History of sports wagering
The history of sports betting in the usa dates back on the times when the founders took risks. In the past gamblers bet on cockfights, makeshift horse races and bare fist fights. Colonists and Pioneers that landed in the US from Europe and England in particular had betting within their veins because their ancestors gambled for generations. As a result “sports betting” was a normal part and parcel of the early American culture.
Today there’s no question that sports betting activities are the rage all over the world. With the ease of on-line sports betting, it has made the sport much more convenient and cheaper. Though previously the sports betting segment was small, today it’s permeated virtually every element of society. betting exchange surebet
Horse racing was popular from the 19th and early 20th Centuries and was appreciated mostly by the upper class. But horse tracks started to appear following the Civil War and soon gamblers coming from all sectors of society flocked to these 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 a lot of money on a particular horse. By 1920s horse racing had reached the summit with over 300 racetracks throughout the US. football odds
Professional baseball became popular from the late 1800s and “pool cards” came into use. The “Black Sox Scanal” which had been “fixed” rocked the US and the public received a negative view of sports bettors. Though gambling was illegal most people regarded sports gambling to be a harmless victimless crime. College football and basketball also became popular 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 part of life and many youngsters were being exposed to the sports betting industry in a very young age. Some professionals 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 three decades.
Established in 1930 this company set lines in sports events and distributed them to bookmakers in the nation via the telegraph or telephone He also printed sports information which helped bookies produce better lines and gamblers make smarter decisions. The publication that was most widely used was The Green Sheet. He was legitimate even though his clients were illegal bookies.
Sports gambling was ultimately legalized in Nevada in 1931 and the states financial situation which was in dire straits during those times, changed significantly. 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 charged a 10% tax on every sports bet. New regulations permitted 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 significant part of sports gambling and brought in the technology that revolutionized sports gambling.