Nationwide, sports betting is now legal in 39 states — including Arkansas, where people wager an average of nearly $1.8 million on it every day. But a growing body of evidence shows sports betting is harmful. Internet sportsbooks and online gambling are especially destructive.
On the whole, most Americans do not believe sports betting has been good for society or good for sports.
Below are eight examples of common sense steps the State of Arkansas could take to rein in out-of-control sportsbooks. Many of these changes probably could be made through new rules from the Arkansas Racing Commission.
1. Arkansas Could Prohibit Sportsbooks from Offering Prop Bets and Micro-Bets.
The Arkansas Racing Commission could amend its rules to prohibit sportsbooks from offering wagers on individual player performance or in-game events. NCAA President Charlie Baker has actually urged state gambling commissions to eliminate player prop bets.
Arkansas could also prevent sportsbooks from accepting micro-bet wagers — such as bets placed on the next play, next pitch, or next possession during a game. Micro-bets are designed to be fast-paced and repetitive, both of which are linked to problem gambling and addiction.
Prohibiting sportsbooks from offering prop bets and micro-bets would be a major step forward.
2. Arkansas Could Prohibit Sportsbooks from Accepting Wagers on Same-Game Parlays.
Arkansas could prohibit sportsbooks from combining multiple wagers from the same sporting event — like passing yards, team win, and total points from a football game — into a single parlay ticket.
Same-game parlays rely on long odds that give the sportsbook a distinct advantage, and that can really hurt people who suffer from problem gambling. Stopping same-game parlays could be good for everyone.
3. Arkansas Could Prohibit Sportsbooks from Accepting Wagers After a Game Has Started.
One report found that one in eight people at NFL games opened betting apps while in the stadium — which seems to suggest people may be gambling impulsively or placing prop bets during games.
Along with prohibiting prop bets, micro-bets, and same-game parlays, Arkansas could require that all sports wagers be placed before the official start of the sporting event, and it could prohibit sportsbooks from accepting wagers after the event has begun.
4. Arkansas Could Require Sportsbooks to Limit Users’ Deposits and Losses.
The Racing Commission could require sportsbooks to set default daily, weekly, and monthly limits on deposits and losses for all accounts, and only allow increases after some sort of waiting period and financial verification. This would help prevent Arkansans from wagering and losing more money than they can afford.
5. Arkansas Could Stop Sportsbooks from Accepting Credit Cards.
Upwards of 20 million men are in debt or have been in debt as a result of sports betting. Research now shows that the legalization of sports betting may be linked to serious financial problems in America — such as credit card debt, overdrafts, late payments on loans, lower credit scores, and higher bankruptcy rates.
Prohibiting sportsbooks from accepting credit cards would protect gamblers from running up excessive gambling debts.
6. Arkansas Could Prevent Sportsbooks from Offering Bonus Bets and Other Aggressive Promotions.
Many sportsbooks offer bonus bets, risk-free bets, deposit matches, or similar promotions. These promotions may encourage people to place larger bets. They may promote intense gambling, and ultimately they may promote problem gambling.
Arkansas could also restrict sportsbook advertising. The State could prohibit sportsbooks from advertising during live sporting events or running TV ads during programming that appeals to children or teens.
7. Arkansas Could Require Sportsbooks to Provide Real-Time Loss Notifications.
Casinos and sportsbooks don’t mind telling people how much money they’ve won, but they might not feel inclined to tell people just how much they have lost.
Arkansas could require sportsbooks to automatically provide prominent notifications to users showing their total losses before letting them place additional bets. This would help make sure sportsbooks keep users informed about just how much money they have lost.
8. Arkansas Could Require Sportsbooks to Implement a “Cooling-Off” Period Before Accepting a First Wager.
Arkansas could require sportsbooks to implement a minimum 24-hour waiting period between when a user registers an account and when they can place their first wager. This could help discourage people from impulsively downloading a sportsbook app and placing bets.
There are Plenty of Other Things Arkansas Could Do to Rein in Predatory Gambling.
The State of Arkansas could increase reporting requirements from sportsbooks to help determine if their users may be suffering from gambling addiction.
Arkansas could ban sportsbooks from using algorithms to personalize users’ betting lines.
Even prohibiting sportsbooks from using smartphone push notifications to encourage gambling would be a small step in the right direction.
This list is just a start.
Sports betting promises entertainment and easy money, but it isn’t a harmless pastime. As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect its citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more people in our state.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
