Once sequestered to the desert of Las Vegas, whispered about over pay phones, and deemed to be a threat to the integrity of football by the NFLs commissioner, the practice of betting on sports has escaped ostracism and emerged as a ballyhooed favorite of sports leagues and fanatics.
For decades, only racetracks and Las Vegas allowed sports gambling in the U.S. Pro leagues were so wary that they refused to even place a team in Sin City, lest athletes get caught up in the unseemly habit. In a 2012 court filing, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell formally opposed the spread of sports betting.
But a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the door to widespread sports wagering. And as a new revenue stream for casinos, leagues and states and a new source of entertainment for fans, sports betting quickly proved a coveted debutant. What was taboo became ubiquitous: 38 states have legalized it in some form. In Maryland, there are 13 retail sportsbooks and 12 mobile operators. The Ravens and Orioles both have partnerships with sportsbooks.
The sports world ... went from, Gambling is bad, we dont like this, we dont want this, to every other commercial is promoting some sportsbook, said Sean Jones, a Howard County resident who occasionally bets on sports.
It was first legalized in Maryland in 2021, with online wagering starting in November 2022. In the year since, it has entertained bettors across the state to the tune of a predicted $4 billion in bets. With 15% of sportsbooks profits going to the state, its expected to raise at least $40 million for public education in its first year.
But increased access to a popular new national pastime raises questions about addressing the potential for more people developing an addiction to betting. The growing mobile sports industry doesnt contribute to the Maryland Problem Gambling Fund. And a new player on the horizon internet gambling could broaden the pool of people whose habit becomes self-destructive by making casino games available online.
Monitors display schedules and games at a casino. (Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun)
The New York Giants recently played the Washington Commanders in the worst, in terms of win-loss records, matchup of the NFLs Week 11.
But Jones likes football enough that the unappetizing matchup didnt bother him. Whatever game is aired, hes content to watch. And this year, hes been even more engaged. Hes not much of a gambler and has never walked into a sportsbook, but with the advent of mobile sports betting, he likes to place tiny bets on his phone maybe $2 each to add some drama.
A couple of bucks, just for some fun, just for a little extra bit of excitement, he said.
Sports gamblers used to have to illegally use a bookie, which is what Billy Small, of Baltimore, was used to. After a long launch process in Maryland, he was happy to begin betting legally on his smartphone.
The ease of betting on an app is an enticing new option. Last month, 96% of the sports betting handle (the total of money wagered) came from online bets, as opposed to just 4% from physical sportsbooks.
Sure, you can bet on the Orioles to win the 2024 World Series or the Ravens to win Dec. 10. But you can also put the price of a cup of coffee on an otherwise unremarkable football game that, suddenly, you have a stake in.
Kevin Green, a Virginia resident and Ravens fan, said he doesnt like betting on the Ravens (I dont want to be mad about two things if they lose), but he wagers on other NFL games.
If you do it responsibly, it gives you another layer of fun to the viewing experience, he said.
That excitement has attracted many. More than 73 million Americans were expected to bet on the NFL this season, according to a survey from the American Gaming Association.
But bettors dont have to stop there. They can also wager on whether a middling NBA player will have at least 3.5 rebounds. Or who will win an upcoming game of snooker. Or, as of earlier this year, pickleball.
Gamblers can also place parlays a bet requiring a combination of outcomes that is less likely to occur, but which yields a larger prize. Those wagers offer tempting rewards, but rarely pan out. Theyre generally moneymakers for the sportsbooks.
Those types of bets give pause to people concerned about the future of sports betting and its effects. In October a month that featured five Sundays of NFL games Maryland had its most successful sports betting month, generating $5.8 million in revenue for the state. The other side of the coin is that Marylanders lost $39 million in betting on sports during the month.
It does make it easy, Jones said of betting on ones phone. And it makes it more dangerous, I think.
Eight states have legalized 'iGaming,' which allows adults to play casino games on their phone. Maryland could be next. (Canva)
One of the greatest advantages of legalized sports wagering aside from regulating what had previously been a black market is that it raises state revenue. Before mobile wagering was legalized, the research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming predicted that Maryland would bring in $26 million in sports betting in 2023 and then increase from there.
Next fiscal year, Maryland will likely generate around $45 million for education, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency Director John Martin said. In the grand scheme of the states $63 billion budget, that contribution is a drop in the bucket (less than 0.1%), but every million helps.
In addition to money for the state, sportsbooks have made hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
However, no mobile sports wagering revenue goes to the states Problem Gambling Fund, which finances education on responsible betting and support for those facing addiction. People who seek support for gambling problems receive free treatment in Maryland via the fund.
During a General Assembly committee hearing last month, legislators discussed a potential slippery slope facing the state: Online sports betting is becoming more popular, but is not legally required to contribute to the fund. Instead, slots and table games at casinos finance support for problem gamblers. So, while more people have access to gambling and do it on their phones, the fund hasnt received extra money.
Online and mobile gambling is creating, I think, I dont know if I want to call it a burden, but its certainly stretching the resources we have currently, Mary Drexler, director of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, told the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Its a public health issue. Relying solely on the casino table game taxes and [slot] taxes isnt going to carry us into the future, isnt going to allow me to expand our public awareness, to expand some of the staffing needed.
In the months since mobile betting began, Maryland has seen an increase in gamblers seeking professional help, especially among young men of color, but Drexler said in an interview that its too early to know whether the additional calls are a result of online sports wagering.
Legislative analysts suggested at the hearing that the Problem Gambling Fund diversify its revenue. That would likely mean requiring contributions from mobile sports gambling, perhaps as a result of action taken in the General Assemblys 2024 session.
We want to do so much more with public awareness campaigns and keep them going through the year, Drexler said, but we dont have the funding that the sports world has that can spend millions and millions of dollars to get the message out on betting.
Democratic state Sen. Clarence Lam, who represents portions of Howard and Anne Arundel counties, is a physician. (PAMELA WOOD/Baltimore Sun)
The success of online sports betting has prompted some states, like Maryland, to consider internet gambling, or iGaming, as its sometimes called. Eight states have legalized it.
I think the success of sports betting is sort of pushing legislators to say, Hey, look, were making some decent money with sports betting. We could be making more with iGaming, said Robert Linnehan, a sports betting regulation reporter at XLMedia and Sports Betting Dime.
State senators in Maryland proposed a 2023 bill to legalize iGaming, although it did not pass. Also, the state gambling agency retained a consultant, The Innovation Group, to study the topic for a report published this month.
While opponents of iGaming point to its dangerous accessibility someone could, while sitting on their couch, quickly lose thousands of dollars on cellphone roulette proponents note it could be another strong public revenue stream.
The consultant predicted in its report that, if legalized in the coming years, iGaming could amount to $900 million in gross revenue by 2029. Depending on how much of that casino win the state would tax, it could generate as little as a few million dollars annually or as much as $300 million, the consultant found. The profit margins for iGaming for states and casinos are better than for sports betting, so the addition of iGaming could be lucrative.
However, legislators on the legislatures Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee expressed caution at last months hearing.
I think we really need to slow down and take a good look at this, said Del. Steve Johnson, a Harford County Democrat.
Feedback provided by Marylands problem gambling center in the report to the state gambling agency detailed that most studies have found online gambling to result in more issues than in-casino wagering. The report stated the convenience factor of online gambling cannot be overlooked as a reliable predictor of problem gambling.
Sen. Clarence Lam cited that factor as a potential hazard. He co-chairs the committee, represents parts of Howard and Anne Arundel counties, and is a doctor.
If you were to open up more internet gaming, the equivalent of slot machines on your phone, at home, he said, it will probably lead to more Marylanders experiencing problem gambling, as well as a reduction in revenue at our casinos.
Legalization of iGaming could be a topic for the General Assembly in the session that begins Jan. 10. If legislators consider it, theyll have to weigh potential dangers against potential revenues, as online sports wagering marches into its second year.
Ive lost more than Ive won, for sure, said Green, the Ravens fan. But I still find it to be fun.
Baltimore Sun reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer contributed to this article.
Read this article:
First year of mobile sports betting in Maryland generates revenue ... - Baltimore Sun
- Iowa-based athletes in betting inquiry sue, say rights violated - ESPN - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Roger Goodell tries to reconcile the NFL's embrace of sports betting - NBC Sports - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Shedeur Sanders is the betting favorite to go first overall in the 2024 NFL draft - Yahoo Sports - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- In its second full year, mobile sports betting in Arkansas is set to make over $500 million dollars | Arkansas Democrat ... - Arkansas Online - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Rhode Island sports betting revenue dips in March despite handle increase - iGaming Business - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Nevada Sports Betting Handle Fails To Hit $800 Million For March - Sports Handle - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- ESPN BET Vermont Promo Code For April 29th, 2024: Everything You Need to Know - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Minnesota senator's arrest could upend sports betting, other bills - iGaming Business - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- An Under In A Braves Game? It Could Happen Tonight - Outkick - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- BetMGM Bonus Code BOOKIES: Get Up To $1,500 In Bonuses On April 28th, 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Odds, Picks, Props & Injury Reports for Game 4 - Sports Betting Dime - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Thanks to NCAA Tournament, Delaware sees uptick in sports betting numbers in March - Delaware First Media - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- The impacts of banning bonuses on the sports betting and online gaming market in Brazil - Games Magazine Brasil - GAMES MAGAZINE BRASIL - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Elon faculty featured in FOX8 report on legalized sports betting in N.C. - Today at Elon - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- NASCAR Dover 2024 Weekend Betting Recap I NASCAR Gambling Podcast (Ep. 401) - SGPN - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- MLB Betting and DFS Podcast: The Solo Shot, Monday 4/29/24 - FanDuel Research - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Iowa athletes file federal lawsuit against DCI over sports betting probe - The Gazette - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Promo: Bet And Get $1K In Bonuses For April 29th, 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- The Coyotes Are Now Inactive. Their Sports Betting License Is Not - Sportico - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- DraftKings $200 Promo Code: Bet $5, Get $200 In Bonuses On April 29th, 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- SeguroBet sees sports betting and iGaming strengthened after participation in BiS SiGMA Americas - Games Magazine ... - GAMES MAGAZINE BRASIL - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Iowa College Athletes Going to Federal Courts Over Sports Betting Violations - OddsShopper.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- What are the Main Differences Between Esports and Traditional Sports Betting? - Esports News UK - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Iowa athletes file federal lawsuit against DCI after sports betting investigation - UI The Daily Iowan - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Game 4 Predictions, Player Props & Odds (April 28) - Sports Betting Dime - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting CPI hears from Brazilian Footbal Confederation representatives this Monday - Games Magazine Brasil - GAMES MAGAZINE BRASIL - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- NBA Betting Promos For Heat vs. Celtics, Game 4 - Winners and Whiners - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Betway Sportsbook Promo Code: Grab A First Bet Reset Of Up To $250 For NBA On April 29th 2024 - Bookies.com - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- Kentucky Derby Projected to Receive More Attention in 2024 - Covers - April 29th, 2024 [April 29th, 2024]
- 38 states rake in millions in sports betting while Oklahoma still waits for legalization - KOKI FOX 23 TULSA - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Scandals Are Piling Up. What It Means for Gambling Stocks. - Barron's - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting: How gambling can impact the integrity of the game - WRAL News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A new coalition wants to address the risks of youth sports betting in Massachusetts - Boston Herald - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A Better East Texas: Professional sports betting scandals - KLTV - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - goskagit.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting bill will help MN veterans, charities - ECM Publishers - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - Bowling Green Daily News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- NCAA set to push states with legalized sports betting to ban prop bets for all college sporting events - Yahoo Sports - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting addiction on the rise - Toledo - WTVG - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Pritzker eyes bigger piece of Illinois sports betting action after 4 booming years - WVIK - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- All Eyes on Georgia Sports Betting During Final Legislative Day - Sports Betting Dime - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Best North Carolina sports betting promos for UNC vs. Alabama in Sweet 16: Claim thousands in NC sportsbook ... - Sporting News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- South Carolina Sports Betting 2024: Best SC Sportsbooks - The Hudson Reporter - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- A Better East Texas: Professional sports betting scandals - KTRE - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting hits ground running | wltx.com - WLTX.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- North Carolina reports nearly $200m in handle in first week of legalized sports gambling - EGR Global - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- I got over 100 messages telling me I suck: UNC basketball star concerned with hate messages after sports betting takes off - WGHP FOX8 Greensboro - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Fanatics replaces PointsBet in Kansas - Sports betting - iGB - iGaming Business - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting addiction on the rise - Wichita - KWCH - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- 'March Madness' Sports Betting Is Big Business - Investopedia - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Get $250 in bonus bets for UNC vs. Alabama with this NC sports betting bonus before tonight's 9:39 p.m. ET tip-off - syracuse.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- IGA executive director confident of California sports betting with tribal help - iGaming Business - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Georgia Sports Betting Legislation Fails Once Again - Winners and Whiners - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports betting won't be legal in Georgia after lawmakers couldn't agree on how to spend taxes - The Caledonian-Record - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Scandals: Ohtani Fallout and NCAA Prop Betting Ban - SportsGrid - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports gambling has gotten out of control - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Best Sports Betting Apps in the US in March 2024 - Gaming Today - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Survey finds majority of Canadians want immediate nationwide sports betting ad ban - EGR Global - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Authorizing sports betting in Georgia may lack needed votes from lawmakers - goskagit.com - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Sports Betting is coming to NC in one month - WWAY NewsChannel 3 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- $3.5 million wagered across Maine in first Super Bowl since launch of online sports betting - Maine Public - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports Betting Bill Clears Another Missouri House Committee - Covers - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- I-TEAM: Sports Betting/Online Gambling Addictions growing on CT college campuses - Eyewitness News 3 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Ohio gamblers place more than $7.6B in bets in first year - Dayton Daily News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting in Minnesota: What are the odds it becomes legal? - KARE11.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- North Carolina Issues First Batch of Sports Betting Licenses to Suppliers - Covers - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Kentucky cover the spread vs. Ole Miss? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- NFL Playoffs Fuel Record-Breaking Contributions From Maryland's Sports Betting - Bay Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Louisville cover the spread vs. Boston College? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- BetMGM and X Sign Exclusive Sports Betting Partnership - PR Newswire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Gambling disorders on the rise nationwide after legalization of sports betting - Q2 News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Why US sports betting could become a $45 billion business - Goldman Sachs - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Colorado State cover the spread vs. San Diego State? Betting Trends, Record ATS - Wyoming News Now - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will Michigan cover the spread vs. Illinois? Betting Trends, Record ATS - WLUC - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Are the Suns favored vs. the Kings on February 13? Game odds, spread, over/under - WYMT - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- With three months in the books, Maine sports betting readies for Super Bowl - Press Herald - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Sports betting is coming to X as Musk's site partners with BetMGM - Washington Times - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Hard Rock Bet Promo Code: Sign Up And Claim $100 In Bonuses - RotoWire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Will North Carolina cover the spread vs. Syracuse? Betting Trends, Record ATS - KNOP - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- State Rep. Blackshear: 'Nave' to think sports betting isn't already taking place in Alabama - Yellowhammer News - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]