General Events

In his viral cover story for The Atlantic, “Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler,” McKay Coppins embedded himself inside America’s sports-betting boom—and learned just how dangerous the industry can be. In this lecture, Coppins brought that experience to life, blending personal narrative with reporting to examine how gambling apps are reshaping culture, exploiting behavioral psychology, and seeding institutional distrust. What begins as a funny, immersive story becomes a deeper look at addiction, attention, and the emerging “casino economy.” The lecture explored why young men are especially vulnerable—and how the runaway gambling industry could be reined in.