

Nguyen found the online gambling ads “depend on a twisted sense of FOMO” in which viewers worry about missing out on free money while watching the sports competition they tuned in to see. For instance, DraftKings gave new customers a free fourth-quarter bet, and FanDuel lured new users by offering the chance to wager $5 for the chance to win $280. These companies' Super Bowl ads often ran special promotions for those who registered during the game. The online sports-betting platforms DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook relentlessly advertised their services in an industry that is growing rapidly as thirty states have legalized online gambling, and many others will likely follow (Yakowicz). Both industries spent heavily to air ads in an effort to gain legitimacy and overcome their shady reputations. The preponderance of commercials for online gambling platforms and cryptocurrency dominated the advertising.

It was not the Cincinnati Bengals and not the Los Angeles Rams: the real winner was money. The day after the 2022 Super Bowl, a Vox article by Terry Nguyen announced the winner. Fortune May Not Favor the Brave: The Dangerous Combination of Online Gambling and Cryptocurrency
