Yesterday we explained how legal sports betting continues to gain popularity, but even with these trends, there are tons of illegal gambling websites out there. The problem with these sites is that you really have no idea which ones are legitimate, and you have little recourse when things go wrong.

This article by Richard N. Velotta in the Las Vegas Review-Journal shines a light on the problem. Velotta explains how the American Gaming Association has made it a priority to encourage the public to bet responsibly with licensed operators and avoid illegal offshore websites. Despite this, illegal gambling websites continue to operate and can be difficult to track down and shut down. He describes the case of a Canadian gambler who has been unable to collect his winnings on a $225,000 jackpot he won playing blackjack on BetOnLine.ag, an internet domain in Antigua. Read the story and you’ll see the details.

Why do betters still use illegal gambling websites?

There are plenty of reasons why these sites are still in business.

Firstly, you have to consider that betting hasn’t been legalized everywhere, so many betters are still shut out of the legal betting market depending on their state of residence or jurisdiction.

Secondly, illegal gambling websites often offer better odds and higher payouts than their legal counterparts. This can be attractive to bettors looking to maximize their winnings, even if it means breaking the law. This also applies to local bookies.

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I was watching a movie the other night, and some of the story revolved around bookies in New York City and some gamblers who got into trouble. It was interesting in the context of modern times. In most states, sports betting is legal now. We can easily do it on our apps. We have sports betting lounges attached to sports arenas and stadiums. So much has changed.

The Supreme Court changed everything

The popularity of sports betting keeps growing for many reasons. The latest boom started with the Murphy v. NCAA Supreme Court decision in May 2018. Prior to this ruling, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 had largely outlawed sports gambling throughout the country, with the exception of a few states like Nevada.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy found that PASPA violated the Tenth Amendment’s anti-commandeering principle, which prevents the federal government from forcing states to enforce federal laws. As a result, states were now able to legalize and regulate sports betting within their own borders.

Sports gambling keeps getting more popular

We’ve always loved betting on sports, particularly NFL football and college football. But now it’s even more popular. Several factors have contributed to the increased popularity of sports betting in the United States since the Murphy decision:

State legalization

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, many states have chosen to legalize sports betting, allowing for a more accessible and regulated environment. This has led to a surge in the number of people who can participate in sports gambling legally.

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