There once was a day when professional sports leagues disassociated themselves from gambling in sports. So much so Major League Baseball has held up the suspension of Pete Rose, one of the legends in the game, for his admission of gambling on baseball as a manager. The National Basketball Association, like the National Football League, once proclaimed they would never move a team to Las Vegas. Yet, Las Vegas just hosted the NFL’s Super Bowl, and the NBA continues to play their Summer League games there each summer, and one of the worst kept secrets is that they are looking to expand to that market soon.
Though there are currently 13 states that have yet to legalize sports betting in their state, at least four of those states are in discussions to legalize sports betting. The revenue states can gain from legalized betting has become too much to ignore. The states recording the most betting revenues have also recorded the most tax revenues. New Jersey, Nevada, and New York led the states in revenue generated, reporting $1,758,153,555 in taxes generated.
“I think we’re in some ways victims of our own success over the past five years in that we now have 38 states plus DC that have already taken the step of legalizing and regulating sports betting, so there are a lot fewer states left on the board,” AGA senior vice president of government relations Chris Cylke told ESPN. “Some of them have pretty significant political challenges in terms of getting sports betting itself enacted.
Even with the 2023 NFL Super Bowl showing an impressive $2 billion in bets, the National Basketball League is the most preferred sport to bet on in the US, with 52.7%, as of Q3 2023. The NBA’s 50% weekly bets outpaced the NCAA bets by 34% last year. In large part due to the ease of betting apps.
There always has been a blurry line between the fans and athletes. Now that fans are betting more money than ever, they seemingly revere the athletes less while expecting more from them as they put their hard-earned money on their performance.
“It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, everybody that’s involved in it. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it,” Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said recently. “A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that. So, I do think we’re walking a very fine line and we have to be extremely careful in protecting everybody who’s involved.”
It was reported that 42% of sports betters believe that games with wagers on them are often more exciting for sports betters. This investment in excitement may have even caused fans to view athletes as a source of revenue.
“To half the world, I am just helping them to make money on Draft Kings. That’s what most of my social media consist of,” Indiana Pacers Guard Tyrese Haliburton recently told reporters. “I think it all can be funny sometimes. When someone is like, “‘I lost $1,000.’” I’m like, I don’t give a fu*k. I do think it’s important for us to have conversation with people who value us as human beings.”
Other athletes approach this situation much differently and embrace the idea that fans place their financial trust in a chosen athlete’s play on gameday. Openly welcoming the relationship fun and banter that comes with fans betting on sports.
“If you have me on your team, you’re going to be okay,” Washington Commander running back Austin Ekeler explains. “All you other people, I don’t know. But, if you have me on your team, we are going to be fine.”
These leagues post spreads before each game, and fans can bet on any number of games they choose. However, players of all sports franchises are not allowed to bet on games. Whether they play in them or not.
The MLB has posted in every locker in the league, betting on any MLB game is strictly prohibited. Like the Pete Rose situation, the reigning two-time American League Most Valuable Player, former Rookie of the Year, and three-time All-Star Shohei Ohtani has put MLB and himself in a precarious situation involving his Japanese interpreter potentially betting in professional sports.
It was reported earlier this week that Ohtani’s Japanese interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was recently fired amidst allegations of his gambling on sports. Initially, Mizuhara claimed that Ohtani was paying off his gambling debts. However, his story changed a day later when Ohtani mentioned he was unaware of the payments.
Now MLB, and the Dodgers have a full-blown scandal on their hands. Though its still unclear what involvement Ohtani had in Mizahara betting escapades. It is clear, according to ESPN’s reporting, that wire transfers were sent totaling over $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank account to a Southern California bookmaker. It just so happens that this bookmaker has been under federal investigation. Additionally, gambling on any sport is illegal and violates MLB rules.
While states can gain millions of dollars in tax revenues from sports betters, professional teams have to endure the expectations of those fans/better place on today’s athletes. Where sports betting and the money to be gained are too staggering for states and companies to ignore. Fans will also need to adjust their expectations of these athletes. Keeping in mind that these are only games they are betting on. What adjustment do you see, if any, professional teams or athletes making to accommodate those fans who invest so much financially in their games?
