The gradual erosion of society’s barriers to gambling has pushed us to the brink of perpetual big-league betting scandals.

Athletes are being caught in scandals, yes, but the bigger scandal is that the ease and prevalence of betting is driving a huge rise in addiction—and neither the leagues nor our politicians care.

Data was a rare source of clarity in the 2008 and 2012 elections. In 2016, it failed catastrophically.

I decided to bet on the sport I love. I lost, even when I won.