Introduction
Gambling ExpansionThroughout the history of gambling, there has been a constant trend toward general acceptance and expansion. From the early 1960’s where gambling table rooms were run in the basement of apartment buildings till today when legalized gambling is popular, there has always been negative connotations surrounding gambling as an activity. Today, gambling exists in 48 different states and casinos are widespread. The state of Maryland has five casinos by itself. These lax gambling laws that have been debated for the past 100 years have brought on a new form of gambling.
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Sports Betting PopularityWhile there have been many forms of gambling such as casinos and horse racing that have gained popularity, sports betting is a game filled with action and research of the sporting events which brings additional risks. Sports betting has been popular for a while now. As sports betting exists currently, it is not regulated and a federal bill called, Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act or PAPSA, is what is restricting new states from legalizing sports betting. However, the internet has caused this gambling form to explode into a gambling craze which has many people in the United States using a variety of illegal gambling sties or bookies (illegal groups that accept sports bets) to place bets. This form of gambling can often be related to serious problems such as problem gambling. This problem along with the ability for an increase in game fixing are the major reasons why sports betting is illegal today. However, there is a problem that exists. The amount of sports betting sites that are online is close to unlimited and its difficult to track if a problem gambler is using these sites.
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