How Sports Betting Continues to Evolve Today
Published: November 25, 2024
Sports betting. It’s all over the news, flashy sportsbook advertisements are everywhere you turn, and people you know are likely participating to some degree. As it’s continued to evolve over the years, you might ask yourself what effect it has on people.
Sports betting has been a popular topic of discussion since the 1990s when the U.S. Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that prohibited most states from allowing sports betting. For years, that was largely accepted by the public.
But 2014 represented a big shift in the public’s perception of sports betting. When polled that year, 55 percent of Americans favored legal sports betting, and 66 percent agreed that the state should regulate it. By 2018, PASPA had been overturned and handed over to individual states for legalization. Five years later, in early 2023, Ohio joined dozens of states in legalizing sports betting.
Today, sports betting is so ingrained in U.S. culture, with leagues, franchises, and players regularly partnering with sportsbook apps and other betting platforms. During the 2024 Super Bowl, 68 million Americans bet $23.1 billion, a record high. And that kind of growth doesn’t come without risks for some.
According to Ohio for Responsible Gambling, it’s estimated that more than 1.8 million Ohio adults can be categorized as at risk for a gambling disorder. That’s nearly one in five Ohioans.
If you or someone you know identify with the above list, you can take Pause Before You Play’s quick two-minute quiz to gauge your risk level for a gambling disorder.
In addition, Ohio has a self-ban program Time Out Ohio. Participating gives individuals the ability to ban themselves from Ohio’s casinos, racinos, and sports gaming for one year, five years, or their lifetime. And when you do, you can also get a free subscription to Gamban, an app that prevents a device from accessing more than 60,000 gambling websites and apps (legal and illegal) worldwide.
Lastly, if you or someone you know needs immediate help, don’t hesitate to call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline. Trained and understanding specialists are standing by 24/7 to provide free and confidential support. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741. And now, through the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network, you can also access virtual telehealth services at no cost.