There was a time when sports betting was widely frowned upon and most major leagues stayed away from it. Well, now is NOT that time. By getting into long-term partnerships with brands like DraftKings and FanDuel, the NBA has tapped into a whole new segment of the audience, who are only worried about hitting their parlays and making some easy bucks. While it’s a good strategy to increase viewership, it can also be a massive headache for players. Ben Simmons and Cameron Johnson revealed exactly how sports betting has affected their lives.

While addressing fan emotions involved with the sport, Cam touched upon the sensitive topic, “I don’t know how much you want to touch on this, but it’s becoming a real thing, especially with like sports betting.”

And his Nets teammate immediately chimed in, saying, “That’s ruining so many games. Like you have fans not even caring about the game like, ‘I need a rebound!’” Simmons’ comment highlights a growing concern among players: the shifting priorities of certain fans. Instead of rooting for their team or appreciating the sport, some spectators seem fixated on individual stats that affect their bets. This shift doesn’t just dilute the spirit of competition—it creates an awkward disconnect between players’ efforts and fans’ expectations.

Moreover, the situation gets risky when players don’t put up the desired stats, as Cam revealed in his shocking confession, “It’s like I came up a rebound short and they’re like threatening me.” Yes, players get a lot of online hate and even potential threats to their lives when they don’t meet bettors’ expectations.

Even the biggest superstars have fallen victim to such cases. Just ask Kevin Durant!

Ever the social media aficionado that he is, KD has become a target for frustrated bettors. His tendency to engage with critics on X adds another layer to his public persona—what might be playful banter for him often turns into a battle between athletes and fans whose stakes are higher than just the game itself. Just two months ago, he called out several fans when they went at him for missing their parlays.

“Stop blaming me for losing money because you have a gambling problem” and “YOU think it’s a game gambling with your life like this every night. Be more responsible,” were some of the responses ‘The Slim Reaper’ dished out. His message wasn’t just directed at frustrated bettors—it was a reminder that athletes like him are not responsible for the financial stakes others place on their performance. In an age where online interactions can become personal, Kevin Durant’s response also reflects the emotional toll that this new era of sports betting can have on players.

While such online banter is part of the sport, Cam’s concerns go much deeper.

Cameron Johnson concerned about “players’ safety” amid the sports betting problem

While online banter is one thing, Johnson is worried about the potential real-world consequences. The idea that bettors could take their frustrations to dangerous levels is a stark reminder of how sports and betting are increasingly intertwined—and how that mix could backfire.

Cam revealed those fears on The Young Man and The Three podcast, “My main concern is like I don’t ever want it to actually infringe on a player’s safety. That’s my main concern.” Absolutely! What if those threats become real someday? It could put the players’ lives in serious jeopardy.

Apart from Kevin Durant, many other stars have addressed their issue with unnecessary hate because of sports betting. Kings star Malik Monk also stated publicly, “Idc bout y’all parlays” even getting a nod from teammate Kevin Huerter, “Respectfully.”

Moreover, Ben Simmons revealed how helpless the players are fighting this problem, “It takes little bit of the joy away just hearing that stuff. But what can we do?” However, fans getting emotional has always been part of the game. Sadly, not much can be done to solve the issue.

The NBA and other leagues have integrated it into their business models, generating revenue that has fundamentally reshaped the fan experience. As much as this might create tension, the money and viewership it generates are too significant for the league to ignore.

Hopefully, the problem will not escalate beyond online banter. What are your thoughts?