With the Super Bowl less than one week away millions of Americans will be betting on nearly every aspect of the big game. However, gambling is likely more complicated than you think.
KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban in 2018, sports gambling has exploded in popularity. According to the American Gaming Association, a record 46.6 million people placed bets during the 2022-2023 NFL season.
That’s nearly 18 percent of all American adults. If you’re planning on getting in on the action, first learn how you can maximize your fun and play responsibly.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips. First, make sure gambling is legal in your state. Also, get familiar betting terminology such as point-spread, prop, and futures bets and how each works.
In addition, to have a thorough understanding of sports stats and odds. Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau Pam Hernandez also warns about the risk of betting scams.
“It is risky because scammers know that it is risky too. So I always say that if it's too good to be true, it probably is. And so scammers are out there, with pop-up ads, email scams, text messages, taking you to websites offering something that says risk-free bets.”
The BBB recommends only placing bets with reputable bookmakers. Whether you’re placing a bet in-person or online, only use “white-listed” sports books that your local gaming commission approves.
And most importantly to set limits for yourself. A basic wager in which you bet on who will win a game is called a money line bet, but there are many other terms you’ll need to get to know as well.
Copyright 2024 Four States Public Radio. To see more, visit Four States Public Radio.
