Gambling has exploded in the United States. American casinos and sportsbooks earned US$79 billion in 2025, up nearly 20% from the $66.5 billion just two years earlier. That doesn’t include the enormous sums earned by prediction market companies, which are technically not considered gambling but instead help forecast future events.
Regrettably, but not unexpectedly, the widespread ability to gamble is also causing major scandals.
For example, the chief of police in New Haven, Connecticut, allegedly embezzled government funds to bet almost $4.5 million on sports.
And major basketball stars are accused of betting on their own games. Even politicians are betting on election outcomes.
