Rece Davis Under Fire for “Risk-Free Investment” Sports Betting Quote

• Rece Davis is under fire for commenting on a bet as “Risk-Free” while on an ESPN Bet segment this weekend.
• The American Gambling Association widely discourages the use of the term “Risk-Free” when advertising sportsbooks.
• Rece Davis has put out an apology for his poor choice of words regarding the bet at legal sports betting sites.

BRISTOL, Conn. – Widely known ESPN commentator and personality Rece Davis has been forced to issue a statement because of a comment he made on an ESPN Bet segment regarding a proposed bet by Erin Dolan.

The comment from Davis that led to the statement was:

“Some would call this wagering, gambling the way that you’ve sold this. I think what it is, is a risk-free investment.”

All wagers made at legal sports betting sites that accept US residents are a gamble and can be financially devastating if bettors do not operate with restraint, so to call any bet a “risk-free investment” is clearly an inaccurate statement with potentially catastrophic consequences if taken out of context.

The bet that Dolan had suggested was on the under for the Northwestern team total of 60.5 points at March Madness betting sites. The Wildcats would score 58 points against the UConn Huskies, which means the bet was successful, but the premise that any bet is risk-free is still inaccurate.

Rece Davis acknowledged how that statement was misleading and should have been taken as “tongue-in-cheek” when he posted a statement on X yesterday.

During a segment this morning on @CollegeGameDay,due to @ESPNBet picks hitting yesterday, I joked the advice was more like “risk free investing.” As we all know, such a thing does not exist. Obviously, there are risks. Though I’m not a gambler, I strongly encourage those who do

— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) March 24, 2024

The statement, which was not quite an apology, was likely encouraged by regulators working for ESPN Bet. That is because the American Gambling Association has banned US sportsbooks from saying “Risk-Free”.

For now, it is seen as doubtful that the sports betting comment made by Rece Davis on the bet at legal College Basketball betting sites will lead to any legal action.

News tags: College Basketball | Connecticut | ESPN | ESPN BET | March Madness | Northwestern Wildcats | Rece Davis | UConn Huskies