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The History of Sports Betting

People have been betting on sporting events for a long time. Both the Greeks and Romans engaged in the practice. In more recent times, sports betting has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. Betting on sports became popular in the United States in the 19th Century. Betting is also popular in other countries, and have even become part of their culture (some even have betting websites like bigfreebet.com). The advent of television made betting on sports like baseball, football and basketball more popular among gamblers. It has become so popular over time that people can get caught up in the idea of potentially gaining money, that they forget the rules and some consequences that can come with betting on sports. Everything is fine in moderation. If you are not too familiar with the background of sports betting, it could benefit you to look into something like the NJ sports betting guide to give you an overview on the rules of betting online and in various states. Betting isn’t as easy as people may think.

Delaware recently proclaimed that the state wants to allow single bets, in addition to its permission of making parley bets. While the lawsuit regarding that issue is prepared for and litigated, there is always another option…over the years, placing wagers on sports has become a much easier process due to the rise of online sportsbooks. Here’s some info from a third party on how to become a bookie.

Sports Betting in the Early Days

The most popular sport to bet on in the 19th century was horse racing. Hundreds of racetracks popped up throughout the country after the Civil War, widening the pool of bettors to include average citizens. The popularity of horse racing reached its peak in the early 20th Century. By this point, baseball had seen a dramatic increase in popularity and subsequently betting. Sports betting back then was a far cry from anything we have today, such as the sites featured on pph sportsbook that are enjoyed by many people online everyday.

Damage of the Black Sox Scandal

The infamous Black Sox Scandal in 1919 disgraced the integrity of the game and gave gambling a black mark in the public eye. Arnold Rothstein and other gamblers bribed eight Chicago White Sox players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, to throw the World Series. The fallout from the scandal was far-reaching. The players were banned for life, and the sports betting industry was perceived as a business rife with criminals.

Betting on College Sports

The growth in popularity of college basketball bets and football bets in the 20th Century led to an overall increase in sports betting. In earlier days, the odds were stacked heavily in the favor of bookmakers, resulting in soaring profits. With so much money at stake, college athletics have become a staple of the modern sports betting industry.

Legalized Gambling in Las Vegas

When gambling was legalized in Las Vegas in 1931, the prospect of a home for the sports betting industry became a reality. Initially, it was very difficult for sportsbooks to turn a profit because of the excessive 10 percent tax Congress imposed on wagers. After the tax was decreased significantly, the sports betting industry saw a dramatic rise in profits. Today, every major casino in Las Vegas has its own sportsbook.

Betting on Sports Online

In recent years, the sports betting industry has capitalized off the Internet. There are a countless numbers of online sportsbooks competing for your business. Most of these sportsbooks offer promotions and bonuses to new customers. Potential bettors can place wagers from the comfort of their own home safely and efficiently. In the unlikely event that you get bored with sports betting sites, online gambling fans can play internet poker or use an online Casino guide to help find a good casino to play at.

Maybe the decision in NFL v. Delaware (Part II) won’t be all that important…if people continue to migrate to online gaming.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.