In the United States, sports betting has become mainstream. Many consumers place their wagers without thinking twice about the consequences. Even the NBA and NFL, which are considered to be on a level playing field, have sports betting regulations. The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network received 270,000 inquiries last year, a rise of 45 percent from the year before. Experts are calling for more regulation to prevent problem gambling. However, the sports betting industry doesn’t agree.

The Black Sox scandal helped to bring the sport’s gambling regulations into question. While the scandal shook the sport’s gambling industry, lessons learned from it have been lost in time. The NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and NCAA have forged lucrative deals with sports books to capitalize on the growing sports betting market. As of 2018, the industry was valued at $26 billion and is predicted to continue to grow.

Sports betting has become legal in more than half of U.S. states, with more likely to follow in the coming years. Although this change in attitudes has been positive, there are still some ambiguities in the industry. Despite the risks associated with sports gambling, the practice is becoming increasingly mainstream.

Many experts worry that the proliferation of sports gambling may encourage young people to develop a gambling addiction. This is especially a concern given the fact that addiction rates are on the rise. Although sports gambling is legal, it is also a serious problem. The newest technology makes it easy to bet on sports.