All over the world, sports are one of the most widely enjoyed forms of entertainment. In addition to attending live events, people have the option to watch and follow their favorite professional sports/teams/players across many platforms, including tv subscription services, live streaming, and through social media. In the United States, sports betting has emerged as another activity for sports fans. Within the United States, betting on sports is legalized on a state-by-state basis. States can set their own rules to allow for different forms of betting. For example, some states require that you are 21 or over to participate in legalized betting, while others set the minimum age as 18.
Sports betting in the United States was expanded after a 2018 Supreme Court case. With Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Supreme Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) unconstitutional. After this court ruling, states gained the right to decide whether to make and enforce sports betting laws. More than half of the United States allows some type of sports betting, whether it takes place online, in-person, or both. Sports betting has greatly expanded the gambling industry. Currently, online platforms for sports betting are widely advertised in sporting arenas and on television during both sporting and non-sporting programs.
The outward legalization of sports betting has had some controversial reactions from many. For states, sports betting has opened opportunities, but has also caused problems. Some of the more positive effects include increased tax revenue which states may use for education or other social services. Also, the legitimization and regulation of this practice has made it more difficult for illegal or questionable gambling venues or websites to operate. However, the legalization of sports betting has created some challenges. This includes a significant increase in compulsive gambling or gambling disorders, suspension of professional players for betting on games themselves, illegal underage betting, and more.
With the increase of sports betting, those who treat gambling disorders are concerned about the direction the industry is heading. The advertising of sports betting apps or trends similar to microbetting (a series of rapid-fire bets), can increase and, in some ways, encourage gambling. The widespread use of online sports betting apps facilitates the process of making bets and allows users to make bets instantaneously. Simplifying the betting process with these apps increases gambling among those who regularly do so, but also brings in new gamblers. Not only has participation in sports betting increased, but the numbers of those reaching out to state gambling-addiction hotlines have also spiked. This further proves skepticism and continues the debate of whether sports betting should continue to expand. For now, the sports betting industry continues to explode and can be a source of enjoyment for many who choose to participate responsibly.
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