A landmark Supreme Court decision in 2018 paved the way for legal sports betting expansion, leading to $330 billion in wagers but also a surge in gambling-related controversies involving athletes and coaches, including instances of betting violations and leaked information.

By the Numbers
  • 39 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico have legal betting markets.
  • Professional leagues quickly formed partnerships with bookmakers.
Yes, But

Despite the increased visibility and regulation, incidents of players betting on their own games persist, with the underground betting market still thriving.

State of Play
  • The legal system and leagues assert that increased visibility is aiding in detecting anomalies.
  • California and Texas, the largest states, have yet to legalize sports betting.
What's Next

Anticipate further controversies and potential growth in the American betting market, with ongoing investigations and calls for stricter regulations to safeguard sports' integrity.

Bottom Line

The surge in legal sports betting post-2018 underscores both the immense economic potential and the pressing need for robust safeguards to preserve the integrity of sports amid a backdrop of escalating gambling-related controversies.