The growth of legal online sports betting has made fans feel more connected to athletes. But sometimes players can be negatively affected by people betting on the games they are playing.
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher is the latest professional athlete to endure the wrath of a salty fan.
During an interview with Yahoo Sports Canada, Boucher recalled a time when he received a disgusting message after a fan lost a parlay.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors warms up before their NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
«The betting isn’t going to make it any better now, with the parlays and all… Someone said, ‘I picked the wrong slave today.’ He literally sent me that message… Because I only had 5 points and he needed me to score 10.» Boucher said.
TIMBERWOLVES’ RUDY GOBERT FINED $25K AFTER ACCUSING REFEREES OF MAKING CALLS TO HELP OTHER TEAMS
Boucher or any other player certainly shouldn’t be subject to those kinds of messages. As more states legalize sports betting, it is likely that more fans will participate in legal online gambling.
Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors scores on a dunk in the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 6, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Many gamblers use sports betting just for fun, but messages like the one Boucher received certainly have a negative impact.
Boucher went on to explain how the hate message affected his gaming experience.
«The players now don’t really have that many fans. We’re lucky to be in Toronto and we have the best fans. Imagine if you get messages like this now that you don’t really… know if that person is really talking to you. ‘I need you to score 10 today ‘Do I really want to talk to you now?… If I roll an 8 you’re going to burn down my Twitter, my Instagram, my everything,” Boucher said.
Sports betting is becoming part of the daily sports conversation. Virtually all scores are accompanied by some form of betting odds. However, with the access that social media provides, some fans seem to be under the impression that they can say almost anything to athletes.
Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 31, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
On the court, Boucher and the Raptors battle for a playoff spot. Toronto is 38-39 and is currently ranked No. 9 in the Eastern Conference standings.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Raptors will likely have to compete in the NBA play-in tournament, which begins on April 11.