In the past 5 years I’ve been to Vegas & Atlantic City 7 times for conferences and music festivals. Never had any interest in gambling, except $20 in video blackjack on the most recent trip.

At the end of the summer I dipped my toe in Polymarket while watching the US Open (the only sporting event that interest me). In a week and I half I nearly lost 2 months salary. Found myself up at 3AM betting not just on tennis, but also on random sports that seemed like a “sure thing.” And not just on Polymarket, but Kalshi too.

The dark patterns involved in prediction markets are real and terrifying. Washed my hands of that, but woof.