Atlantic journalist McKay Coppins, a practicing Latter-day Saint, discussed his experience with online sports betting on the Mormon Land podcast, describing how initial entertainment devolved into compulsion. His account appeared weeks before an LDS apostle condemned gambling in general conference.

Coppins detailed the psychological progression from casual wagering to problematic behavior, offering a member's perspective on the sports-betting industry's expansion. His timing—speaking before the official Church statement—lends his account weight as independent testimony rather than dutiful response.