23.1 billion dollars. 23.1 billion dollars are expected to be bet on the 2024 Super Bowl. With the Super Bowl taking place in Las Vegas for the first time, many are taking advantage of this opportunity. The biggest game for American sports and one of the gambling capitals of the world, it has created the perfect atmosphere for large sports betting. However, is sports gambling even good?
For 26 years, under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, sports betting was illegal across the entirety of the United States—especially in Nevada. But that changed in 2018 with the Supreme Court overturning PASPA, allowing the states to take the legalization of sports gambling into their own hands. Now, fast forward to 2024, it is legal to participate in sports betting in 38 states along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
With the growth of popularity amongst all sports—particularly NFL, NBA, and MLB—the growth of betting has increased. This is mainly due to the increase in technology. Because of this advancement, many gambling opportunities have moved online, which allows more to participate without the need to be within a casino.
Along with the online aspect, big-name advertising has brought more light to sports betting. For instance, in an ad for FanDuel Sportsbook, Rob Gronkowski and John Cena are used to promote the app. Not only is it showing fans of these athletes and celebrities that gambling is fine, but it also shows others—some who are even coming out of a gambling addiction—that there isn’t as much of a risk or even an issue. This has also been leading to an increase in gambling at younger ages, including underage gambling, because of exposure to these big names. Even though easier access through the internet and promotions from celebrities can allow more to participate, there is a higher risk and increase of gambling addiction.
Sports betting also has been at an all-time high. This year, going into the Super Bowl, along with spending 23.1 billion dollars, a record 67.8 million adults are anticipated to bet on this singular game. One main reason for this is that many money betters perceive sports betting as “better odds” for reasons such as more information and better expertise rather than solely luck. With this, mixed in with the online access, many are starting to be able to—rather than going to a bookie (someone who facilitates gambling) and betting on who wins as a whole—betting in live time on that game with the simple click of a button. Allowing some to gain and the majority to lose tons.
Betting within sports has also placed unrealistic expectations toward teams and even players. Due to the amount of money placed upon these players, if an underperformance or injury happens, a stirrup can be caused within the gambling community. This can lead to a greater amount of negativity toward these players. Although some can argue that they are getting paid to do this, they should be able to perform well every time. They are human, and sometimes, our bodies don’t perform as we always hope they do—even with all the long, hard hours on and off the field. So placing these bets and having horrible reactions toward them when something doesn’t go one way isn’t always the fairest.
Although sports betting has allowed more people to become more interested in the realm of sports and join new fan bases, many cons outweigh the pros. One of those gravely impacted the lives of millions: gambling addictions. Even with the resources that are provided to help those who are battling those types of situations, with the rapid increase of sports betting, many of these treatment facilities and groups are trying to keep up with the high demand.
In all, sports gambling has been a way for many people to enter the world of betting without the feeling of high risk. However, that has been far from the truth. And with this upcoming Super Bowl now being hosted in one of the gambling capitals of the world, the lack of restrictions, increased popularity, and easy access will allow so many to go down a negative path that can impact not only themselves but others around them.
