Mixed results with legal sports betting

January brings the NFL playoffs. It will also bring record amounts of money bet on the games. Sports gambling has probably existed as long as fans have watched sports. In the past few years putting money down on the favorite team has become easier and legal. Until recently, betting on sports has been prohibited in most places. The sports betting industry as undergone rapid growth, going from a tightly restricted activity to one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. This expansion started with the 2018 Supreme Court decision that ended the federal ban that prevented states from allowing sports betting. It permitted each state to create its own betting regulations. Each state has its own rules, licensing processes, tax structures, and allowable types of wagering. More than 35 states have legalized sports betting in some form. In January 2023, sports betting became legal in Ohio for both online and casino sportsbooks. Laws in different states have created opportunities and challenges for sportsbook operators. They have to deal with different rules regarding tax rates, advertising restrictions, allowable betting markets, consumer protections, and responsible gaming requirements. Not everyone is happy that gambling on sports has become legal. Ohio governor Mike DeWine recently said he regretted signing the 2021 law that legalized sports betting in the Buckeye State. "Ohio shouldn't have done it," he said. Part of DeWine's change of heart was related to two Cleveland Guardians' pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz who have been charged with taking bribes to rig pitches for bettors. Clase, a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year, is accused of risking his $4.5 million salary to help bettors make a few thousand dollars on prop bets based on specific pitches he threw. "I believe Governor DeWine is a leader in trying to regulate some of the gambling issues with proposing to eliminate prop bets or micro-betting and should be applauded for his efforts" according to Rick Goeb, Associate Professor of Sports Management a Tiffin University. Clase was placed on a non-disciplinary paid leave by Major League Baseball. A number of NBA players and coach Chauncy Billups have also been indicted in gambling related criminal activities. There are several casinos that have partnered with sports entities. ESPN Bet is a sports wagering company that is using the sports network's name as part of its brand. The TV network ESPN2 broadcasts a sports betting program five days a week. Pro sports teams have also joined with gaming companies. Numerous teams, including the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and the NBA's Washington Wizards have signed deals to put physical betting shops inside their stadiums and arenas. The sports betting industry contributes billions in online revenue. While the majority of betting dollars flow through online platforms, in-person sportsbooks generate significant tourism and hospitality spending in states with established casino industries. Rapid growth of online gambling has created concern about addiction, underage gambling, deceptive advertising, and the role of sports betting in influencing fan behavior. Regulators require sportsbooks to implement age verification, self-exclusion lists, spending limits, and prominent responsible gaming messaging. The dramatic increase in sports betting has been related to serious issues like addiction, depression, and anxiety. Goeb added that whether athletes or others act unprofessional and are bribed into manipulating betting outcomes, sports betting is much too big of a business for states not to offer this service. "The most likely outcome is that sports betting will continue to grow in revenue and interest but should be more regulated with states providing consumers with clear information about betting odds, potential losses, and responsible gambling."