Why Sports Betting Isn't as Prevalent as Bingo

Have you ever wondered why more states don't offer sports betting?

Sure, just about every city in every state has bingo in one form or another. State Lotteries seem to be expanding their gaming options. And, you can see new casinos popping up everywhere with all kinds of table games and more. However, very few places outside of Las Vegas offer sports betting. Why is that?

Well, it has to do with the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act passed by our legislature which pretty much bans most sports bets across the nation. Nevada was grandfathered in, along with a couple of other states like Delaware with some limited sports betting possibilities.

Recently, New Jersey has filed a lawsuit to try to get the ban overturned, but it's unclear what chance this lawsuit has. Some say that sports betting's limited margin (just over 5%) make it a less attractive form of legalized gambling for states and others to get involved in. Plus there's always the perception that sports betting causes corruption among some athletes.

Anyway, it's kind of interesting that you find different gambling options proliferating across states, but sports gambling remains off-limits.

For more information, please see David G. Schwartz, Sports betting, as attractive as it seems, not a no-lose proposition, Las Vegas Business Press, September 21, 2009.