As sports betting becomes increasingly ubiquitous in the U.S., athletes are reckoning with its darker side: being subjected to online harassment and verbal abuse. The harassment against sports stars and their families ranges from simple name-calling to death threats, and many are saying this behavior crosses a line.

What type of abuse are athletes enduring?

Many professional athletes believe this abuse is directly linked to the legalized availability of online and in-person sports gambling. Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.'s family "received online death threats following a tough start" to his season, said The Associated Press , while Boston Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks said there were "people who were threatening his wife's life and directing 'vile' comments at him."

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