In a recent Q&A with Gambling Insider, Jonathan Cohen, the sports betting policy lead at the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM), elaborated on his organization's goals, the decline of trust in American gambling, and the necessity for improved regulations within the industry.
Cohen emphasized that a regulated gambling market is preferable to an unregulated one, noting that while regulated options have their flaws, companies like DraftKings and FanDuel provide a level of accountability that significantly surpasses that of illegal operators in the black and gray markets.
He stated, “We are striving to establish a standard for advocates to consider the illegal market seriously. If you are concerned about the welfare of boys and men, you must pay attention to operators like Stake and Fliff, which have faced bans in multiple states. These offshore and illegal providers are undoubtedly detrimental to young men.”
Having spent a few months in his role at AIBM, Cohen is not only an advocate but also an academic and the author of two books focused on U.S. gambling policy. He has gained recognition in the gambling sector and has been featured in mainstream discussions regarding the rapid expansion of gambling in the U.S. Recently, he appeared in a PBS episode titled “Breaking the Deadlock: Gambling With Your Life” and participated in a prediction market discussion hosted by the Brookings Institution.
Outside of his work in gambling policy, Cohen balances family life with two young children and a doctor wife. During his interview with Gambling Insider, he shared his thoughts on publishing, gambling policies, and the intriguing world of prediction markets.
Cohen reflected on his journey into sports gambling, stating, “I transitioned from studying the lottery system to sports gambling as public interest surged. I wanted to explore this shift further through writing.” He expressed relief that someone else is tackling the topic of prediction markets, admitting he is uncertain about his future writing endeavors, especially with two children to care for.
He noted a concerning trend: “People seem to lack the attention span for anything longer than seven seconds. Fewer individuals are reading, particularly nonfiction. However, books still hold value as a credentialing tool. My appearance on The Daily Show was possible because I authored a book on sports gambling; it’s almost a prerequisite for being taken seriously in discussions.”