The Economic and Social Effects of Legalized Sports Gambling
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Date
2020-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
This research aims to provide a two-pronged look at the implementation of legalized sports gambling across the United States. After a law restricting sports betting was struck down in 2018, all states became free to decide whether they wanted to allow people within their borders to bet on sports. This work focuses on the economic and social effects of legalized sports gambling. Given the recency of the decision, little research on legalized sports betting has been done in the U.S. outside of the state of Nevada. Economic effects are analyzed using handle (amount wagered) figures reported by states through various lenses, including methods of sports betting permitted, population, location of the state, and other factors that could affect economic success. The examination of social effects aims to shed light on how sports gambling is being viewed by college students, namely whether it is supported, viewed as "immoral," stigmatized, if there should be restriction, what kinds of betting should be permitted, and whether sports betting is an overall benefit or harm to society. Social data was gathered through the distribution of a survey to college students throughout the U.S. Although legalized sports gambling provides consistent positive economic returns, the most important determinant of economic success seems to result from the allowance of mobile sports betting. Socially, respondents noted that they consider betting on sports "normal" but that it should not necessarily be a part of the sporting experience. Whether college students consider legalized sports gambling an overall benefit or harm to society is unclear. Finally, their views of sports betting as a "stigma" haven't changed as states legalize the practice.
Description
First Place, Business and Society, 2020 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
First Place, Sports Impact Research, 2020 OSU Sports and Society Initiative Undergraduate Research Fair
First Place, Sports Impact Research, 2020 OSU Sports and Society Initiative Undergraduate Research Fair
Keywords
Sports Gambling, Sports Betting, Economics, Sociology