Swipe. Bet. Repeat: Sports Betting, Fan Culture, and the Slippery Slope We’re Ignoring

Sports betting is everywhere, and it’s changing more than just how we watch the game. In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker Deborah Wainwright, director of the documentary Swipe. Bet. Repeat., to talk about the rapid rise of app-based sports betting, how it’s reshaping fan behaviour, and why athletes are increasingly becoming the face of wins, losses, and even threats.
We dig into how betting apps have blurred the line between fandom and gambling, why prop bets have shifted the psychology of watching sports, and what happens when money turns players into investments. We also talk about why Deb chose to centre women bettors in the film, what she learned about community and risk, and why the idea that “the house always wins” still holds true.
If you’ve ever placed a bet, thought about placing one, or wondered how this all got so big so fast, this conversation will change how you watch your next game

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices