Little League Urges End to Offshore Betting on Kids’ World Series Games
Little League International released a statement emphasizing that youth sports should remain a safe space without gambling, where children ages 10 to 12 can develop their skills and enjoy the game The Little League World Series (LLWS)has made a forceful plea to fans to quit betting on its games, saying this practice does harm and does not suit the tournament as it kicks off its second week in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. On Thursday, Little League Internationalput out a statement. It stressed that youth sports should stay a safe placewhere players ages 10 to 12 can build skills and have fun playing without the extra stress from gambling. Officials said that betting on kids’ games weakens the event’s honesty and ngakes advantage of young athletes’ ups and downs to make money. US-regulated sportsbooksdo not offer bets on youth competitions. They follow state laws that ban gambling on athletes under 18. However, offshore operators like BetOnlinein Panama and Bovada in Costa Rica still post odds. These companies, which do not have US licenses, have promoted betting lines for the LLWS for years, despite legal challenges. Dave Mason, who speaks for BetOnline, says that in some markets, people want to bet on LLWS games as much as on major professional sports. He claims bettors place more wagers on these games than on professional tennis or soccer during the same time. Betting on the games has sparked strong criticism from team managers and youth sports supporters. Coaches call the practice “distasteful,”stressing that the tournament aims to celebrate community pride and good sportsmanship, not to make money from gambling. Hawaii team manager Gerald Odabelieves Little League’s core is about the kids’ happiness and innocence, which he worries gambling might spoil. Experts have voiced worries about how betting might affect players. Jon Solomonfrom the Aspen Institute’s Project Play program highlighted studies showing that many kids know when grown-ups bet on their games, reported The Daily News. This adds extra stress to do well. He cautioned that this trend could echo the abuse seen in professional sports, where athletes sometimes get threats from angry gamblers. Since the U. Supreme Court decided to make sports betting legal at the state level in 2018, gambling has become more common. Ads now flood broadcasts and major leagues team up with betting companies. However, Little League has kept a firm position. It bans any sponsorships related to gambling and asks fans to respect the limits of youth sports. The LLWS, which includes 20 teamsfrom across the world, will end with its championship game on August 24. Event planners hope that by talking openly, they can protect young players from the shadier aspects of the growing sports betting business.
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