150 billion dollars spent annually on illegal sports betting

[Forward This]( [blank][Tweet This]( [blank][Send to Linkedin]( [blank][Send to Facebook]( [blank] [NOTD image header] An estimated $150 billion is spent each year by Americans on illegal sports betting.[1]( Such wagers were illegal because of a 1992 law, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. That law made it illegal for states to authorize gambling on sports. However, the [U.S. Supreme Court]( recently declared that law unconstitutional in [Murphy v. NCAA](. This ruling might have a significant impact on sports leagues and fan interest. However, there are larger issues at stake. The Court ruling was based on the fact that the federal government does not have the authority to prevent state legislatures from legalizing sports gambling. It could set a precedent for returning more power to the states and placing further limits on the federal government. [Click here to view the Number of the Day online→]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Each weekday, [Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day]( explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology. Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author. To see other recent numbers, check out the [archive](. Was this email forwarded to you? [Click here to subscribe to Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day.]( Scott Rasmussen is an editor-at-large for Ballotpedia, the Encyclopedia of American Politics. He is a senior fellow for the study of self-governance at the King’s College in New York. His most recent book, [Politics Has Failed: America Will Not](, was published by the Sutherland Institute in May. Decide which emails you want from Ballotpedia. [Unsubscribe]( or [update your subscription preferences](. Ballotpedia The Encyclopedia of American Politics [8383 Greenway Blvd., Suite 600]( [Middleton, WI 53562]( [Facebook]( [Twitter](