We may be entering the sixth year of its beginning as a legalized activity for some states, but sports betting has continued to grip America and is continuing to enjoy a huge boom nationwide.
Since the decision in 2018 to allow states to have control over whether to permit it or keep it outlawed within its borders, a total of 38 states (and Washington DC) have allowed it to be conducted in some capacity amongst its residents.
According to some estimates and findings, the market is one that Americans have hugely enjoyed. More than $245 billion has been wagered collectively on sports since its introduction in 2018, with almost one in five Americans (19%) having admitted that they have bet on sports in the last year or so. With America home to some of the biggest sports leagues in the world – both professional and at the college level – it is no surprise that this is the case.
Bettors have continually sought new ways to enhance their experiences of the sports they enjoy, with new legislation letting some enjoy the possibility of winning money on top of the entertainment usually obtained. Some will often look at sporting events as big as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final due to the odds available. Punters are already wagering on the betting odds NHL matches have in the run-up to the major spectacle to get more from the sport played on the ice.
Why are Americans enjoying sports betting so much?
Given that the activity’s status as a legal activity is still relatively new, it perhaps should not come as a surprise that many have enjoyed a flutter on the sports that are played. Its newness will have attracted a vast number, as it allowed them to enhance the experiences they obtained when they watched their favorite sports and teams. It will have allowed them to exert their passion in a new way while also adding something a little more interesting to the event.
Gambling may have been banned across the US in various guises, but it has been a part of American culture for a long time. You only must look at the various casinos that are located in most states, with Las Vegas and Atlantic City perhaps being evident reasons for how much gambling is enjoyed nationwide. Many take annual trips to these locations or make at least one in their lifetime as they want to experience the glitz and glamor they provide.
Of course, with the changes in legislation and the improvement in technologies, sports fans can now bet conveniently. They can use their smartphone to place a bet instantly and watch the action unfold in front of their eyes wherever they can. It has also allowed them to be able to socialize in a different way with friends and talk about other aspects of their favorite games or events in a new way, thus building the overall level of entertainment that is had and creating a new dimension to their passion.
Will America remain in a sports betting boom or will it calm down?
With what is currently being experienced, it would appear difficult to suggest that the sports betting market will witness a decline anytime soon. Americans are wagering more than ever on the sports that they enjoy. With more states likely to introduce legislation in the near future, the industry is only likely to continue to boom further.