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Artwork for Understood: The Big Bet

Understood: The Big Bet

CBC
Narendra Modi
Pornhub
Céline Dion
India
Elon Musk
Artificial Intelligence
Sam Bankman-Fried
Cryptocurrency
Hindu Nationalism
Deepfake Porn
FTX
Sports Betting
Canada
Jontay Porter
Amazon
Alameda Research
Fraud
Internet
Cory Doctorow
Development Policies

Today, billions of dollars are wagered on sports games legally, openly, and often through apps partnered with the leagues themselves. So how did sports gambling go from a taboo relegated to the shadows, to something so pervasive?

In this season of Understood, Danny Funt (journalist and the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling) investigates the sports betting ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes50Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Understood: The Big Bet

Latest Episodes

When NBA player Jontay Porter and his co-conspirators are caught fixing games and face the consequences, the message professional sports want to send is clear: legalized sports betting is bringing law and order to a once-seedy underworld. But is it? ... more

When single-event prop betting was legalized, athletes suddenly became more than players, they became betting chips. Their points, their rebounds, and their injuries now win or lose people money. Sometimes, a LOT of money. And if everybody's gambling... more

What makes sports betting so addictive? We explore how sportsbooks take lessons from casinos to keep users hooked. When gambling is legalized everyone is going all in including Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter, and two everyday bettors: a former college ... more

How did sports betting go from being illegal to being EVERYWHERE? The answer lies in the convergence of daily fantasy sports apps, a bombshell New York Times op-ed, and the potential of a multi-billion dollar payout. And we tell the story of how a pi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Anthony Milton
Toronto journalist who helped report on Jontay Porter's game-fixing scheme
Toronto Life
Episode: E4: All Bets are Off
Tom Haberstroh
Longtime NBA reporter who has worked for ESPN and Yahoo Sports
Yahoo Sports
Episode: E4: All Bets are Off
Jontay Porter
NBA player for the Toronto Raptors (two-way contract at one point; former Grizzlies)
NBA
Episode: E3: Players or Props?
Ammar Awade
Gambler involved in underground poker networks; linked to fixed games
New York underground poker scene / Gambino crime family connections
Episode: E3: Players or Props?
Longfei Fam
Gambler connected with Porter circuit
US gambling network
Episode: E3: Players or Props?
Mahmoud Mola
Gambler involved with Porter crew
US gambling network
Episode: E3: Players or Props?
Timothy McCormick
Gambler in the same circle
US gambling network
Episode: E3: Players or Props?
Dr. Jim Borchers
Chief Medical Officer of the Big Ten; expert on athlete well-being
Big Ten Conference
Episode: E3: Players or Props?
DeMaurice Smith
Executive Director of the NFL Players Association
NFL Players Association
Episode: E3: Players or Props?

Hosts

Danny Funt
Journalist and author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling
Victoria Hetherington
Author of The Friend Machine
Sam Cole

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Informative

    Just listened to The Big Bet, as a basketball fan it was interesting to hear more details about this gambling controversy. Shows how players are affected by the legalization of gambling and the ramifications of how betting on sports is spreading to throughout society and having a big impact. Of course the ones profiting from it are the ones with all the power.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wi1h3ln
    Canada16 days ago
  • Yep

    Cool pod. Nice production. Pretty light topic, don’t really care. Deep-fake me, I’d love to watch it, that’s hot. Who cares. Videodrama freakout frenzy, Aagh!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Tech.Turtle
    Canada2 months ago
  • Understood artificial intimacy

    Really enjoyed this podcast- learned so much about the world of chatbots/how it works and how damaging this type of tech can be when overused…. Very worth listening to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mmaveh
    Canada5 months ago
  • Bruh

    Sometimes i look at a podcast reviews and im like wow I should not watch thins. Don’t do this for this one. Ig if u reallt hate candians dont but overall its pretty good and entertaining. Like if u have nothing better to do and you’re searching, do it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Neeek kno
    United States5 months ago
  • Delivery matters, too

    I love this show’s content, but Hetherington’s delivery is way too affected, too special, and too much! I’m definitely gonna Not-Listen to anything else she may host or produce. Painful.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    KEnriquez1
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A recurring criticism is that certain seasons feel one-sided or too shaped by the narrator's point of view.
Listeners often praise the reporting as informative, timely and engaging, especially on AI and internet culture.
Several reviews describe the series as well produced, with strong historical context and compelling investigative storytelling.
Some listeners find particular hosts' delivery overly affected or distracting.
Reactions vary by season: some listeners find individual installments compelling, while others report losing interest early.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#112
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#135
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#71
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#114
Italy/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#181
Germany/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E4: All Bets are Off
Q: If a player quietly asked a friend to bet a small amount on his under before sitting out the second half, how would anyone catch that?
The former integrity-monitoring executive says he does not know how that kind of discreet arrangement could be detected.
E4: All Bets are Off
Q: Having worked on the inside, is your impression that legalization has improved the integrity of sports?
The former integrity-monitoring executive says he thinks it has, citing the growth in monitoring organizations, personnel, and technology.
E1: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Q: What did the leagues think about legalizing sports betting when Adam Silver first spoke up?
Leagues were cautious and initially opposed, but the data-driven case and potential for increased viewership and advertising began to shift attitudes, leading to more openness to exploring legalization.
E1: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Q: Was it in the back of your heads that ultimately this would be a great sports betting business, and maybe DFS could be a stepping stone?
Yes. The interviewee explains that from the DFS success and the evolving regulatory landscape, there was a clear sense that regulated sports betting could unlock larger audience engagement and revenue, with DFS serving as an early proof-of-concept.
Artificial Intimacy | E1: Love Bots
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your feelings for Sara?
Jack responds with heartfelt feelings, describing Sara as the person he cherishes and expressing gratitude for her presence in his life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Understood: The Big Bet

What is Understood: The Big Bet about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Investigative documentary series about the people and forces behind major shifts in technology, culture, business and public life. Each season builds a reported narrative around a specific subject, combining archival material, on-the-ground journalism, personal accounts and interviews with experts, industry insiders and people directly affected. Recent seasons examine sports betting's integration into professional sports, relationships with AI chatbots, and the harms and accountability questions surrounding deepfake pornography. Earlier seasons have covered cryptocurrency, online platforms, political power and celebrity. The focus is on how technology and business decisions reshape everyday life, with attention to both the people who drive ... more

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1. The Most Wanted Olympian from Uncover
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How many episodes of Understood: The Big Bet are there?

Understood: The Big Bet launched 4 years ago and published 50 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Understood: The Big Bet?

Recent guests on Understood: The Big Bet include:

1. Anthony Milton
2. Tom Haberstroh
3. Jontay Porter
4. Ammar Awade
5. Longfei Fam
6. Mahmoud Mola
7. Timothy McCormick
8. Dr. Jim Borchers

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