However, free and open societies are characterized by unrestrained liberties including financial freedom in the context of gambling. The widespread legalization of sports gambling will undoubtedly create hundreds of thousands or even millions of gambling addicts, many of whom lose their homes, vehicles, families and dignity. Revenue from sports gambling soared nearly 70% between ’19 and ’20 alone. Though online sports wagering is limited to 21 states at the moment, that figure will undoubtedly change in the future. The evolution of America’s sports gambling industry stems back to the ’18 Supreme Court decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, setting the stage for in-person and online sports gambling. Venture through any major American city and you’ll find sports gambling billboards, banners, commercials, and other ads encouraging sports fans to roll the dice on moneylines, point spreads, over/unders, and teasers.Īs Bob Dylan once wrote, “The times, they are a changin’.” These lyrics certainly ring true in the context of sports gambling in contemporary society. Though sports wagering is not legal throughout the entirety of the United States, it probably won’t be long until the vast majority of states open brick-and-mortar sportsbooks as well as digital sportsbooks accessible through smartphones.
