The Relationship Between Sports and Gambling Since the Supreme Court Ruling

Sports betting is a major part of the game for many fans, and it’s now legal in most states. But how does that change the relationship between professional sports leagues and gambling? ESPN’s David Purdum took a look.

PURDUM: What has been the most striking thing to you about this change in the relationship between pro sports and betting since the Supreme Court ruling?

It’s just how quickly things have changed. It’s really been a complete 180, as soon as the ruling came down. You’re seeing odds and lines infused into media coverage of the games now in a way that they weren’t before. And you’re also seeing teams in places where betting is legal make partnerships with sportsbooks, which was something that I don’t think you’d have seen a decade ago.

In a recent Morning Consult poll, 25% of Americans over 21 said they bet on sports at least monthly. That’s up from 10% in January of 2021. That figure is even higher among younger people. And it’s no wonder: The NBA, MLB and NFL are the most popular professional sports leagues, and their fans love to bet on them.

New Hampshire legalized sports betting in 2019 and began rolling it out that fall. Retail options opened in September, and online and mobile betting went live in November. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers and PointsBet are some of the sportsbooks that offer betting in the state. Online and mobile betting is available in Iowa as well, which legalized in 2019. It launched in May of that year, with retail options opening in June.