Common Ground Events

Event Description

A decade ago, sports gambling was illegal in most of the U.S. Today, it is an omnipresent part of American culture. Is legal sports betting a societal danger or does it enhance the fans’ experience? Should we regulate the betting industry or leave it to market forces? Join us as we explore the issues surrounding sports gambling.

Chris Bevilacqua is a sports entertainment, media, and technology entrepreneur, investor, executive, and advisor. He was co-founder and CEO of Simplebet, a data and technology platform designed to drive fan engagement and in-play wagering acquired by DraftKings.

Jonathan D. Cohen leads gambling policy for the American Institute for Boys and Men. He is the author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling (2025) and For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America (2022). 

Moderated by Stephen Wu, Irma M. and Robert D. Morris Professor of Economics, who has conducted research (jointly with Hamilton Economics Department colleagues Cody Couture and Jeffrey Cross) on the health impacts of sports gambling legalization.

The event will be livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot attend in person.

The College is grateful to Mary Helen and Robert Morris ’76, P’16,’17; Eve Niquette and Charles Pohl P’20,’25; Lori and David Hess ’77; Ann and David Hinchcliff ’57, P’85, GP’16,’19; and Kate Pooley ’85 and Monty Pooley ’84, P’16,’19 for their generous support of Common Ground.