The Take Inside the rise of sports betting in the United States
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Nov 24, 2025 Isaac Rose-Berman, a gambling policy researcher and fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men, explains the explosive growth of sports betting post-2018 Supreme Court decision. He discusses the shift towards in-play and mobile betting, highlighting how the pandemic accelerated legalization. Isaac delves into the societal impacts, particularly on young men, and the dangers of smartphone accessibility. With insights into revenue concentration and safeguarding practices, he stresses the need for regulation to protect vulnerable populations from addiction.
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Supreme Court Shift Transformed Sports Betting
- The 2018 Supreme Court ruling let states legalize sports betting and sparked rapid national expansion.
- Legalization, combined with normalization via ads and apps, fundamentally changed how fans engage with sports.
Betting On Every Moment
- Modern sportsbooks offer wagers on granular in-game events like the next pitch or next basket.
- Real-time tracking and phone apps made in-game betting widespread and constant during games.
COVID Budget Gave Betting Momentum
- Expansion accelerated during COVID as states sought revenue and accepted lobbyist promises of tax income.
- Legalized betting became an easy fiscal fix, driving many states to adopt online betting fast and without guardrails.