Is Sports Betting Gambling?

Sports betting is the activity of predicting sports results and placing bets or wagers on certain outcomes. An example of sports betting would be predicting the number of goals a star player will score in a soccer match or betting on the number of three pointers a basketball player will make in the upcoming game. The goal of sports betting is, of course, to make the most accurate bets and win as much money as possible. But as more and more states legalize sports betting, many wonder whether it's gambling and whether it’s a safe habit to take up.

Sports Betting or Gambling?

Many people love to add some extra spice to their favorite sports and sports teams, and states love the tax revenue they get from legal gambling. That’s right, sports betting does mean gambling, and it’s legal in many states. Currently, just under 30 states have legalized and regulated sports betting, including states like:

Sports betting was first legalized in the United States in 2018 when the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The act made sports betting illegal in most states except in Nevada and a few others. After the ban was lifted, however, more and more states have legalized sports betting and even launched their own programs to boost tax revenue.

Sports bets are usually placed in land-based sportsbooks or on online betting sites. Other options include using a "bookie" or placing bets with people you know, such as coworkers or family members. Because in-person and online sports betting books are available in various parts of the world and the internet, many people continue to place sports bets even where it’s illegal (which is not advised).

Repercussions of Sports Betting

Not only is sports betting a threat to people addicted to gambling, but the – although legal – action can contribute to the development of a gambling addiction, as well. Approximately 1% of adults in the U.S. have severe gambling addictions, and according to most recent research, this starts at a younger age. Research estimates that compulsive gambling affects 6% to 9% of teens and college students experience problems, which is a higher rate than adults.

Unfortunately, simply because sports betting was legalized, this form of gambling has become widely acceptable and mainstream and is considered to be a pillar in American entertainment. But how does it affect us? What are the risks of sports betting gambling?

Especially for people with underlying gambling disorders or problems with compulsive gambling, sports betting can open the doors to more self-destructive behavior. People who fall victim to sports betting can experience severe legal, financial, emotional, mental, and physical problems that can grow more severe over time.