From MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani to now former NBA player Jontay Porter, recent stories surrounding sports integrity have predictably led to scrutiny of America’s still-new legal sports betting market.
These headlines wrongly depict the workings of the legal and regulated market and fail to recognize the persistent issues and predatory nature of the illegal market. It’s time to refocus on the facts and recognize that legal sports betting remains a solution, not a problem, when it comes to preserving the integrity of the games.
Remember, sports betting isn’t a new phenomenon. Prior to 2018, there were plenty of opportunities to bet — whether with shady bookies or navigating the murky waters of offshore websites.
