History of sports wagering

The history of sports betting in the US dates back to the times when the founders took risks. In the past bettors bet on cockfights, makeshift horse races and bare fist fights. Colonists and Pioneers that landed in the united states from Europe and England specifically had betting within their veins because their ancestors gambled for generations. As a result “sports betting” was obviously a natural part and parcel of the early American culture.

Today it is obvious that sports betting activities are definitely the rage all over the world. With all the simplicity of online sports betting, it’s made the sport much more convenient and cheaper. Though previously the sports betting section was small, today it has permeated almost every element of society. sport betting 100 bonus

Horse racing was popular in the 19th and early 20th Centuries and was enjoyed mainly by the upper class. But horse tracks started to appear after the Civil War and very quickly gamblers from all sectors of society flocked to those racing establishments. Bookies had a hold over the gambling population and they were setting odds on horses that enhanced the betting handle. Bookies would lower the odds on other horses to enhance their attractiveness when there was big money for a particular horse. By 1920s horse racing had reached the peak with more than 300 racetracks throughout the US. sport betting

Professional baseball gained popularity in the late 1800s and “pool cards” came into use. The “Black Sox Scanal” which had been “fixed” rocked the united states and the public received a negative view of sports bettors. Though gambling was against the law most people regarded sports gambling as a harmless victimless crime. College football and basketball also gained popularity with bettors as baseball and boxing. Pool cards were extremely popular even though the odds of these cards were in the bookies favor.

In the majority of US cities, sports gambling activities were becoming a section of life and most youngsters were coming in contact with the sports betting industry at a very young age. Some experts have said, “Sports gambling was getting more popular than hot dogs!” Soon Leo Hirschfield started Athletic Publications that became the sports betting world standard for almost 30 years.

Established in 1930 the corporation set lines in sports events and distributed them to bookmakers in the nation via the telegraph or telephone He also printed sports information that helped bookies produce better lines and gamblers make better decisions. The publication that was most widely used was The Green Sheet. He was legitimate despite the fact that his customers were illegal bookies.

Sports gambling was finally legalized in Nevada in the year 1931 and also the states financial situation which had been in dire straits during those times, transformed drastically. Legalized boxing and sports gambling activities caused it to be a hot spot for tourists and this also changed its economic condition for the better.

A resolution was passed in 1951 by way of the Congress that imposed a 10% tax on every sports bet. New regulations allowed the bookies to come out of the dark and work openly. Turf clubs were the first legal sports books in Nevada and they were sometimes called “sawdust” rooms. In 1980s Roxborough became a major part of sports gambling and brought in the technology that revolutionized sports gambling.