Fanatics Live - An Observation

[RCCTHREE]

So, A couple weeks ago I created an account on Fanatics Live and saw what the platform is all about.

To start, I'm not against breaking, I have set aside money for bowman draft breaks for years and I think there is a place in the hobby for breaking.

With all that being said.. This platform is pretty toxic, it's literally just gambling? There are big wheel spins and flashing confetti when you land on a team like it's a slot machine in a casino. And there is so much FOMO buying. Fanatics will pop in on streams to encourage people to fill breaks, do giveaways for boxes of cards to keep their clients engaged like they are giving away drinks to big spenders.

For someone like me who likes Bowman, seeing the break prices is insane, to spend thousands on a high end player, you'd have to hit a low numbered auto to MAYBE make your money back? And the checklists are so large the odds of hitting your guy at all, even in a large multi case break, are incredibly slim to begin with.

Apologies for ranting off track a bit, I just want to bring this to attention because this app looks incredibly bad for the hobby long term, and I worry for those who can be extremely compulsive and might fail to see this app for what it is.. just another gambling platform. I'll never be one to tell people how to spend their money, as there can be something said about the entertainment value to breaking, just please don't spend more than you can afford.

Lastly, if you feel you have a problem reach out to someone or call 1-800-GAMBLER

[imbluestreak23]

The next evolution is gonna be naked chix.

I mean it's a spiralling swirl of debauchery. It always ends with having to use sex to sell your product.

"Free virtual lap dance for 10 group break buy ins with a Fanatics Live girl"

Calling it BBases style

[KhalDrogo]

It’s a cesspool for sure. Rubin is a vulture who preys on those who are most vulnerable.

[rms13]

Sounds like every other break I've been in

[ThoseBackPages]

welcome to Fanatics TV!

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Doesn’t interest me in the slightest, and nothing I’ve heard has changed that.

[jcfill]

Very original thoughts thanks for posting

[Trueblue]

I dont think we hear enough about how gambling/wax/break addictions have ruined people's lives. It's not uncommon - we give idiots large credit lines in the US.

[anusinha]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

welcome to Fanatics TV!

Next up on Fanatics Live, "Ow my Balls!"

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by anusinha

Next up on Fanatics Live, "Ow my Balls!"

But first a word from our sponsor The Fanatics America Express card!

“The Fanatics American Express Card. Don’t take a loss without it, bro.”

[JWBlue]

Originally Posted by Trueblue

I dont think we hear enough about how gambling/wax/break addictions have ruined people's lives. It's not uncommon -

Is this hyperbole? Are there stories people have told?

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by JWBlue

Is this really true? Are there stories people have told?

I’ve seen a few on here. Who knows if they’re true or not. I think a few of them are. I don’t think it happens as often as much as some people on here want it to. Gambling addiction is a real thing though.

[RCCTHREE]

Originally Posted by JWBlue

Is this hyperbole? Are there stories people have told?

I think if you go back far enough you'll see some "breakers anonymous" posts where people divulge they have spent an unhealthy amount and the rush has kept them in. Addiction manifests in many forms.

[RCCTHREE]

Originally Posted by jcfill

Very original thoughts thanks for posting

I get it, in many other posts this is something that has been touched on. And by no means was I trying to bring you some "hot take". I just feel as if this hasn't been talked about enough since the app went live, at least not that I've seen. And I do worry about the direction the hobby is headed in. Box prices keep increasing, the LCS continues to get less in their allocation each season and now it's really looking like apps like whatnot and Fanatics Live are making the push to be the main way to get into/stay in the hobby.

Not to give you a boomer take but 20 years ago I'd be able to umpire a couple games a week in between playing baseball, and with that money I'd ride my bike to the card shop and be able to buy a full hobby box of something and make trades for other items in store. I just don't see how that is even a possibility for kids these days and it really bums me out. That just doesn't feel good for the hobby.

[Trueblue]

Originally Posted by JWBlue

Is this hyperbole? Are there stories people have told?

The internet is not a place where people prefer to list their failures. While there have been some internet famous fail stories, I am willing to wager that five figure credit card debt from wax breaking is not uncommon. It's the same logic of losing 3 hands of blackjack in a row (or buying three team breaks) and busting. Something's gotta give, right?!

Another factor is that kids can get a credit card at 18, but can't officially gamble until 21 (in most states). Breaks are okay, though

[boxbuster7]

Card addiction is definitely real. If it can happen to an FBI agent, it can happen to anybody.

[bub838]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

But first a word from our sponsor The Fanatics America Express card!

“The Fanatics American Express Card. Don’t take a loss without it, bro.”

A fanatics credit card has to be on their roadmap.

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by bub838

A fanatics credit card has to be on their roadmap.

https://www.fanatics.com/fancash-rewards-card/ch-2237

[ottobord]

I thought by now legislation would have kicked in and gambling laws would be in effect. Some politician will eventually need some legislation under their name. We will see

[Cavs16]

Don’t worry this administration will just pay for peoples gambling debts like they did for school loan debt. And those who are prudent and disciplined with their money will have to pay for it all.

[cj828282]

Looking a whole lot like the advertising strategies of the tobacco companies 40-50 years ago to get the younger population to try out their products. Does not work so much on older people because most know better.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by cj828282

Looking a whole lot like the advertising strategies of the tobacco companies 40-50 years ago to get the younger population to try out their products. Does not work so much on older people because most know better.

I don’t think that’s true. Older people just don’t have the same tolerance of sitting in front of a screen watching morons yell for hours on end.

[hermanotarjeta]

Op I’m glad you brought this up again.

Degenerate gambling has existed since online group breaking began over a decade ago but still nobody wants to talk about.

Many still get offended when they get the impression people are trying to tell other people how they should spend their money. It’s fine when your gambling addiction doesn’t impact your ability to function in society, but when it starts to affect your personal life and responsibilities, someone should point this out to prevent others from falling down the spiral of self destruction and the collective moral decay of the fabric of society.

Oh but wait, their money, their immunity to criticism and judgment.

[mikejones]

Didn't read much of the post except the first couple of sentences. OP complains about breakers but set aside money for breakers. That's the problem, don't break at all with breakers and it's solved. People complain about breakers and continue to break with them. It's like I know Crack is one hell of a drug but I'll be the first to light up.

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by Trueblue

The internet is not a place where people prefer to list their failures. While there have been some internet famous fail stories, I am willing to wager that five figure credit card debt from wax breaking is not uncommon. It's the same logic of losing 3 hands of blackjack in a row (or buying three team breaks) and busting. Something's gotta give, right?!

Another factor is that kids can get a credit card at 18, but can't officially gamble until 21 (in most states). Breaks are okay, though

I dropped over $2,500 on Project 2020 cards and I bought them as "investments", so I didn't sell and make the quick flip. Now I'm trying to unload them for, at best, 25% of what I paid. Probably the biggest failure I've had in the hobby.

Also spent $480 on a Tatis paper gold two years ago and just sold it for $120.