Summary
- Two major tennis organizations have raised concerns about the mistreatment of female tennis players.
- The ITF and WTA have called on gambling companies to intensify their efforts to combat online hate.
- Gambling operators are responding to the call to action and have announced they will suspend offenders.
The global betting market is thriving with no signs of a decline in enthusiasm anytime soon. From college sports and esports to mainstream sports competitions, there is plenty of activity. Fans have the chance to celebrate the victories of their favorite teams or players, empathize with their losses, and sometimes even make some extra money.
Female tennis players are particularly likely to be abused
With the unprecedented excitement surrounding the legalization of sports betting, several pressing issues have emerged, acknowledge the leaders of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). An internal report by these organizations has revealed that in 2024 alone, 458 players received abusive messages and threats. Katie Boulter, a prominent British and global tennis player, has faced disturbing messages suggesting she should arrange candles for herself and her family. According to the Signify Group, which contributed to the report, roughly 40% of these messages are from social media users upset over losing a bet, whether because the player lost, or, as Boulter noted, even when the player won. In response, some progress is being made. The report indicates that at least 15 identified online abusers have been reported to authorities. Furthermore, more events are implementing bans on individuals who heckle or have threatened players in the past. The WTA and ITF are actively working with gambling companies to enforce a straightforward policy: if you abuse tennis players, your gambling account will be suspended, without exception.
Proportionate measures are taken to respond to abusers
Although this is a promising step in addressing the problem, the WTA and ITF believe much of the current abuse stems from a lack of understanding about the impact of such actions on players. Consequently, these organizations have urged gambling companies to launch and promote campaigns aimed at explaining online abuse and educating their customers on this issue. FanDuel has already taken action by updating its terms and conditions to ban users from its platform when it determines that they have harassed sports figures, including players, as well as coaches, officials, and other participants. The NCAA has raised similar concerns, noting that female athletes are particularly targeted by angry bettors. To combat this, the NCAA has proposed banning prop bets on college sports as part of the solution, and to prosecute those who threaten athletes by involving law enforcement. The widespread legalization of sports betting has exposed some negative behaviors among gamblers. However, the industry's response has been resolute—abuse will not be tolerated. That's a certainty you can count on.
