Opinion:Mike Hardman|Sports Gambling Sure Bet

When the New England Patriots host the Green Bay Packers in the 2018 regular season, you might be able to place a legal bet on the game right down the road at the Plainridge Park casino.

This spring, the United States Supreme Court will decide whether to allow sports betting outside of Nevada, striking down a 1992 law. Logic would say this is a no-brainer to pass. We are living in an increasing gambling culture. Isn’t Fantasy Football really a form of NFL gambling already? How many people care about a Tampa Bay-Tennessee game unless they have a bet on it?

How hard it is to bet on a sporting event now with online gambling. never mind how many bets are made illegally outside of Nevada.

When we gave the OK to state-run lotteries, we made gambling acceptable in our society. Now, we are opening casinos, we are further making betting culturally acceptable. How many times did you raise an eyebrow at your neighbor telling you about how they did at the poker tables?

The answer is probably zero.

Did you go “oh, no, they shouldn’t be talking about that when you hear the Patriots are favored by six over the New York Jets?

We beat on sports a lot. For some people, having a few bucks on the game make it a more enjoyable interactive experience, while others will find themselves stressed out.

States, not named Nevada, are going to rush into the sports betting business. This is another potential revenue source for them to cash in on.

Casinos, not in Nevada, are for it. Imagine what Sundays will be like in their establishments during the NFL season?

Professional leagues are going to say they are worried about the integrity of their games. Meanwhile, they run their own Fantasy Sports leagues and have advertisements for casinos in their arenas.

The Supreme Court will approve sports betting.

Want to bet on the odds of that not happening?

(Mike Hardman is the digital managing editor. His opinions are solely his own.)