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The National Football League, America’s leading professional sports association, continues to be a significant spotlight for the sports wagering sector as the season kicks off with a complete lineup of games this week.
The 2024 season garnered an estimated $35 billion in lawful betting, comprising $1.4 billion on the Super Bowl alone, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) as unconstitutional, lifting the federal prohibition on sports wagering and permitting states to determine its legalization. Presently, 38 states (along with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico) provide legal sports betting to some extent, among which 30 states offer online sports wagering via mobile device or web.
Ryan Rodenberg, a Florida State University educator in both the Department of Sport Management and College of Law, centers his inquiry on legal matters related to sports gambling. During the pending period of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling in 2018, he testified before Congress and participated in a feature for a “60 Minutes” segment.
A new dimension has emerged in the sports betting arena: sports-oriented prediction markets. Differing from conventional sports betting, where odds are set by a bookmaker, these novel investment prospects function as a form of financial trade based on the results of sports events.
“The ongoing emergence of sports-based prediction markets across all 50 states signifies the most significant transformation in the sports betting landscape since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2018,” noted Rodenberg.
While traditional sports betting can stimulate economic development and enhance tax income for states, it simultaneously precipitates adverse effects for certain individuals. Rates of gambling addiction have soared to unprecedented levels in the U.S. Between 2018-2023, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) registered a 30% rise in gambling issues linked to sports betting.
Rick Macatee, associate professor of psychology, directs the Biobehavioral Research on Addiction and INternalizing Syndromes (BRAINS) Lab at FSU. His studies focus on the multi-faceted measurement and treatment of biobehavioral risk factors and maintenance aspects for internalizing and substance use disorders, particularly with an emphasis on co-morbid cases.
The NCPG indicates that gambling issues among sports bettors are at least double that of other gamblers. Macatee asserts that this specific segment of gambling fosters addiction.
“Availability is a crucial aspect in addictive conduct,” Macatee stated. “When chances to participate in a rewarding activity are plentiful with minimal obstacles, the behavior becomes harder to regulate. Unlike wagering in conventional environments such as casinos, sports bettors only require their phone, and a wager can be placed at any moment.”
Media wishing to engage with Ryan Rodenberg regarding the legal aspects of sports gambling may contact him at [email protected].
Media can also reach Rick Macatee at [email protected] for discussions on the addiction aspects of sports gambling and its lasting repercussions.
Rick Macatee, associate professor of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
1. Gambling addiction can be provoked by numerous factors. Among sports bettors, accessibility is one significant element. How detrimental is it for addicted gamblers to have sports betting readily available to place a wager at any time they desire?
The ease of access to sports betting is likely the most substantial single element accountable for the heightened risks of complications associated with this type of gambling compared to others.
2. What guidance do you have for an individual identified as a sports gambling addict?
Surmounting any addiction is tough. Luckily, there are support networks and therapeutic interventions available, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, for gambling addiction, which many individuals find beneficial in ceasing their habits.
The post Rolling the dice: FSU experts available to discuss the impact of sports betting on society appeared first on Florida State University News.
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