Form of gambling
Odds boards in a Las Vegas sportsbook
Sports betting is the activity of
predicting sports results and placing a⚾️ wager on the outcome.
Sports bettors place
their wagers either legally, through a bookmaker/sportsbook, or illegally through
privately run enterprises referred⚾️ to as "bookies". The term "book" is a reference to
the books used by wage brokers to track wagers, payouts,⚾️ and debts. Many legal
sportsbooks are found online, operated over the Internet from jurisdictions separate
from the clients they serve,⚾️ usually to get around various gambling laws (such as the
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 in the United⚾️ States) in select
markets, such as Las Vegas, or on gambling cruises through self-serve kiosks.[1] There
are different types of⚾️ legalized sports betting now such as game betting, parlays props
and future bets. They take bets "up-front", meaning the bettor⚾️ must pay the sportsbook
before placing the bet. Due to the nature of their business, illegal bookies can
operate anywhere⚾️ but only require money from losing bettors and do not require the
wagered money up front, creating the possibility of⚾️ debt to the bookie from the bettor.
This creates a number of other criminal elements, thus furthering their
illegality.
There have⚾️ been a number of sports betting scandals, affecting the
integrity of sports events through various acts including point shaving (players
⚾️ affecting the score by missing shots), spot-fixing (a player action is fixed), bad
calls from officials at key moments, and⚾️ overall match-fixing (the overall result of
the event is fixed). Examples include the 1919 World Series, the alleged (and later
⚾️ admitted) illegal gambling of former baseball player Pete Rose, and former NBA referee
Tim Donaghy.
Types of bets
United States
Betting on the⚾️ Favorite, an 1870 engraving
published in Harper's Weekly
Moneyline bets do not have a spread or handicap, and
require the chosen⚾️ team to win the game outright. The favored team pays lower odds than
does the underdog; thus, it acts mainly⚾️ as an enticement to take the underdog for a
better payout. Sometimes a bettor may couple this type of bet⚾️ on the favored team to
increase the payout of a parlay.
do not have a spread or handicap, and require the
⚾️ chosen team to win the game outright. The favored team pays lower odds than does the
underdog; thus, it acts⚾️ mainly as an enticement to take the underdog for a better
payout. Sometimes a bettor may couple this type of⚾️ bet on the favored team to increase
the payout of a parlay. Spread betting are wagers that are made against⚾️ the spread. The
spread, or line, is a number assigned by the bookmakers which handicaps one team and
favors another⚾️ when two teams play each other and one is perceived as being more likely
to win. The favorite "gives" points⚾️ from the final score, and the underdog "takes"
points. This number can also be in increments of half-a-point (.5) even⚾️ though very few
sports have .5 point scoring (i.e., The Ryder Cup), to avoid the possibility of a
tie.
For example,⚾️ before game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat were expected to
beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. The⚾️ line read: Miami −3.5, Oklahoma City +3.5.[2] To
determine who wins against the spread, the line is either added or⚾️ subtracted from a
team's final score. In the above example, if the bettor chose Miami, for him to win his
⚾️ bet, Miami would have to win the game by 4 points or more. If a bettor took Oklahoma
City, they⚾️ would have to win outright or lose by 3 points or fewer. If the final
adjusted score is a tie,⚾️ the bet is considered a push. The half point at the end is
sometimes added to eliminate the possibility of⚾️ a push. This is the most common type of
bet in American sports betting.
Total (Over/Under) bets are wagers made based⚾️ on the
total score between both teams. In an example, if an MLB game has a total of 10.5, an
⚾️ over bettor will want the combined total to be greater, and the opposite for a bettor
taking the under. If⚾️ the combined total is the same as the proposed total, the bet is a
push. Most sports books refund all⚾️ wagers on pushes, though a minority counts them as
losses.
are wagers made based on the total score between both teams.⚾️ In an example, if
an MLB game has a total of 10.5, an over bettor will want the combined total⚾️ to be
greater, and the opposite for a bettor taking the under. If the combined total is the
same as⚾️ the proposed total, the bet is a push. Most sports books refund all wagers on
pushes, though a minority counts⚾️ them as losses. Proposition bets are wagers made on a
very specific outcome of a match not related to the⚾️ final score, usually of a
statistical nature. Examples include predicting the number of goals a star player
scores in an⚾️ association football match, betting whether a player will run for a
certain number of yards in an American football game,⚾️ or wagering that a baseball
player on one team will accumulate more hits than another player on the opposing
team.
are⚾️ wagers made on a very specific outcome of a match not related to the final
score, usually of a statistical⚾️ nature. Examples include predicting the number of goals
a star player scores in an association football match, betting whether a⚾️ player will
run for a certain number of yards in an American football game, or wagering that a
baseball player⚾️ on one team will accumulate more hits than another player on the
opposing team. Parlays. A parlay involves multiple bets⚾️ that rewards successful bettors
with a greater payout only if all bets in the parlay win. A parlay is at⚾️ least two
bets, but can be as many as the bookmaker will allow.
The possible payout of the parlay
is determined⚾️ by the combined likelihood of all bets placed. A parlay of riskier bets
(more underdogs) will pay greater than a⚾️ parlay of more likely bets (more favorites).
In a parlay, all bets need to win in order for the parlay⚾️ to win. If one of the bets on
a parlay loses, the whole parlay loses. In the event of a⚾️ push, the pushed bet would be
taken out of the parlay and the parlay would bump down to a set⚾️ of odds without that
bet. Parlays are very appealing to bettors because they pay out much more than the
total⚾️ winnings of their constituent straight bets. However, it is much more difficult
to hit on a parlay than it is⚾️ on a single wager.
Teasers. A teaser is a parlay that
gives the bettor an advantage at a lower, but still⚾️ positive, payout if successful.
The
bettor selects the sport(s), number of games, and number of points given. If the bettor
takes⚾️ two NBA games at +6.5 it will adjust the individual bets at that rate. So a bet
on a 3-point⚾️ underdog at +3 will become a bet at +9.5 points, and for favorites, it
will change a 3-point favorite at⚾️ −3 to +3.5 points. Although the rules to win his bet
are the same as a parlay, he is paid⚾️ less than a regular parlay due to the increased
odds of winning.
If bets . An if bet consists of at⚾️ least two straight bets joined by
an if clause, which determines the wager process. If the player's first selection
complies⚾️ with the condition (clause), then the second selection will have action; if
the second selection complies with the condition, then⚾️ the third selection will have
action and so on.
. An if bet consists of at least two straight bets joined⚾️ by an if
clause, which determines the wager process. If the player's first selection complies
with the condition (clause), then⚾️ the second selection will have action; if the second
selection complies with the condition, then the third selection will have⚾️ action and so
on. Run line, puck line, or goal line bets . These are wagers offered as alternatives
to⚾️ money line wagers in baseball, hockey, or soccer, respectively. These bets are
effectively point spread bets that have the same⚾️ money line odds on either side of the
wager (i.e., industry standard of −110 to −115). Sportsbooks will occasionally shift
⚾️ the moneyline by a few points on either side of these spread bets.
. These are wagers
offered as alternatives to⚾️ money line wagers in baseball, hockey, or soccer,
respectively. These bets are effectively point spread bets that have the same⚾️ money
line odds on either side of the wager (i.e., industry standard of −110 to −115).
Sportsbooks will occasionally shift⚾️ the moneyline by a few points on either side of
these spread bets. Futures wagers. While all sports wagers are⚾️ by definition on future
events, bets listed as "futures" generally have a long-term horizon measured in weeks
or months; for⚾️ example, a bet that a certain NFL team will win the Super Bowl for the
upcoming season. Such a bet⚾️ can be made before the season starts in September for the
best possible payout, but futures are typically available year-round,⚾️ with payouts
being reduced as the season progresses and it becomes easier to predict a champion. In
this example, winning⚾️ bets will not pay off until the conclusion of the Super Bowl in
January or February (although many of the⚾️ losing bets will be clear well before then
and can be closed out by the book). Odds for such a⚾️ bet generally are expressed in a
ratio of units paid to unit wagered. The team wagered upon might be 50–1⚾️ (or +5000) to
win the Super Bowl, which means that the bet will pay 50 times the amount wagered if
⚾️ the team does so. In general, most sportsbooks will prefer this type of wager due to
the low win-probability, and⚾️ also the longer period of time in which the house holds
the player's money while the bet is pending. For⚾️ this same reason, most professional
bettors do not prefer to place futures bets.
A sportsbook may choose to buy in-play
futures⚾️ wagers at a price below the actual payout before a championship is decided if
the potential payout is very high⚾️ (and thus, damaging to the sportsbook due to the
money that may be lost). The most recent example of this⚾️ was when Leicester City
pursued and went on to win the 2024/16 Premier League.[3]
Head-to-Head . In these bets,
bettor predicts⚾️ competitors results against each other and not on the overall result of
the event. One example are Formula One races,⚾️ where you bet on two or three drivers and
their placement among the others. Sometimes you can also bet a⚾️ "tie", in which one or
both drivers either have the same time, drop out, or get disqualified.
. In these bets,
⚾️ bettor predicts competitors results against each other and not on the overall result of
the event. One example are Formula⚾️ One races, where you bet on two or three drivers and
their placement among the others. Sometimes you can also⚾️ bet a "tie", in which one or
both drivers either have the same time, drop out, or get disqualified. Totalizators⚾️ .
In totalizators (sometimes called flexible-rate bets) the odds are changing in
real-time according to the share of total exchange⚾️ each of the possible outcomes have
received taking into account the return rate of the bookmaker offering the bet. For
⚾️ example: If the bookmakers return percentage is 90%, 90% of the amount placed on the
winning result will be given⚾️ back to bettors and 10% goes to the bookmaker. Naturally
the more money bet on a certain result, the smaller⚾️ the odds on that outcome become.
This is similar to parimutuel wagering in horse racing and dog racing.
. In
totalizators⚾️ (sometimes called flexible-rate bets) the odds are changing in real-time
according to the share of total exchange each of the⚾️ possible outcomes have received
taking into account the return rate of the bookmaker offering the bet. For example: If
the⚾️ bookmakers return percentage is 90%, 90% of the amount placed on the winning result
will be given back to bettors⚾️ and 10% goes to the bookmaker. Naturally the more money
bet on a certain result, the smaller the odds on⚾️ that outcome become. This is similar
to parimutuel wagering in horse racing and dog racing. Half bets . A half⚾️ (halftime)
bet applies only to the score of the first or second half. This bet can be placed on
the⚾️ spread (line) or over/under. This can also be applied to a specific quarter in
American football or basketball, a fewer⚾️ number of innings in baseball, or a specific
period in hockey.
. A half (halftime) bet applies only to the score⚾️ of the first or
second half. This bet can be placed on the spread (line) or over/under. This can also
⚾️ be applied to a specific quarter in American football or basketball, a fewer number of
innings in baseball, or a⚾️ specific period in hockey. In-play betting. In-play betting,
or live betting, is a fairly new feature offered by some online⚾️ sports books that
enables bettors to place new bets while a sporting event is in progress. In-play
betting first appeared⚾️ towards the end of the 1990s when some bookmakers would take
bets over the telephone whilst a sports event was⚾️ in progress, and has now evolved into
a popular online service in many countries.[4] The introduction of in-play betting has
⚾️ allowed bookmakers to increase the number of markets available to bet on during sports
events, and gamblers are able to⚾️ place bets based on many types of in-game activity
during the matches. For example, in football matches, it is possible⚾️ to bet in on
in-play markets including the match result, half-time score, number of goals scored in
the first or⚾️ second half of the game, the number of yellow cards during the match, and
the name of the goal scorers.[4]⚾️ The availability of a particular sport and in-play
markets varies from bookmaker to bookmaker. In-play sports betting has structural
characteristics⚾️ that have changed the mechanics of gambling for sports bettors, as they
can now place a larger number of bets⚾️ during a single sports game (as opposed to a
single bet on who is going to win). One of the⚾️ most important differences between being
able to place an in-running sports bet opposed to a pre-match bet is that the⚾️ nature of
the market has been turned what was previously a discontinuous form of gambling into a
continuous one. The⚾️ gambling study literature has suggested that in-play sports betting
may offer more of a risk to problem gamblers because it⚾️ allows the option for
high-speed continuous betting and requires rapid and impulsive decisions in the absence
of time for reflection.[4]⚾️ There are three different types of in-play sports betting
products(cash out, Edit my Acca, and Edit my Bet).
Cash Out .⚾️ Cash Out betting
functionality lets the user of a betting website take profit early if their bet is
coming in,⚾️ or get some of their stake back if their bet is going against them—all
before the event is over. Cash⚾️ Out offers are optionally made by the website in real
time on some current bets held by the user and⚾️ are optionally taken by the user by
clicking on a button on the webpage to "Cash out". Cash Out sports⚾️ betting
functionality developed on digital betting websites after 2008 with the evolution of
betting exchanges. It was later adopted by⚾️ online sports books and suppliers of betting
software. 'Cash out' is offered to users by online sportsbook operators based on⚾️ the
profitability of offering the option to the user to divest their existing bet on an
outcome and is sometimes⚾️ available on singles and multiples. It is regularly offered on
a wide range of sports, including American football, tennis, horse⚾️ racing, basketball,
and most other markets. You can Cash Out of bets pre-play, in-play, and between legs,
before the outcome⚾️ of the event. It has proved a key customer retention tool for sports
book operators looking to capitalize on the⚾️ use of mobile handsets while the
bettor/user is also watching a given event. [4]
. Cash Out betting functionality lets
the⚾️ user of a betting website take profit early if their bet is coming in, or get some
of their stake⚾️ back if their bet is going against them—all before the event is over.
Cash Out offers are optionally made by⚾️ the website in real time on some current bets
held by the user and are optionally taken by the user⚾️ by clicking on a button on the
webpage to "Cash out". Cash Out sports betting functionality developed on digital
betting⚾️ websites after 2008 with the evolution of betting exchanges. It was later
adopted by online sports books and suppliers of⚾️ betting software. 'Cash out' is offered
to users by online sportsbook operators based on the profitability of offering the
option⚾️ to the user to divest their existing bet on an outcome and is sometimes
available on singles and multiples. It⚾️ is regularly offered on a wide range of sports,
including American football, tennis, horse racing, basketball, and most other markets.
⚾️ You can Cash Out of bets pre-play, in-play, and between legs, before the outcome of the
event. It has proved⚾️ a key customer retention tool for sports book operators looking to
capitalize on the use of mobile handsets while the⚾️ bettor/user is also watching a given
event. Edit My Acca . This feature allows gamblers to remove selections from their
⚾️ accumulator after the bet has been placed and in some instances after the selected
event has started. The betting slip⚾️ is then revised to feature the amended selections
and a new potential return amount. This can be done online or⚾️ via a mobile device.
[4]
. This feature allows gamblers to remove selections from their accumulator after
the bet has been⚾️ placed and in some instances after the selected event has started. The
betting slip is then revised to feature the⚾️ amended selections and a new potential
return amount. This can be done online or via a mobile device. Edit My⚾️ Bet. The "edit
bet" feature can be used by gamblers to "unsettle straight accumulators" before matches
have started or whilst⚾️ they are in-play. The feature can also be used for to swap
single bets for new bets, and the gambler⚾️ is given a new bet selection valued at the
bookie's cash out price to reflect live market/game odds for the⚾️ original
bet.[4]
Bookmaking
The bookmaker functions as a market maker for sports wagers, most of
which have a binary outcome: a team⚾️ either wins or loses. The bookmaker accepts both
wagers, and maintains a spread (the vigorish) which will ensure a profit⚾️ regardless of
the outcome of the wager. The Federal Wire Act of 1961 was an attempt by the US
government⚾️ to prevent illegal bookmaking.[5] However, this Act does not apply to other
types of online gambling.[6] The Supreme Court has⚾️ not ruled on the meaning of the
Federal Wire Act as it pertains to online gambling.
Bookmakers usually hold an 11–10
⚾️ advantage over their customers—for small wagers it is closer to a 6–5 advantage—so the
bookmaker will most likely survive over⚾️ the long term. Successful bookmakers must be
able to withstand a large short term loss. (Boyd, 1981)
Many of the leading⚾️ gambling
bookmakers from the 1930s to the 1960s got their start during the prohibition era of
the 1920s. They were⚾️ often descendants of the influx of immigrants coming into the US
at this time. Although the common stereotype is that⚾️ these bookies were of Italian
descent, many leading bookies were of eastern European ancestry.[7]
Odds
Odds for
different outcomes in single bet⚾️ are presented either in European format (decimal
odds), UK format (fractional odds), or American format (money line odds). European
format⚾️ (decimal odds) are used in continental Europe, Canada, and Australia. They are
the ratio of the full payout to the⚾️ stake, in a decimal format. Decimal odds of 2.00
are an even bet. UK format (fractional odds) are used by⚾️ British bookmakers. They are
the ratio of the amount won to the stake – the solidus "/" is pronounced "to"⚾️ for
example 7/1 "seven to one". Fractional odds of 1/1 are an even bet. US format odds are
the amount⚾️ won on a 100 stake when positive, and the stake needed to win 100 when
negative. US odds of 100⚾️ are an even bet.
Decimal Fractional US Hong Kong Indo Malay
Implied probability 1.50 1/2 −200 0.50 −2.00 0.50 1 in⚾️ 1.5 = 67% 2.00 Evens (1/1) +100
1.00 1.00 1.00 1 in 2 = 50% 2.50 6/4 +150 1.50 1.50⚾️ −0.67 1 in 2.5 = 40% 3.00 2/1 +200
2.00 2.00 −0.50 1 in 3 = 33%
Conversion formulas x To⚾️ Do this Decimal Fractional x−1,
then convert to fraction Decimal US 100(x−1) if x>2; −100/(x−1) if x<2 Fractional
Decimal divide⚾️ fraction, then x+1 Fractional US divide fraction, then 100x if x≥1;
−100/x if x<1 US Decimal (x/100)+1 if x>0; (−100/x)+1⚾️ if x<0 US Fractional x/100 if
x>0; −100/x if x<0 Decimal Hong Kong x−1 Hong Kong Indo x if x≥1;⚾️ −1/x if x<1 Hong Kong
Malay x if x≤1; −1/x if x>1
In Asian betting markets, other frequently used formats for
⚾️ expressing odds include Hong Kong, Malaysian, and Indonesian-style odds formats. Odds
are also quite often expressed in terms of implied⚾️ probability, which corresponds to
the probability with which the event in question would need to occur for the bet to⚾️ be
a break-even proposition (on the average).
Many online tools also exist for automated
conversion between these odds formats.
In setting odds,⚾️ the bookmaker is subject to a
number of limitations:[8]
The probability implied by the odds should be greater than
the true⚾️ probability for each possible outcome to guarantee positive expected
profit.
If the wagers on each outcome are made in ratio to⚾️ the implied odds, then the
bookmaker is guaranteed a profit (balanced book).
Legality
In many countries,
bookmaking (the profession of accepting sports⚾️ wagers) is regulated but not
criminalized.
The opinions of betting from sport authorities are mixed. The United
States National Football League⚾️ was previously fully against any sort of legalization
of sports betting prior to the late 2010s, strongly protesting it as⚾️ to not bring
corruption into the game.[citation needed] On the other hand, the CEO of the
International Cricket Council believe⚾️ sports betting, in particular in India, should be
legalized to curb illegal bookies where match fixing has occurred from nontransparent
⚾️ bookmakers.[citation needed] According to the Law Commission of India, all forms of
gambling are illegal. Online sports betting is a⚾️ gray area and is not banned by any
particular law in the Indian legal system. That is because specific provisions
⚾️ distinguish between games of chance and games of skill.[citation needed]
United
States
Map of sports betting legality as of October 15, 2024[9]
Sports⚾️ betting legal
Sports betting illegal Kentucky has since legalized sports betting, with betting to go
live no later than December⚾️ 28, 2024.[10]
In the United States, it was previously
illegal under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA)⚾️ for
states to authorize legal sports betting, hence making it effectively illegal. The
states of Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon—which⚾️ had pre-existing sports lotteries
and sports betting frameworks, were grandfathered in and exempted from the effects of
the Act.[11][12] PASPA⚾️ was struck down by the Supreme Court in Murphy v. National
Collegiate Athletic Association in 2024, paving the way for⚾️ other states to legalize
sports betting.
In May 2024, it was reported that since the Supreme Court's PASPA
decision, overR$20 billion⚾️ had been spent on sports betting in the United States.[13]
As of May 2024, 30 states and Washington, D.C. have⚾️ operational legalized sports
betting, while an additional four states have legalized it, but have not yet launched
legal sportsbooks.[9]
European Union
In⚾️ the European Union (EU), sports betting
legality varies among member states. Generally, the EU does not criminalize sports
betting, but⚾️ requires operators to obtain specific licenses within individual
countries. Key directives, such as the Services Directive and consumer protection laws,
⚾️ influence the regulatory landscape. Each EU country sets its rules, impacting online
and offline betting. Certain countries have recently updated⚾️ regulations (such as the
GlüStV 2024 in Germany[14]), while the EU works to harmonize diverse laws.
Rest of the
world
Outside the⚾️ EU, regions approach sports betting differently. In Asia, some
countries allow licensed betting while illegal markets thrive in others. Africa⚾️ sees a
growing industry with varying regulations. Australia boasts a well-regulated betting
environment focusing on online and offline options. Latin⚾️ America, led by countries
like Colombia, is embracing regulated online markets. Meanwhile, the Middle East,
including nations like Saudi Arabia⚾️ and the UAE, strictly prohibits all gambling
activities, including sports betting,[15] due to cultural and religious
reasons.
Positions of American professional⚾️ sports leagues
The positions of the four
major American sports leagues (representing American football, baseball, basketball,
and ice hockey) have become⚾️ more complex since their decision to embrace daily fantasy
sports (DFS) in 2014, which are described by those within the⚾️ industry as "almost
identical to a casino" in nature. With the contention by critics that such activities
blur the lines⚾️ between gambling and fantasy sports, the endorsement of all four major
sports leagues and many individual franchises provided a marked⚾️ contrast to their
positions on betting.[16] Professional sports leagues updated their positions again on
May 14, 2024, when the Supreme⚾️ Court of the United States overturned the Professional
and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA).
NBA
While the National Basketball
Association⚾️ (NBA) was once active in preventing sports betting law relaxation, current
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver became the first major sports⚾️ leader to break from
previous administrative opposition to gambling. In 2014 he stated in a New York Times
op-ed, "I⚾️ believe that sports betting should be brought out of the underground and into
the sunlight where it can be appropriately⚾️ monitored and regulated."[17] In 2024, with
support for legalization growing, he confirmed his belief that "legalized sports
betting is inevitable".[18]
Silver⚾️ released the following statement following the
Supreme Court's overturning of PASPA: "Today's decision by the Supreme Court opens the
door⚾️ for states to pass laws legalizing sports betting. We remain in favor of a federal
framework that would provide a⚾️ uniform approach to sports gambling in states that
choose to permit it, but we will remain active in ongoing discussions⚾️ with state
legislatures. Regardless of the particulars of any future sports betting law, the
integrity of our game remains our⚾️ highest priority."[19]
MLB
Major League Baseball
(MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred has also advocated the league changing its stance on
sports betting, with⚾️ both Manfred and Silver noting that the scale of illegal sports
betting makes opposition to betting meaningless. He also stated⚾️ a willingness to "try
to shape" any future legislation at federal level. This was noted as a marked contrast
to⚾️ former Commissioner of the MLB Bud Selig, with Manfred going beyond tacit approval
and stating, "There is this buzz out⚾️ there in terms of people feeling that there may be
an opportunity here for additional legalized sports betting."[20]
MLB released the
⚾️ following statement when the Supreme Court overturned PASPA: "Today's decision by the
United States Supreme Court will have profound effects⚾️ on Major League Baseball. As
each state considers whether to allow sports betting, we will continue to seek the
proper⚾️ protections for our sport, in partnership with other professional sports. Our
most important priority is protecting the integrity of our⚾️ games. We will continue to
support legislation that creates air-tight coordination and partnerships between the
state, the casino operators and⚾️ the governing bodies in sports toward that
goal."[21]
In April 2024, league-owned television channel MLB Network launched Pregame
Spread, a weekday⚾️ afternoon show hosted by Matt Vasgersian dedicated to analysis of
betting lines and other aspects of sports gambling.[22]
NFL
The National Football
⚾️ League (NFL) remains the only sports league to maintain public opposition to sports
betting, however critics have noted that with⚾️ the move of the Oakland Raiders to Las
Vegas in 2024, the NFL has positioned itself for legalization, while simultaneously
⚾️ contradicting its long-held position that sports betting in NFL markets would lead to
potential match-fixing.[23] Commissioner Roger Goodell agreed with⚾️ Manfred in a July
2024 seminar that betting on in-game events, as opposed to the outcome of games, was a
⚾️ more palatable form of sports betting.[24]
Like the NBA and MLB, the NFL issued a
statement on May 14, 2024. It⚾️ emphasized the league's commitment to protecting the
integrity of the game: "The NFL's long-standing and unwavering commitment to protecting
the⚾️ integrity of our game remains absolute." Moreover, the NFL called on Congress to
craft a Federal framework for regulated sports⚾️ betting. "Congress has long recognized
the potential harms posed by sports betting to the integrity of sporting contests and
the⚾️ public confidence in these events. Given that history, we intend to call on
Congress again, this time to enact a⚾️ core regulatory framework for legalized sports
betting."[25]
NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) has not stated a public position for
or against⚾️ sports betting, with Commissioner Gary Bettman noting that they are smaller
than the NBA and NFL and less vulnerable to⚾️ negative issues as a result. The NHL was
the first major professional league to place a team in Nevada, when⚾️ the expansion Vegas
Golden Knights took the ice in 2024: since then the league has signed sponsorship
agreements with William⚾️ Hill and MGM Resorts International that include betting
partnerships and access to in-play data. Other clubs in states with legal⚾️ sports
gambling, such as the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, also have similar
sponsorships with bookmakers.
Following other US professional⚾️ sports leagues, the NHL
acknowledged the Supreme Court's PASPA decision with an internal review of its
policies. "The Supreme Court's⚾️ decision today paves the way to an entirely different
landscape – one in which we have not previously operated. We⚾️ will review our current
practices and policies and decide whether adjustments are needed, and if so, what those
adjustments will⚾️ look like. It's important to emphasize that the Supreme Court's
decision has no immediate impact on existing League rules relating⚾️ to sports wagering,
and particularly, wagering involving NHL games."[26]
Other leagues
Major League Soccer
(MLS) the top soccer league in the United⚾️ States and Canada has expressed sports
betting as a possible way to gain popularity. Commissioner Don Garber has stated about
⚾️ sports gambling, " We have a project going on now to really dig in deeply and
understand it. I'll join⚾️ the chorus of saying it's time to bring it out of the dark
ages. We're doing what we can to⚾️ figure out how to manage that effectively."[27]
The
Alliance of American Football and XFL have both publicly endorsed gambling on their
⚾️ games, with the AAF securing a partnership with MGM Resorts International[28] and the
XFL partnering with DraftKings.[29]
Advocacy and lobbying
The American⚾️ Gaming
Association stated in June 2024, that a coalition will advocate for the repeal of the
United States' sports betting⚾️ ban.[30]
In February 2024, a lobbying document surfaced
advocating a new position held by the NBA and MLB – that sports⚾️ leagues should be
financially compensated for betting activity.[31]
Position of American NCAA
Perhaps the
most extreme ban on sports betting is imposed⚾️ by the NCAA, the main governing body for
U.S. college sports. The NCAA reified their position in the wake of⚾️ various betting
scandals, including the 1992 University of Nevada, Las Vegas and 1994 Arizona State
University Point shaving scandals.[32][33] As⚾️ states began legalizing sports betting in
the late 2010s, the NCAA signaled a shift in tone. In 2024, then-NCAA President⚾️ Mark
Emmert talked about Las Vegas possibly hosting the NCAA Division I men's basketball
tournament in the future.[34]
Emmert acknowledged the⚾️ Supreme Court's overturn of PASPA
on May 14, 2024,[35][36] restating the NCAA's strong commitment to competition and its
student-athletes. "Our⚾️ highest priorities in any conversation about sports wagering are
maintaining the integrity of competition and student-athlete well-being." Emmert also
emphasized⚾️ the importance of proper federal regulation. "While we recognize the
critical role of state governments, strong federal standards are necessary⚾️ to safeguard
the integrity of college sports and the athletes who play these games at all
levels."[37]
Three days after the⚾️ Supreme Court ruling, the NCAA suspended its policy
prohibiting championship events from being held in states with legal sports betting.
⚾️ The policy was fully rescinded in May 2024. In October 2024, Las Vegas was awarded the
West Regional of the⚾️ 2024 Division I men's basketball tournament; the Frozen Four, the
final phase of the Division I men's hockey tournament, in⚾️ 2026; and the men's
basketball Final Four in 2028.[38]
As of the 2024–22 school year, the official manuals
for all three⚾️ NCAA divisions still expressly ban a member institution's athletic
department staff, non-athletic staff with responsibilities related to athletic
activities, athletic⚾️ conference staff, and student athletes from knowingly
participating in sports wagering activities.[39][40][41]
This ban covers all
competitions, whether intercollegiate, amateur, or⚾️ professional, as well as team
practices, in any sport in which the NCAA conducts a championship, plus Division I FBS
⚾️ football (whose championships have never been operated by the NCAA) and all sports
within the scope of the NCAA Emerging⚾️ Sports for Women program.[42] The only exception
is traditional wagers between institutions, most commonly associated with rivalries or
bowl games;⚾️ according to the NCAA, "items wagered must be representative of the
involved institutions or the states in which they are⚾️ located".[43]
The NCAA maintains
that "Sports wagering has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests
and jeopardizes the well-being⚾️ of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics
community. It also demeans the competition and competitors alike by spreading a message
that⚾️ is contrary to the purpose and meaning of 'sport.'"[44]
Positions of other sports
leagues and governing bodies
Premier League kit of West⚾️ Ham United sponsorship by
Betway
The Football Association, the governing body for association football in
England, has imposed football betting bans⚾️ on all individuals involved in the
sport—players, managers, match officials, and club staff. The scope of these bans
varies based⚾️ on level of the English football pyramid.[45][46]
The following
individuals are banned from betting on any football-related matter worldwide, or
providing⚾️ inside information to any individual who can reasonably be assumed to use
said information for betting purposes:
All players, managers, and⚾️ club staff associated
with any club occupying any of the top eight levels of the men's league system (the
Premier⚾️ League, English Football League, and the top four levels of the National League
system) or the top two levels of⚾️ the women's league system (the Women's Super League
and Women's Championship).
All match officials, plus coaches and assessors thereof, who
operate⚾️ at Level 3 or above in the FA's referee classification system.
Individuals who
are associated at clubs at lower levels of⚾️ the men's or women's league systems, plus
match officials at FA Level 4 or below, are only banned with respect⚾️ to the match or
competition in which they are involved or can influence, and also to the league in
which⚾️ they participate.
All individuals are banned from advertising or promoting any
football betting activity in which FA regulations prohibit them from⚾️ engaging. This,
however, only applies to individuals in their personal capacities. For example, if a
club is sponsored by a⚾️ betting company and said company places its logo on the club's
kit, the team's players are not in violation of⚾️ the betting rules.
International
baseball and softball
The World Baseball Softball Confederation, the international
governing body for baseball and softball, has betting⚾️ rules similar to those of Major
League Baseball. Participants in any WBSC-sanctioned event are banned from betting on
the following:[47]
Any⚾️ WBSC competition in which they are participating.
Any event in
the participant's sport, even if not directly governed by WBSC. For⚾️ example: An
individual involved with a national baseball team cannot bet on a Major League Baseball
game. However, someone involved⚾️ solely with a national softball team can bet on an MLB
game.
Any event in any multisport competition in which an⚾️ individual is participating.
For example, an Olympic baseball or softball player cannot bet on any Olympic event
taking place at⚾️ that specific Summer Olympics.
The WBSC statutes define "participant"
as any player, team staff member (including coaches/managers), tournament official
(such as⚾️ umpires and official scorers), or anyone in an ownership, executive, or staff
role within any entity that organizes or promotes⚾️ a WBSC-sanctioned event.
The betting
ban, as in the case of The FA's rules outlined above, also extends to providing inside
⚾️ information that the tipper could reasonably believe will be used to bet on a WBSC
event.
Cricket
The International Cricket Council imposes⚾️ a blanket ban on what it calls
"corrupt conduct" by anyone it defines as a "participant".[48]
Under the ICC
anti-corruption statutes,⚾️ a "participant" is defined as:
Anyone who has been selected
to play in any international or domestic match that falls under⚾️ the jurisdiction of any
national cricket federation [a] within the previous 24 months (defined by the ICC as a
"player").
within⚾️ the previous 24 months (defined by the ICC as a "player"). Anyone who
"is employed by, represents or is otherwise⚾️ affiliated to" any international or
domestic team falling under the jurisdiction of any national federation (defined by the
ICC as⚾️ "player support personnel"). Those who have served in such a role in the past
remain subject to the code for⚾️ 24 months after the end of their term.
Any cricketer or
player support staffer who is currently under a ban imposed⚾️ for violations of the ICC
anti-corruption code, or the equivalent code of any national federation.
Any ICC
administrative official, match referee,⚾️ pitch curator (groundskeeper), player agent,
umpire, or umpire support staffer.
The ICC shares anti-corruption jurisdiction with
national cricket federations, all of⚾️ which have anti-corruption rules substantially
identical to those of the ICC. The ICC has elaborate mechanisms for determining whether
it⚾️ or a national federation will take action under the relevant anti-corruption code.
In general, the ICC has either exclusive or⚾️ priority jurisdiction over international
matches, while national federations have responsibility for actions relating only to
domestic matches.
The ICC code bans⚾️ the following activities with regard to any
international match, whether or not the participant had any involvement in said match,
⚾️ or any possible means of influencing the outcome:
Any attempted or actual match fixing,
including spot-fixing (i.e., manipulating a specific event⚾️ within a match). However,
manipulation of international matches strictly for strategic or tactical reasons is
specifically excluded from the anti-corruption⚾️ code. Such actions instead constitute
violations of the ICC's code of conduct.
Seeking, offering, accepting, or agreeing to
accept a bribe⚾️ to fix a match or event within a match.
Betting on any match, or on any
event within a match. Soliciting⚾️ such a bet is also banned.
Misuse of inside
information that could reasonably be used for betting purposes.
Providing any benefits
for⚾️ the purpose of violating the code.
Failing to report any attempted violation of the
code by another individual, once the subject⚾️ has become aware of it.
Famous betting
scandals
Joseph J. "Sport" Sullivan was an American bookmaker and gambler from Boston,
Massachusetts who⚾️ helped to initiate the 1919 Black Sox Scandal.
In 1919, the Chicago
White Sox faced the Cincinnati Reds in the World⚾️ Series. This series would go down as
one of the biggest sports scandals of all time. As the story goes,⚾️ professional gambler
Joseph Sullivan paid eight members of the White Sox (Oscar Felsch, Arnold Gandil,
Shoeless Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin,⚾️ Charles Risberg, George Weaver, and Claude
Williams) around 10,000 dollars each to fix the World Series. All eight players were
⚾️ banned from playing professional baseball for the rest of their lives.[49] Pete Rose,
the all-time MLB leader in hits, was⚾️ similarly banned from baseball in 1989 for betting
on games while he was an MLB manager.
The rule against gambling in⚾️ baseball is known as
"Rule 21", which is publicly posted on dugout walls and states: "Any player, umpire, or
club⚾️ or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever on any baseball
game in connection with which the⚾️ bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared
permanently ineligible." People permanently banned from Major League Baseball are also
⚾️ forever banned from entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame, although most such people
have been reinstated a few years⚾️ later by a later Commissioner of Baseball. For
instance, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays were both banned from baseball in⚾️ 1983 after
taking jobs as casino greeters (which would have expelled them from the Hall of Fame
had it been⚾️ allowed to stand); they were reinstated two years later. Only Rose has yet
to be reinstated.
A 1906 betting scandal between⚾️ the Massillon Tigers and Canton
Bulldogs, two of the top teams in professional American football in the early 1900s,
led⚾️ to the demise of "big-money" professional football for several years. Modern
research has suggested that the claims of betting were⚾️ unsubstantiated.
On December 7,
1980, the San Francisco 49ers overcame a halftime deficit of 28 points in what became
the greatest⚾️ regular season comeback victory in NFL regular season history. By the
beginning of the third quarter, notorious Vegas bookmaker Frank⚾️ Rosenthal received
forfeiture notices from 246 San Francisco bettors totaling more thanR$25,000 in
premature winnings. Rosenthal was able to retain⚾️ these winnings despite the outcome of
the game due to gambling regulations previously established by the NAGRA.[50]
The
Cronje Affair was⚾️ an India-South Africa Cricket match fixing scandal that went public
in 2000.[51][52] It began in 1996 when the-then captain of⚾️ the South African national
cricket team, Hansie Cronje, was convinced by Mukesh "John" Gupta, an Indian bookmaker,
to throw a⚾️ match during a Test in Kanpur, India. The scheme was discovered when Delhi
police recorded illegal dealings between Indian bookmaker⚾️ Sanjay Chawla and Cronje.
According to the Telegraph in 2010, Cronje was paid off a total of £65,000 from
Gupta.[53]
Corruption⚾️ in tennis has been long considered as issue.[54] In 2011, the
former world No. 55 Austrian tennis player, Daniel Köllerer,⚾️ became the first tennis
player to be banned for life for attempting to fix matches. The violations were
outstanding between⚾️ October 2009 and July 2010 after The Tennis Integrity Units had
launched an investigation on behalf of the International Tennis⚾️ Federation and the ATP
and WTA tours. In 2004 and 2006, Koellerer was banned for six months due to his⚾️ bad
behavior. In addition, in August 2010, he facilitated betting by placing odds for
matches and had links for placing⚾️ bets.[55]
Machine learning in sports betting
Machine
learning models can make predictions in real time based on data from numerous disparate
sources,⚾️ such as player performance, weather, fan sentiment, etc. Some models have
shown accuracy slightly higher than domain experts.[56] These models⚾️ require a large
amount of data that is comparable and well organized prior to analysis, which makes
them particularly well⚾️ suited to predicting the outcome of Esports matches, where large
amounts of well structured data is available.[57]
See
also
References
Bibliography
Boyd, Kier (1981).⚾️ Gambling Technology Washington, D.C.:
FBI Laboratory
Washington, D.C.: FBI Laboratory Davies, Richard (2001). Betting the
Line Columbus, Ohio: The Ohio State⚾️ University Press ISBN 0-8142-0880-0
Columbus, Ohio:
The Ohio State University Press ISBN 0-8142-0880-0 Finley, Peter (2008). Sports
Scandals Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood⚾️ Press ISBN 978-0-313-34458-9
Westport,
Connecticut: Greenwood Press ISBN 978-0-313-34458-9 Rose, Pete (2004). My Prison
Without Bars St. Martin's Press ISBN 1-57954-927-6
St.⚾️ Martin's Press ISBN
1-57954-927-6 Thompson, William (2001). Gambling in America—An Encyclopedia of History,
Issues, and Society Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO⚾️ ISBN 1-57607-159-6
Media
related to Sports betting at Wikimedia Commons
