The recent legalization of sports gambling has led to an increase in calls to problem-gambling helplines. In 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, calls to a Connecticut gambling hotline rose by 91 percent; calls to an Ohio helpline tripled; and chats to a Virginia helpline jumped by 84 percent. These figures are troubling, but they don’t reflect the full scale of the problem. In states that have already legalized sports betting, call volume to helplines has risen by an average of 43 percent since 2020.
Gambling on sporting events has long been a popular activity worldwide. It is often done at brick-and-mortar establishments, but it can also be placed through online or mobile platforms. The sports gambling industry is regulated at the state level, and there are rigorous licensing regimes in place to ensure integrity and consumer safety. However, the industry is still expanding, and a variety of new forms have emerged as a result of technological advances.
A recent survey by the Gallup organization found that nearly half of participants reported buying a state lottery ticket, while 30% said they visited a casino, and 15% had played bingo for money or video poker. Only about 10% had gambled on professional or collegiate sports, and 4% had placed a wager on a horse race.
One of the biggest issues with gambling is that it can quickly become a form of addiction. It is important to recognize the warning signs of gambling problems, and seek help if you believe that you may have a gambling problem. In addition, it is helpful to set limits for yourself before you start gambling. For example, if you plan to play for a certain amount of money, determine ahead of time how much you want to spend and stick to that number. This will prevent you from going on a losing streak, which can lead to chasing your losses.
Another issue with gambling is that it can lead to corruption and dishonesty. In the past, there have been several scandals in professional sports involving players being bribed to lose or throw games. The Black Sox Scandal of 1919 is one of the most notorious examples. More recently, there have been several scandals involving college athletes accepting gambling payments in order to win games.
It is not surprising that the Supreme Court’s decision to allow sports gambling has fueled the debate over whether universities should enter into contracts with these companies or not. However, it is puzzling that, despite the moral concerns raised by senator Blumenthal and others, university leaders have shown little public inclination to reconsider their decision to enter into sports gambling contracts. big77 login