I’ll make you a bet!
Oh don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble, it’s legal now.
As of Monday, May 14th, all states are free to authorize sports betting. This is a monumental day in United States’ history. NO, I’m not exaggerating. This effects everyone — everywhere.
This result stems from a Supreme Court ruling (6-3) that abolished the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). PASPA, aka the Bradley Act was passed in 1992 and outlawed sports betting nationwide (expect Nevada of course).
Years have been spent trying to overturn PASPA, hoping to legalize, regulate, and tax sports betting. And Monday, persistence prevailed. The Supreme Court cited the violation of the 10th Amendment, stating it allowed federal law to commandeer states’ rights as it pertained to sports betting.
While this is a GIANT step in the right direction, many questions still exist:
- Will sports organizations receive a “cut”??
- Will EVERY state participate??
- Will each sports’ integrity remain intact??
Yes, each sports organization is going to attempt to receive their piece of the pie. That’s logical, reasonable, and will happen.

I can’t speak for Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, etc., but every state SHOULD participate. It’s a money making venture, and last I checked, states are in the money making business.
Integrity. It’s a funny word. Does such a thing exist?? If so, does it exist in sports betting?! People are funny. Integrity exists in 95% of people — everywhere. There will ALWAYS be a small percentage, whether in sports betting, banking, religion, politics, etc., that will look for a shortcut. An advantage by cutting corners, that may, in turn, compromise integrity. That my friends, is called human nature.
So, to think the legalization of sports betting is going to compromise the integrity of sports, is laughable. That 5% already exists, you just pretend not to see it.
What WILL happen: Increased accessibility. Casual fans, who never imagined betting on the outcome of a game before, may be enticed to lay some action.
Forgive me, but all I can think about is Dumb & Dumber:

Lloyd: I’ll bet you twenty dollars I can get you gambling before the day is out!
Harry: No!
Lloyd: I’ll give you three to one odds.
Harry: No.
Lloyd: Five to one.
Harry: No.
Lloyd: Ten to one?
Harry: You’re on!
Lloyd: I’m gonna get ya!
Harry: Nu uh!
Lloyd: I don’t know how but I’m gonna get ya.
Classic!!
Sports betting, gambling, lottery, cigarettes, and alcohol. All can be harmful if utilized the wrong way, but where do we draw the line?? THAT is THE question. The answer, however, is an opinion. Mine believes freedom and personal responsibility are the answers. Unfortunately, they don’t collide in the same sentence often enough….
How do you feel about the legalization of sports betting???? Please tell me in the comment section below.
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