In November 2014, Adam Silver, the current commissioner of the National Basketball Association, stated that he fully supported the legalization of sports betting across the United States. It seems that he has not changed his mind, as, a few days ago, he shared he has been talking with representatives of other leagues about their opinion on this significant change in the gambling legislation of the country.
Mr. Adams said that he had left it to the commissioners of the other leagues to decide whether they will release any statements on the matter. He also shared that quite a lot of experts have been assigned to study the effects that legalization of sports betting might have on the country and its residents.
Currently, Nevada is the only state with a completely developed legal sports betting system. Montana, Delaware, and Oregon have also authorized certain gambling operations of this kind.
It seems, however, that in the age of the Internet, it is absolutely impossible to prevent illegal sports betting. People who are keen on gambling on sports can easily find ways to do so, no matter where they are based.
According to a report, compiled by the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, the amount of $3.6 billion was legally wagered on sports in the state in 2013. What is more, $115.9 million were bet on this year’s Super Bowl, which took place two weeks ago. Yet, the American Gaming Association predicted that Americans would bet illegally more than $3.8 billion.
Last week, David Stern, the former commissioner of the NBA, stated that he fully supports his colleague’s stance. A few weeks ago, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reiterated his point that sports betting will boost Atlantic City’s economy and that of the state as a whole.
Now, when sports wagering has such influential advocates, it certainly is more likely to be legalized across the country or at least to be more seriously considered by legislators.
Gambling experts believe that if legalized, sports betting might regulate itself. They point England, where these activities became legal back in 1961, as an excellent example to this. Sportsbooks in the country are said to be watching carefully and to be preventing successfully all kinds of suspicious bets.
In addition to this, experts claim that the legalization of sports betting might help people that show symptoms of gambling addictions, since it will be easier to identify them.
