Sales Meets Sportsbook

SAANVI LAMBA, Editor-in-Chief

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are typically all about shopping, but in 2025 they have also become major days for sports betting promotions. While some shoppers rushed to buy clothes, electronics, and holiday gifts, big gambling apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Bet365 released their own special “holiday deals.”These included offers like “Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets,” which were advertised similar to the way stores promote discounts. Because people spend more time online during this holiday weekend, sportsbooks use it to grab attention and attract new customers.

The timing isn’t random. Thanksgiving weekend is packed with popular sports like NFL games, NBA matchups, and big college football rivalries, so it’s one of the busiest sports weekends of the year. Sportsbooks take advantage of that excitement by offering limited-time bonuses. It seems clear that companies use this weekend as a major opportunity to bring in new bettors, especially people who might not normally gamble but are tempted by small, easy-looking deals.

However, treating betting like a holiday sale can make gambling seem more casual than it really is. A $5 wager might look harmless, but bonuses usually come with rules, and there’s still a chance of losing money. Because sports betting ads now appear often on social media, younger audiences- including high school students-may see more of these promotions, even though most are too young to legally bet. This brings the question about how betting is being marketed and how normal it’s becoming.

Overall, the rise of Black Friday betting shows how quickly sports gambling is blending into everyday consumer culture. As these promotions continue to grow, it’s important for students and communities to understand how they work, what they encourage, and how to make responsible choices when surrounded by constant advertisements and holiday cheer.