Millions of Americans are now betting on NFL games, with a projected $35 billion in bets for 2024. Sports gambling has soared since being legalized in 38 states and D.C., but studies show alarming consequences. Legalization has led to depleted household savings, increased overdrafting of bank accounts, and a 25-30% higher risk of bankruptcy. Even more surprising is the link between sports betting and domestic violence, with states where it’s legal seeing a 9% increase in intimate-partner violence. Despite minimal tax revenue and no decrease in the illegal market, the call to ban sports gambling is growing louder, with the negative impacts outweighing any perceived benefits.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/legal-sports-gambling-was-mistake/679925/