David Gambacorta
@dgambacorta.bsky.social
Writer @ The Philadelphia Inquirer and other fine publications. Send coffee.
https://www.dgambacorta.com
https://www.dgambacorta.com
The repercussions of nearly unlimited access to gambling and prediction markets have become impossible to ignore, especially in Pennsylvania — which led the U.S. in online gambling revenue in 2025.
A deep dive into addiction, loss, and a growing backlash, w/ @wbender99.bsky.social
A deep dive into addiction, loss, and a growing backlash, w/ @wbender99.bsky.social
In Pennsylvania, the epicenter of online gambling, anger over addiction and loss fuels a backlash
“The casino itself has expanded basically into infinity,” a UCLA addiction expert said.
www.inquirer.com
October 4, 2026 at 2:42 PM
The repercussions of nearly unlimited access to gambling and prediction markets have become impossible to ignore, especially in Pennsylvania — which led the U.S. in online gambling revenue in 2025.
A deep dive into addiction, loss, and a growing backlash, w/ @wbender99.bsky.social
A deep dive into addiction, loss, and a growing backlash, w/ @wbender99.bsky.social
In a recent letter to three members of Congress, a FanDuel executive wrote that the company has sent approximately 30 personalized videos of athletes and entertainers to customers over the last two years.
The company said such loyalty rewards aren’t used to encourage more gambling. Read their note:
The company said such loyalty rewards aren’t used to encourage more gambling. Read their note:
FanDuel tells Congress it has sent about 30 personalized videos of athletes and entertainers to customers
The sportsbook said customer loyalty rewards and programs are not meant to encourage additional gambling.
www.inquirer.com
October 1, 2026 at 3:11 PM
In a recent letter to three members of Congress, a FanDuel executive wrote that the company has sent approximately 30 personalized videos of athletes and entertainers to customers over the last two years.
The company said such loyalty rewards aren’t used to encourage more gambling. Read their note:
The company said such loyalty rewards aren’t used to encourage more gambling. Read their note:
When Chris Christie was New Jersey’s governor, he ignited a legal saga that made the modern sports betting industry possible.
Talked to Christie recently about that case, the Trump family’s involvement in prediction markets, and why Christie thinks pro sports owe him a thank you.
Talked to Christie recently about that case, the Trump family’s involvement in prediction markets, and why Christie thinks pro sports owe him a thank you.
Former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie discusses his legacy as the godfather of legal sports betting, prediction markets, and the Trumps
"I’m still waiting for the statue that they’re going to build of me, or the thank-you note."
www.inquirer.com
September 1, 2026 at 1:56 PM
When Chris Christie was New Jersey’s governor, he ignited a legal saga that made the modern sports betting industry possible.
Talked to Christie recently about that case, the Trump family’s involvement in prediction markets, and why Christie thinks pro sports owe him a thank you.
Talked to Christie recently about that case, the Trump family’s involvement in prediction markets, and why Christie thinks pro sports owe him a thank you.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are working on a bill that could seek to ban in-game microbets, and curtail the kinds of VIP programs that were at the heart of the Bryce Harper/FanDuel controversy.
A sportsbook advocacy group tells me the industry will likely oppose such restrictions.
A sportsbook advocacy group tells me the industry will likely oppose such restrictions.
To reduce problem gambling, Pa. commission recommends enacting some strict prohibitions. Don’t bet on it, sportsbook alliance says.
State legislators want to curtail sportsbook products that some believe fuel addiction. The industry disputes such characterizations.
www.inquirer.com
July 23, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Pennsylvania lawmakers are working on a bill that could seek to ban in-game microbets, and curtail the kinds of VIP programs that were at the heart of the Bryce Harper/FanDuel controversy.
A sportsbook advocacy group tells me the industry will likely oppose such restrictions.
A sportsbook advocacy group tells me the industry will likely oppose such restrictions.
Reposted by David Gambacorta
In Defense of a Little Loneliness: my essay on #maleloneliness for @outsidemag.bsky.social
www.outsideonline.com/culture/essa...
www.outsideonline.com/culture/essa...
Did I Find a Cure for Male Loneliness? No, But I Found a Way to Embrace Solitude in the Wild.
After my divorce, I traveled to Alaska for healing and inspiration, following the footsteps of a legendary outdoorsman. What I discovered about the “male loneliness epidemic” wasn’t a cure—it was a wa...
www.outsideonline.com
July 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM
In Defense of a Little Loneliness: my essay on #maleloneliness for @outsidemag.bsky.social
www.outsideonline.com/culture/essa...
www.outsideonline.com/culture/essa...
Reposted by David Gambacorta
Bryce Harper, the Phillies All-Star first basemen, claimed on Monday that he was deceived by FanDuel when he recorded a personalized video for a man with a gambling addiction who had placed millions of dollars in bets on the site. (1/3)
Bryce Harper responds to controversy over his video that went to a FanDuel customer with a gambling addiction
The All-Star first baseman claims he didn't know FanDuel would use the video for commercial purposes. But he mentions the company in the 21-second video he made for a VIP gambler.
www.inquirer.com
July 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Bryce Harper, the Phillies All-Star first basemen, claimed on Monday that he was deceived by FanDuel when he recorded a personalized video for a man with a gambling addiction who had placed millions of dollars in bets on the site. (1/3)
Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board is now taking an interest in a video of Bryce Harper that FanDuel sent to a VIP bettor who had an addiction.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the video said Friday that FanDuel obtained the recording from Cameo, where Harper charges $899 to film videos for fans.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the video said Friday that FanDuel obtained the recording from Cameo, where Harper charges $899 to film videos for fans.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ‘reviewing’ Bryce Harper’s FanDuel video
It's unclear if the gaming control board has contacted FanDuel or Harper about the controversial video.
www.inquirer.com
July 10, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board is now taking an interest in a video of Bryce Harper that FanDuel sent to a VIP bettor who had an addiction.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the video said Friday that FanDuel obtained the recording from Cameo, where Harper charges $899 to film videos for fans.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the video said Friday that FanDuel obtained the recording from Cameo, where Harper charges $899 to film videos for fans.
A small update to our story on the video of Bryce Harper that FanDuel sent to a VIP bettor who was struggling with a gambling addiction:
Harper declines to comment on FanDuel video to bettor who had addiction
How FanDuel obtained the video of Harper, and whether the nine-time All-Star was compensated, remains unclear.
www.inquirer.com
July 9, 2026 at 10:57 PM
A small update to our story on the video of Bryce Harper that FanDuel sent to a VIP bettor who was struggling with a gambling addiction:
A Pennsylvania man earned VIP status at FanDuel by wagering large sums on sports bets. He developed a ruinous gambling addiction.
The company rewarded him with enviable perks — champagne, Super Bowl tickets and, we found, a personal video from Phillies star Bryce Harper.
The company rewarded him with enviable perks — champagne, Super Bowl tickets and, we found, a personal video from Phillies star Bryce Harper.
FanDuel sent a personal message from Phillies star Bryce Harper to a customer with a gambling addiction
Terry Thompson lost $1.5 million on bets he placed with FanDuel. The company gave him VIP treatment — including a personalized video message from the Phillies' All-Star first baseman.
www.inquirer.com
July 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
A Pennsylvania man earned VIP status at FanDuel by wagering large sums on sports bets. He developed a ruinous gambling addiction.
The company rewarded him with enviable perks — champagne, Super Bowl tickets and, we found, a personal video from Phillies star Bryce Harper.
The company rewarded him with enviable perks — champagne, Super Bowl tickets and, we found, a personal video from Phillies star Bryce Harper.
During the last two years, the Philly Police Department has launched and quietly expanded a drone first responder program. We found its 21 drones operate without much oversight or transparency — and now the program might expand citywide.
Philadelphia police expand drone use, but with little oversight from above
The Philadelphia Police Department has been operating a drone program for two years without the kind of transparency and oversight common in other major cities.
www.inquirer.com
April 13, 2026 at 12:41 PM
During the last two years, the Philly Police Department has launched and quietly expanded a drone first responder program. We found its 21 drones operate without much oversight or transparency — and now the program might expand citywide.
The FBI wanted to catch a team of brazen Philly armored truck thieves before they struck again.
That quest would end up including high-tech surveillance, a handwritten letter, Instagram chat threads, and separate investigation into a prolific car thief:
That quest would end up including high-tech surveillance, a handwritten letter, Instagram chat threads, and separate investigation into a prolific car thief:
From Instagram jokes to a suburban car chase: Inside the FBI’s hunt for a Philly armored truck-heist crew
Two members of the crew allegedly joked about the heists in a group chat with an NFL player, and used Cash App to purchase stolen cars for their getaways, court records show.
share.inquirer.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The FBI wanted to catch a team of brazen Philly armored truck thieves before they struck again.
That quest would end up including high-tech surveillance, a handwritten letter, Instagram chat threads, and separate investigation into a prolific car thief:
That quest would end up including high-tech surveillance, a handwritten letter, Instagram chat threads, and separate investigation into a prolific car thief:
Reposted by David Gambacorta
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
Caring for her aging father gave Michelle Cottle a firsthand look at America's caregiving crisis. "We had no idea what was coming," she writes.
Caring for her aging father gave Michelle Cottle a firsthand look at America's caregiving crisis. "We had no idea what was coming," she writes.
Opinion | America’s Caregivers Are in Crisis
Caregivers are at the brink of despair.
nyti.ms
November 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
Caring for her aging father gave Michelle Cottle a firsthand look at America's caregiving crisis. "We had no idea what was coming," she writes.
Caring for her aging father gave Michelle Cottle a firsthand look at America's caregiving crisis. "We had no idea what was coming," she writes.
Reposted by David Gambacorta
K.C. Keeler is the first Temple HC to build a house in the area since Bruce Arians in the 80s.
(This is notable at a school that has cycled through head coaches).
A look at Keeler's culture, which stems from his commitment to his team —and his "grandpa" dance moves www.inquirer.com/college-spor...
(This is notable at a school that has cycled through head coaches).
A look at Keeler's culture, which stems from his commitment to his team —and his "grandpa" dance moves www.inquirer.com/college-spor...
First-year coach K.C. Keeler is committed to Temple, Philly, and his ‘grandpa’ dance moves
Keeler has an established track record of building winning programs, and he won’t likely use Temple as a stepping stone. For the 66-year-old, the area has become his home.
www.inquirer.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
K.C. Keeler is the first Temple HC to build a house in the area since Bruce Arians in the 80s.
(This is notable at a school that has cycled through head coaches).
A look at Keeler's culture, which stems from his commitment to his team —and his "grandpa" dance moves www.inquirer.com/college-spor...
(This is notable at a school that has cycled through head coaches).
A look at Keeler's culture, which stems from his commitment to his team —and his "grandpa" dance moves www.inquirer.com/college-spor...
Lairmore had testified that the sandwich “exploded all over” his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onions. But a photo showed that the sandwich was still in its wrapper on the ground after it hit Lairmore in his bulletproof vest.
The jury system is a foot-long above the rest. www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Lairmore had testified that the sandwich “exploded all over” his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onions. But a photo showed that the sandwich was still in its wrapper on the ground after it hit Lairmore in his bulletproof vest.
“In del Toro’s films, the urge to narrate is always knotted together with a maternal body that holds life and death. In his telling, every story is, at its heart, the story of return.”
‘Frankenstein’ Has Always Held Up a Mirror. What Does It Show Us Now?
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:32 AM
“In del Toro’s films, the urge to narrate is always knotted together with a maternal body that holds life and death. In his telling, every story is, at its heart, the story of return.”
Reposted by David Gambacorta
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
He Alone Tracked Leaky Oil Wells in National Parks. He Was Let Go.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Forrest Smith, the only National Park Service engineer cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, lost his contract, leaving 93 orphaned wells on park lands unmanaged. These leaking wells release methane and toxins, threatening human health and the environment.
“A cabin is like a dream, a simple place where you can become the best version of yourself. You might whittle a walking stick by the fire or cook bacon on a skillet while your new buddy, a red fox, waits for scraps.”
@jasonnark.bsky.social’s difficult journey to Dick Proenneke’s Alaskan home:
@jasonnark.bsky.social’s difficult journey to Dick Proenneke’s Alaskan home:
A Pilgrimage to the Original Viral Cabin: Dick Proenneke’s Alaska Home
The late naturalist’s remote lifestyle has captivated Americans—myself included—for decades. Would a visit to his off-grid wilderness shack live up to its beloved image?
www.dwell.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:34 PM
“A cabin is like a dream, a simple place where you can become the best version of yourself. You might whittle a walking stick by the fire or cook bacon on a skillet while your new buddy, a red fox, waits for scraps.”
@jasonnark.bsky.social’s difficult journey to Dick Proenneke’s Alaskan home:
@jasonnark.bsky.social’s difficult journey to Dick Proenneke’s Alaskan home:
“It doesn’t matter how old you are,” Jeff said. “Everybody needs somebody. And she’s always there for those guys.”
@byalexcoffey.bsky.social introduced us to Allison Stoutland, the Mama Bear to @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social offensive line:
@byalexcoffey.bsky.social introduced us to Allison Stoutland, the Mama Bear to @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social offensive line:
Meet Allison Stoutland, a children’s book author and ‘Mama Bear’ to the Eagles
She has been by her husband’s side for 33 years as his coaching career has taken him to an array of places. Now, the former teacher brings comfort to the Eagles — and some baked goods, too.
www.inquirer.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM
“It doesn’t matter how old you are,” Jeff said. “Everybody needs somebody. And she’s always there for those guys.”
@byalexcoffey.bsky.social introduced us to Allison Stoutland, the Mama Bear to @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social offensive line:
@byalexcoffey.bsky.social introduced us to Allison Stoutland, the Mama Bear to @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social offensive line:
While Philadelphia was smothered this summer by triple-digit heat and the stench of a garbage strike, a team of armed crooks began stalking and robbing armored trucks across the city. A look at the heists, and the crew’s abrupt arrest earlier this month:
Brazen armored truck robberies in Philadelphia marked a sweltering summer
While the city endured punishing heatwaves, a crew of armed thieves staged daring — and increasingly dangerous — daytime robberies.
share.inquirer.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
While Philadelphia was smothered this summer by triple-digit heat and the stench of a garbage strike, a team of armed crooks began stalking and robbing armored trucks across the city. A look at the heists, and the crew’s abrupt arrest earlier this month:
Members of Philadelphia’s powerful police union are accusing its leaders of financial mismanagement. We dug through hundreds of pages of tax records and found plenty of questions about the union’s network of nonprofits: share.inquirer.com/XGgC8w
Philly FOP faces intense scrutiny — this time by its own members
A gifted Chevy Tahoe and murky bookkeeping have put John McNesby and current president Roosevelt Poplar under fire — this time from the union's own members.
share.inquirer.com
August 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Members of Philadelphia’s powerful police union are accusing its leaders of financial mismanagement. We dug through hundreds of pages of tax records and found plenty of questions about the union’s network of nonprofits: share.inquirer.com/XGgC8w
“For Dick Allen,” said Fletcher, “his experience at Little Rock, Arkansas, was his superhero origin story, just like the planet Krypton for Superman.”
Great read from @lochlahn.bsky.social:
Great read from @lochlahn.bsky.social:
Playing in Arkansas scarred Dick Allen. Decades later, his son returned to honor his long journey to the Hall of Fame.
The 1963 season in Little Rock was brutal for Allen, and he never wanted to return. Five years after his father's death, Richard Allen Jr. did just that: “I was proud to be who I am."
www.inquirer.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“For Dick Allen,” said Fletcher, “his experience at Little Rock, Arkansas, was his superhero origin story, just like the planet Krypton for Superman.”
Great read from @lochlahn.bsky.social:
Great read from @lochlahn.bsky.social:
A walk-off Phillies win is a good excuse to read @byalexcoffey.bsky.social’s thoughtful feature on the team’s Hot Pants Patrol, and the sisterhood its members formed in the 1970s and 80s:
Revisiting the Phillies’ Hot Pants Patrol, a sisterhood still going strong
They became doctors, business owners, government employees, and — of course — longtime Phillies staffers.
www.inquirer.com
July 22, 2025 at 2:19 AM
A walk-off Phillies win is a good excuse to read @byalexcoffey.bsky.social’s thoughtful feature on the team’s Hot Pants Patrol, and the sisterhood its members formed in the 1970s and 80s:
This is a enormous loss for the Inquirer and Philadelphia. @helenubinas.bsky.social pushed the city — its elected leaders, its community groups, its journalists — to better serve residents who needed the most and asked for the least: gun violence survivors and homicide victims’ relatives.
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
www.inquirer.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This is a enormous loss for the Inquirer and Philadelphia. @helenubinas.bsky.social pushed the city — its elected leaders, its community groups, its journalists — to better serve residents who needed the most and asked for the least: gun violence survivors and homicide victims’ relatives.
Reposted by David Gambacorta
