Social Justice Policy Brief #184 | Katie Lever | November 13, 2025
The Issues
The legal landscape of sports betting has been tumultuous for years now. Last February, for instance, Ohio banned prop bets on college sports and federal legislation to limit sports betting advertising has been introduced. Going further back, the 2017 Murphy v. NCAA Supreme Court ruling reversed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which was passed in 1992 and prohibited sports gambling in most states, allowing for such a legal landscape today. Justice Samuel Alito authored the opinion and argued that the PASPA violated the 10th amendment which protects the power of the states. As of 2025, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting to some extent, whether through in-person or virtual avenues.
Legalizing sports betting has always had its fair share of pros and cons. Critics point out that one of the cons of a legal sports betting industry is that it offers legitimacy to an industry that is to some extent, dependent on addiction. It’s also hard to ignore the monetary pull of sports gambling, as ESPN reported earlier this year that sports betting brought in $13.7 billion dollars in revenue. The digital nature of sports betting also creates what is called “frictionless gambling,” which is gambling that exists without traditional barriers like entry fees, that streamline the gambling process and make it easier and more accessible, especially for minors. Experts also note that, while alcohol or cigarettes are known to be addictive, similar initiatives highlighting the addictiveness of gambling do not exist on the same scale, leaving consumers less aware of their potential to develop a gambling addiction than, say, alcoholism.
Analysis
Some argue that legalizing sports betting has also put athletes at increased risk of addiction and harassment. Because college athletes are easier to physically locate and digitally access than the pros, safety issues like stalking, harassment, threats, and abuse from irate gamblers arise. This concern is bolstered by the NCAA’s data. A recent report shows that 12% of online abuse aimed at college athletes come from sports bettors. These numbers spike during peak athletic seasons like March Madness, when women basketball athletes are three times more likely than men to be victims of gambling-related abuse online than male basketball players. Add to these critiques a history of point shaving and match fixing, dating back to the 1919 World Series tainted by the infamous “Black Sox scandal,” and sports betting has faced significant pushback for decades. Such history has critics wondering if the current state of sports betting is eroding the integrity of fair competition in sports.
However, supporters of legalization and regulation of sports betting argue that, legalized or not, sports betting is a hugely popular vice that needs legal guardrails for consumer protection. Like any other legal vice, regulation of sports betting is key to consumer safety. Without a regulated industry, dedicated gamblers will find unregulated markets abroad and face further stigma should they fall into addiction. Legal, regulated gambling markets ensure gamblers see helpful messaging and addiction resources, while unregulated markets leave them with all the risks and no support.
Regardless, it is clear after the Murphy v. NCAA ruling that sports betting in the United States is here to stay. And a more digital gambling landscape necessitates policies that put consumer safety first, expand education on addiction, and guarantee real support for those at risk or already affected.