Bob Costas Refused to Promote Sports Betting While Calling Baseball

The story of Bob Costas’ father is often viewed through the lens of addiction, illustrating how personal struggles can intersect with the broader culture surrounding sports betting.

As a result, Costas isn’t a fan of sports betting

---

The Origin of Bob Costas’ Opposition to Sports Betting

Costas says he refused to read sports betting promos on air

Broadcasting legend Bob Costas, who retired last year from play-by-play coverage after nearly four decades with NBC Sports, is no fan of gambling and sports betting.

He recently doubled down on that position during a recent interview with Kristen Welker for “Meet the Press.”

Costas’ opposition to sports betting is largely because of his father, John Costas, who suffered from a severe gambling addiction.

Costas has said in the past that his dad was making $500 per game bets on baseball as early as the 1960s when the future broadcaster was only a young teenager.