Published on: December 31, 2024, 08:59h.
Last revised on: December 31, 2024, 08:59h.
The Washington Post is firm on its stance that the legalization of sports betting in the United States has not resulted in the anticipated benefits and has instead had negative consequences on society.
The WaPo Editorial Board, one of the most influential opinion teams in the US, expressed their disapproval of legal sports betting in a recent op-ed titled “Legalizing Sports Gambling Was a Terrible Bet.”
The editorial argues that with the increase in societal problems and sports scandals, Congress should take action to regulate the betting industry.
According to the opinion piece, sportsbooks have been targeting habitual bettors who lose more frequently while limiting or banning those who win consistently.
The Post states that instead of helping problem gamblers, the industry has encouraged high rollers to gamble more, leading to further losses.
Harsh Critique
Since the legalization of sports betting in the US following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA in 2018, 39 states and Washington, D.C., have embraced the industry. However, the Post claims that the promised benefits have not been fully realized.
The editorial highlights that the supposed advantages of legal sports betting, such as eradicating illegal gambling, generating tax revenue, and enhancing consumer protection, have fallen short of expectations.
“Numerous scandals have tarnished professional sports, while a significant number of college athletes have reported mistreatment,” the editorial added.
WaPo: Call for Congressional Action
The Post editorial asserts that it is imperative for Congress to intervene in the regulation of the sports betting industry.
Despite warnings from lawmakers like Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., there has been little progress in Congress regarding sports betting legislation. The Post urges prompt action to address the issues at hand.
Recently, Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced the SAFE Bet Act, aimed at implementing federal regulations on the sports betting sector, including restrictions on betting ads and funding methods.