In a dramatic intersection of sports betting, social media, and athlete well-being, a major online bookmaker has banned a user who publicly gloated over Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas’s loss — claiming he “made her lose” to secure a high-stakes accumulator bet win.
The now-suspended bettor, whose username and account have since been deactivated, drew widespread backlash after posting a screenshot of his five-leg track and field accumulator that hinged on Thomas losing her race in the Diamond League meet. After Thomas finished second, the user took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to gloat: “Told y’all. I made her lose. Thanks for the bag, Gabby 💰💰💰.”
The post quickly went viral, sparking outrage from both fans and fellow athletes who criticized the taunt as disrespectful and potentially harmful. Gabby Thomas, a bronze medalist in the 200 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, responded gracefully but firmly, saying in a follow-up post: “Athletes are not here for your bets. We’re humans first — not pawns in your parlay.”
Thomas’s response sparked a larger conversation about the growing influence of gambling in sports culture — particularly the pressure it places on athletes who are increasingly subjected to taunts, threats, and abuse from bettors whose winnings hinge on their performance.
The betting platform, one of the UK’s largest, moved swiftly to address the situation. In an official statement released Thursday, the company stated: “We have permanently closed the user’s account for violating our terms and promoting harmful conduct. We stand with athletes and condemn any behavior that promotes harassment or online abuse in the name of betting.”
Industry experts say this incident highlights a troubling pattern. As sports betting becomes more mainstream, especially with the rise of in-play and prop bets, some fans are crossing the line — treating athletes less like competitors and more like commodities whose sole purpose is to deliver personal profit.
“This isn’t the first time an athlete has been targeted by gamblers who lost money,” said Dr. Karen Temple, a sports psychologist and researcher at the University of Michigan. “But what’s different now is the visibility. Social media gives bettors a direct line to athletes, and it’s creating a toxic environment.”
In the U.S., where betting is now legal in over 30 states, leagues and teams have begun to respond to this new reality. The NBA and NFL have both launched awareness campaigns and are investing in tools to monitor and report gambling-related abuse directed at players.
Athletes like Thomas are also taking a stand. She has used her platform to speak out against online abuse and advocate for better protections. “It’s fine if you want to bet,” she said in a recent interview, “but don’t forget we’re real people doing our best. What you say — and how you say it — matters.”
As the betting industry continues to grow, incidents like this may force companies and regulators alike to reexamine how to balance consumer engagement with ethical responsibility. For now, Thomas’s message is clear: respect the sport, respect the athletes, and don’t let your bet become someone else’s burden.
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