How did sports betting become legal in the US?
14 hours ago
- #supreme-court
- #sports-betting
- #legal-history
- In 2018, the Supreme Court repealed PASPA, a 26-year federal ban on sports betting, leading to a massive gambling boom in the US.
- Sports betting has grown from $5 billion to $150 billion annually since 2018, with widespread participation across demographics.
- Key figures in legalizing sports betting include Bill Bradley (PASPA sponsor), Chris Christie (New Jersey governor), Jeremy Kudon (lobbyist), and Ted Olson (lawyer).
- Fantasy sports, starting in 1979, evolved into a commercial activity with companies like FanDuel and DraftKings, leading to regulatory scrutiny.
- PASPA (1992) banned sports betting but was challenged by New Jersey, leading to a Supreme Court case that ruled it unconstitutional.
- Ted Olson's argument against PASPA focused on the anti-commandeering doctrine, which prevents Congress from forcing states to enforce federal laws.
- Chris Christie's strategy of repealing New Jersey's sports betting regulations without legalizing it directly helped overturn PASPA.
- The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in 2018 allowed states to legalize sports betting, with 38 states now permitting it.