On this episode of Our American Stories, sports betting has existed since the days of the Roman Colosseum, but for most Americans, legal sports gambling was largely confined to Las Vegas casinos.

That changed in 2018 when, at the urging of New Jersey, the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, clearing the way for legalized sports betting across the country. Suddenly, millions of Americans could place wagers from their phones in seconds. Danny Funt, author of Everybody Loses, shares the story behind the rise of sports gambling, the consequences of its easy accessibility, and why leagues like the Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association all embraced what was once considered a cardinal sin in professional sports.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)