Week in Sports - Tuesday May 15, 2018
NBA Conference Finals Predictions
This week I am joined by Calvin Thomas and Justin Harris as we give our predictions on the 2018 NBA Conference Finals games, and discuss the current NBA climate.
First up, we discuss game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals,
where the Celtics blew the Cavs out handedly.
where the Celtics blew the Cavs out handedly.
Next we discuss the Western Conference Finals.
We had to keep it going, and discuss the importance of this series to Lebron James.
We conclude discussing the firing of Dwayne Casey.
Supreme Court Lifts Gambling Ban
The sun shined a little brighter to me on Monday, as news broke that the Supreme Court ruled that it is now all good for states to legalize betting on sports!! The law banning such a thing outside of the state of Nevada, has been in place since 1992, and has forced gamblers like myself to seek "alternative means" to place bets, short of flying to Vegas. I for one am ecstatic and can't wait for the ripple effects of this decision to take hold.
Basically, this ruling makes it possible for individual states themselves to vote on whether they want to legalize sports betting, it doesn't mean it's legal right now. But many indicators are pointing to the fact that states like New Jersey, who was a strong supporter of the ban getting dropped, along with Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and West Virginia, Delaware, Kentucky, and the great state of Maryland all signed the lawsuit to fight the ban. So that strongly indicates that these states are ready to get this moving along.
Basically, this ruling makes it possible for individual states themselves to vote on whether they want to legalize sports betting, it doesn't mean it's legal right now. But many indicators are pointing to the fact that states like New Jersey, who was a strong supporter of the ban getting dropped, along with Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and West Virginia, Delaware, Kentucky, and the great state of Maryland all signed the lawsuit to fight the ban. So that strongly indicates that these states are ready to get this moving along.
Right now, you can place a bet online through different back alley channels, but as far as physically placing a bet around here, I have to drive up to Delaware and purchase a Parlay card. With the ban lifted and full sports betting legalized, gamblers will be able to walk up to the ticket window and place straight up bets against the spread, prop bets, and any other bet you can now only do in a vegas casino. This is huge. Think about the boost it could instantly give to Atlantic City, Delaware Park, Horseshoe, and the MGM National Harbor casinos.
The impact of the decision is expected to be huge. The American Gaming Association estimates that Americans illegally bet $150 billion on sports each year. Nevada has been the only state allowed to offer sports betting options, and in 2017 alone, $4.8 billion in bets were waged in the state. I do wonder how much of an economic hit that state will take by losing its monopoly on the legal gambling, but its a tourists attraction, they will be fine.
The impact of the decision is expected to be huge. The American Gaming Association estimates that Americans illegally bet $150 billion on sports each year. Nevada has been the only state allowed to offer sports betting options, and in 2017 alone, $4.8 billion in bets were waged in the state. I do wonder how much of an economic hit that state will take by losing its monopoly on the legal gambling, but its a tourists attraction, they will be fine.
The truth is, wagering makes sports just more fun! If fantasy sports has taught us nothing, it has highlighted that when people have an investment in a product, performance, or outcome, they are more likely to pay attention. That has been the case with fantasy football, daily fantasy like FanDuel and Draftkings, as well as March Madness office pools. People get excited and follow things more when they stand to gain from the outcome. Legal sports betting should lead to more people risking money on games, which should drive up TV ratings and interest overall for these leagues.
I just think this is great news. I know some will say it will cause integrity issues for the athletes and the people directly involved in deciding outcomes of games, but let's be real, that has always been the case. As I said earlier, under the table sports gambling takes in $150 billion every year. At least nobody has to get tehri legs broken for not paying debt this way. All I can say is, gamble responsibly, and if you can't handle that, don't gamble.
I just think this is great news. I know some will say it will cause integrity issues for the athletes and the people directly involved in deciding outcomes of games, but let's be real, that has always been the case. As I said earlier, under the table sports gambling takes in $150 billion every year. At least nobody has to get tehri legs broken for not paying debt this way. All I can say is, gamble responsibly, and if you can't handle that, don't gamble.