When Brooke Rollins, associate professor of English, noticed a shift in the cultural conversation around gambling, it became impossible to ignore. What was once a contained, secretive, and countercultural activity has evolved into a dominant cultural logic — one that now shapes how people make decisions in their everyday lives.
This cultural shift is a recent development. In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, opening the door to legalized sports betting. Within just a few years, 38 states and the District of Columbia had embraced it. Last year, Americans legally wagered nearly $150 billion, most of it from the casual comfort of their phones.
“The openness with which people started moving into this realm was really remarkable,” says Rollins. “When something like gambling is infused into modern culture, our structures of thought begin to change. People start thinking about their decisions as bets.”
Spotlight Recipient
Brooke Rollins
Associate Professor