Not all sport lover are gamblers but many people gambles on sports do love and watch them that is why it is wide spreading, however it would not cause any harm to those who doesn't gamble as they could see as something fun to watch.
For those who gambles it is that easier for them to worries over sports being stop or limited as they could find it more difficult to gamble when there is no sports.
In my personal experience, I can tell you that someone who plays sports has a greater understanding because they know what the most difficult things are, or the details of the sport that are more complicated.
But a fan might not have experienced that and judge the athletes more harshly Everything has an impact For example, I love American football, ice hockey but where I live that sport isn't played, so I can't speak as an expert on it, I would say that does influence things.