As L.A. burned, online gamblers bet on how much the fires would destroy. 'That was fun'
- Posted on August 18, 2026
- By Los Angeles Times
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
During the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, online betting platforms enabled users to wager on disaster outcomes, raising ethical concerns about profit incentives during human tragedy. Gambling experts warn this practice creates perverse motivations that could undermine disaster relief efforts and exemplifies how digital markets can exploit catastrophic events for financial gain.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
As L.A. burned, online gamblers bet on how much the fires would destroy. 'That was fun'
While Southern California was burning in January 2025, people online were placing money on potential outcomes. Experts say the possibility of making money on disasters can create dangerous incentives.
