With the explosion of sports betting, an increased number of calls, texts, and chats have been made to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network. Last year, the help line received more than 270,000 calls and messages. According to Vin Bickler, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling in New Jersey, the number of people seeking help is rising.
The Black Sox scandal is an example of how gambling on sports has become mainstream in the United States. Sports betting has become a huge pillar of American entertainment, and the Supreme Court has recently overturned a federal ban on sports betting. The industry is already worth $26 billion, and is expected to rise dramatically over the next decade. Even if it isn’t legal everywhere, it is still a big business and has no plans of slowing down.
While the four major sports leagues had initially resisted legalizing sports betting, they eventually embraced it and partnered with major sportsbook operators. They also began to display odds on game broadcasts. Today, most major sports leagues allow sports betting, and odds are routinely displayed on TVs during games.
While some states have passed laws restricting gambling advertising, most have not done so. However, some states have banned celebrities from appearing in sports betting ads. Other countries are also looking to regulate sports betting advertising. The lack of federal regulation has raised concerns, particularly with regard to advertising. However, industry leaders say that self-regulation is the best way to regulate the industry.