Times are changing in the United States as an ever-increasing number of states opt to remove the long-running and often controversial ban on sportsbook betting. For generations, any fan had to make the trek to Las Vegas if they wanted to enjoy horse racing, basketball, soccer, online football betting or any other form of sports gambling. The trip put many off, even attempting to wager on the NFL, while those who did make it to Sin City often celebrated by gambling more than they had planned to.
It was a messy situation, but one that appears to be something for the history books. The US is moving towards the betting model made famous by the UK, where gambling has been widely available, legal and regulated since 1961. Online gambling isn’t without its dangers, and there are concerns over what legalising betting will do to the US population, creating the possibility for problem gambling, anti-social behaviour and even money laundering.
