Why Legal Sports Betting Is Good for America: Insights from Bill Miller’s Newsweek Article

Bringing People Together

One of the standout insights from Miller is how sports betting enhances social connections. Research by the AGA shows that 9 out of 10 Americans feel that legal gambling adds to the fun and strengthens bonds with friends and family.

“Far from being a compulsory burden or tax as some critics lazily posit, sports betting is a voluntary entertainment option,” Miller writes, noting its growing popularity among Americans.

A Safe and Regulated Industry

Unlike the old days of shady, unregulated sportsbooks, today’s legal sports betting is one of the most tightly regulated industries in the U.S.

Licensed operators follow the rules and go above and beyond by investing heavily in responsible gambling initiatives. Tools like deposit limits, time reminders, and self-exclusion options help ensure that players can enjoy betting responsibly.

“In contrast,” Miller notes, “illegal operators—who thrived unregulated for decades thanks to the previous federal ban—intentionally offered no such safeguards.”

Betting Isn’t Breaking the Bank

Sports betting as a cause of financial ruin? Miller says the data tells a different story. Decades of research show no significant link between gambling and widespread financial hardship.

In fact, most Americans face bigger financial struggles with necessary costs like housing and healthcare than with occasional spending on entertainment.

Miller also points out just how modest sports betting budgets tend to be. On average, a sports bettor spends less than $100 a month.

“For perspective, Americans spend $141 per month on cell phone bills, $300 on dining out, and $734 on car payments,” Miller points out.

Tax Dollars at Work

Miller notes that billions in state tax revenue have been generated to fund critical initiatives, including public education in Maryland, pandemic recovery efforts in Detroit, and water conservation projects in Colorado.

With billions of dollars already generated for state budgets, the industry is making a meaningful difference in local communities.

The industry also collaborates with over 5,000 state and tribal regulators to uphold integrity and prevent illegal offshore operators from exploiting the market.

A Success Story

At its core, Miller argues, legal sports betting reflects trust in the ability of American adults to make informed decisions about how they engage with entertainment. “Demonizing this industry or its consumers based on worst-case scenarios only undermines the progress made in creating a safe and regulated marketplace,” he asserts.

Miller concludes by urging stakeholders to focus on collaboration, transparency, and advancing consumer protections. “Legalized sports betting is not a societal ill or a threat to the fabric of America,” he writes. “It’s a success story—one that demonstrates how regulation, innovation, and responsibility can come together to benefit consumers and communities alike.”

To read Bill Miller’s full article in Newsweek, click here.