Rece Davis released a statement through X on Sunday following backlash for his comments on ESPN’s “College GameDay” earlier that day.
During a segment with Erin Dolan for ESPN Bet, where Dolan provided her gambling picks for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second-round games, Davis made a remark regarding the nature of the picks. Dolan had analyzed the UConn-Northwestern game and suggested taking the under for the point total.
Davis commented, “You know what, some would call this wagering, gambling. I think the way you’ve sold this, I think what it is, is risk-free investment.”
However, Davis received criticism for characterizing Dolan’s picks as “risk-free investment,” considering the inherent risks involved in gambling. In response, he issued a statement on X to clarify his remarks.
“During a segment this morning on @CollegeGameDay, due to @ESPNBet picks hitting yesterday, I joked the advice was more like ‘risk-free investing.’ As we all know, such a thing does not exist. Obviously, there are risks. Though I’m not a gambler, I strongly encourage those who do partake, do so with prudence, care, caution, fiscal and personal responsibility and never over-extend. Sports are unpredictable. Wagering is tricky. So let’s agree to manage monetary risks appropriately. I’m sure most recognized my comment was tongue-in-cheek. Just to clarify,” Davis wrote on X.
RELATED: Sports Bettor Alleges Sportsbook Took Winnings After Owing Money For Child Support
Although Davis’ comments were akin to someone describing a pick as a “lock” and advising others to “bet the house on it,” there are strict regulations requiring sports betting advertisements to include disclaimers highlighting the associated risks.
In a separate incident, Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly accumulated a $4.5 million gambling debt, leading to his dismissal and potentially legal consequences for both him and Ohtani.
It’s a stark reminder that most individuals who engage in gambling end up losing money, and in severe cases like Mizuhara’s, they may face significant personal and financial repercussions beyond mere monetary loss.
