Sports betting is everywhere, and Drew says: let’s pump the brakes and talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface.

 

 

😵 The Stats Will Astound You:

 

23% spike in online searches for gambling addiction in just 5 years 😳

 

Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. households are now doing online betting

 

Average yearly bet: $1,100. That’s not chump change; that's rent money, grocery money, or your kid’s tuition 💸

 

Drew welcomes Les Bernal, the national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, and man… he does not hold back.

 

 

Les shares truth:

 

What we’re seeing isn’t grandma’s bingo night. This is predatory, for-profit, industrial-scale gambling.

 

These companies don’t want a friendly wager; they want to keep you in action 24/7. Literally. Like, betting on table tennis in Belarus at 2 a.m. levels of insanity. 😳🏓

 

Oh yeah, and guess what? Your state is probably partnering with these companies. 🏛️ + 🎰 = 😵

 

 

🎯 The Real Cost: Not Just Money

 

Les brings it home:

 

This isn’t just financial; it’s emotional, spiritual, and relational.

 

Teens are calling addiction hotlines with their moms. Kids are gambling before they can even legally drink. 🧒📱

 

Here’s the gut punch: over $1 TRILLION in personal wealth will be lost over the next 5 years. That’s $300,000 a minute. Let that marinate. 

 

 

So, What Can You Do?

 

Talk to your reps. This stuff’s being done in our name, and it’s wrecking families.

 

 

🙏 The Catholic Angle

 

Drew reminds us: The Church doesn’t condemn gambling outright, but it does say it becomes morally unacceptable when it robs people of what they need to live or harms others. 💔

 

So yeah, your NCAA bracket? Totally fine. But DraftKings blowing up your credit card and pulling your marriage apart? That’s a no-go. 🚫💔


Gambling can be innocent... but the way it’s being shoved into our phones, our families, and our faith lives right now? It’s more like spiritual warfare disguised as a “harmless app.” 📲

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Sports betting is everywhere, and Drew says: let&rsquo;s pump the brakes and talk about what&rsquo;s really going on beneath the surface.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="860" data-end="863">
&nbsp;
😵 The Stats Will Astound You:
&nbsp;
23% spike in online searches for gambling addiction in just 5 years 😳
&nbsp;
Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. households are now doing online betting
&nbsp;
Average yearly bet: $1,100. That&rsquo;s not chump change; that's&nbsp;rent money, grocery money, or your kid&rsquo;s tuition 💸
&nbsp;
Drew welcomes Les Bernal, the national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, and man&hellip; he does not hold back.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1334" data-end="1337">
&nbsp;
Les shares truth:
&nbsp;
What we&rsquo;re seeing isn&rsquo;t grandma&rsquo;s bingo night. This is predatory, for-profit, industrial-scale gambling.
&nbsp;
These companies don&rsquo;t want a friendly wager; they want to&nbsp;keep you in action 24/7. Literally. Like, betting on table tennis in Belarus at 2 a.m. levels of insanity. 😳🏓
&nbsp;
Oh yeah, and guess what? Your state is probably&nbsp;partnering with these companies. 🏛️ + 🎰 = 😵
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1903" data-end="1906">
&nbsp;
🎯 The Real Cost: Not Just Money
&nbsp;
Les brings it home:
&nbsp;
This isn&rsquo;t just financial; it&rsquo;s emotional, spiritual, and relational.
&nbsp;
Teens are calling addiction hotlines with their moms. Kids are gambling before they can even legally drink. 🧒📱
&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s the gut punch: over $1 TRILLION in personal wealth will be lost over the next 5 years. That&rsquo;s $300,000 a minute. Let that marinate.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2322" data-end="2325">
&nbsp;
So, What Can You Do?
&nbsp;
Talk to your reps. This stuff&rsquo;s being done in our name, and it&rsquo;s wrecking families.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2642" data-end="2645">
&nbsp;
🙏 The Catholic Angle
&nbsp;
Drew reminds us: The Church doesn&rsquo;t condemn gambling outright, but it does say it becomes morally unacceptable when it robs people of what they need to live or harms others. 💔
&nbsp;
So yeah, your NCAA bracket? Totally fine. But DraftKings blowing up your credit card and pulling your marriage apart? That&rsquo;s a no-go. 🚫💔
 Gambling can be innocent... but the way it&rsquo;s being shoved into our phones, our families, and our faith lives right now? It&rsquo;s more like spiritual warfare disguised as a &ldquo;harmless app.&rdquo; 📲
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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