Why Is Everything Gambling Now?

Betting has infiltrated nearly every part of our culture. Attending a sporting event?

You’re surrounded by ads for DraftKings and FanDuel. Watching the Oscars?

You can bet on that too. There’s even a market for betting on the upcoming midterm elections.

No matter where you look, betting is everywhere. Sam is joined by tech journalist Max Read to unpack how gambling became omnipresent, how prediction markets are already influencing the entertainment we consume, and what we stand to lose as a culture in a world that rewards algorithmic slop.

Max’s latest piece in the New York Times Magazine is titled “How Everything Became Gambling.” He’s also hosting the ‘ Hard Fork ’ podcast. Check out more reporting in his ‘ Read Max ’ newsletter.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.