In partnership with
Hey, it’s Steve from Feasible Creative — your weekly shortcut to smarter money moves.
🎉 Giveaway: Win a full year of Quicken Simplifi. Fill out the quick form below to enter:
MONEY MISTAKES
Making a Big Bet
Sports betting can be entertaining, but it’s also addictive and can wreck your finances (especially when placing a bet is as easy as tapping your phone).
Today, I’ll explain why sports betting has surged in popularity and how it’s quietly draining Americans’ bank accounts.
Go Birds!
The Rise of Sports Betting
Before 2018, sports betting was illegal in most states under federal law through PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992). In 2018, however, the Supreme Court overturned PASPA, giving states the right to legalize it.
Today, sports betting is everywhere. Almost 40 states have legalized it, and about half of American men under 50 have registered with an online sportsbook. You can literally pull out your phone and place a bet in seconds. No casino needed.
Sports betting can be fun, but nearly every feature is engineered to keep you betting (and losing).
Hear from leaders at Anthropic, Rocket Money, and more at Pioneer
Pioneer is a summit for the brightest minds in AI customer service to connect, learn, and inspire one another, exploring the latest opportunities and challenges transforming service with AI Agents.
Hear directly from leaders at Anthropic, [solidcore], Rocket Money, and more about how their teams customize, test, and continuously improve Fin across every channel. You’ll take away proven best practices and practical playbooks you can put into action immediately.
See how today’s service leaders are cultivating smarter support systems, and why the future of customer service will never be the same.
Marketing Manipulation
Sportsbooks hook users with psychological tricks. People love the thrill of uncertainty and believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge, so betting feels like skill rather than chance.
The most effective lure tends to be the “free bets” and sign-up bonuses. “Deposit $5 and get $200 instantly!” sounds great until you realize the house always wins in the long run. These “free” bets are offered to get you hooked so you keep depositing your funds.
Celebrity endorsements even make it seem safe and fun. If Travis and Jason Kelce promote it, how risky could it be?
Add in the limited-time offers and live in-game betting and you suddenly can’t stop gambling.
Your Wallet Impact
Bettors spend an average of $1,100 per year on online bets. Many spend significantly more based on what I’ve researched and heard from friends. In short, this is a budget killer.
The Bottom Line
Sportsbooks are businesses that exist to make money. They use marketing techniques to lure you in and profit from your losses. Enjoy the games, limit the betting, and you should be good to go.
Reply and let me know what you think! I read every email.
Ask: Forward this newsletter to someone who could use the help!
New here? Subscribe to get future newsletters.
Talk Soon,
Steve
What did you think about today's newsletter?
RESOURCES
Creative Fuel
YOUTUBE
In Case You Missed It
Check out my thoughts on the free Empower Personal Dashboard. This is my favorite net worth tracking tool I use on a regular basis.
“Nothing ever turns out the way people expect it to.” - Barry Sanders
Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any financial decisions. This newsletter may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of US who are 18+. Enter by completing questionnaire. Giveaway ends October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. Winner selected randomly and notified by email by November 1, 2025. Prize: One year Quicken Simplifi subscription (ARV: $36). Void where prohibited.
Empower Personal Wealth, LLC (“EPW”) compensates Feasible Creative LLC for new leads. Feasible Creative LLC is not an investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Empower Advisory Group, LLC.