I remember my first experience with sports betting; I was so excited to place a bet on my favorite team, thinking it would enhance my enjoyment of the game. Unfortunately, I lost and ended up feeling more stressed than thrilled. It got me wondering: how is the evolution of betting—especially with online platforms and live betting—changing not just our engagement with sports but also our emotional connection to the games? Are we becoming more invested in outcomes because of money involved, or is it just a new way to enjoy the competition?