Sports Wagering in America

Whether by court decision or legislative change, gambling's next expansion in the United States will be sports wagering. However, state and federal policymakers and regulators have limited experience in addressing the many issues that are presented by regulated sports wagering. The challenges they will face are complicated by the fact that sports betting is a global industry encompassing both legal and illegal markets. This book first provides a detailed explanation of the scope and economics of the sports wagering industry and a description of how sportsbooks operate. It then describes the evolving legal landscape for sports wagering in the U.S., culminating in the Supreme Court case that considered New Jersey's challenge to the federal law that has limited sports betting to the state of Nevada. With this foundation, the book turns to an examination of the range of issues that legislators and regulators must consider in establishing regulated sports wagering, such as the need to protect the integrity of sporting events from corruption by criminal elements. Other important topics discussed include the level of regulation needed for sportsbook operators, the proper role of the federal and state governments, taxation, international cooperation, preventing illegal wagering, the role of data collection and analysis, and how to maximize innovation and patron engagement. Legalization is only the beginning of the journey of offering sports betting in the U.S. The authors offer guidance to policymakers as they take up the daunting task of building a regulatory structure for sports wagering. As the book illustrates, the decisions made on how to regulate sports betting will go a long way toward determining the success of this popular form of gambling.