Legalizing sports betting would be a huge financial windfall for the sports industry. However, it would also have a major impact on the economy as a whole.
What types of jobs could sports betting create? Let’s take a look.
Wage Earners
One of the first things that would change if sports betting was legalized is the way that people earn their living. Currently, many people in the sports industry rely on bonuses, sponsorship deals, and media exposure to earn a decent living. However, with more people participating in wagering, these opportunities would likely disappear. Big wins and bonuses would become commonplace, and crooked games would dwindle in popularity.
To survive in this new world, people would need to find new ways to make money. One of the most popular jobs opportunities would be in customer service, where live betting and phone support are commonplace.
Tour Guides
Being the most popular sport in the world is one of the few positives that the sports industry can take pride in. Thanks to the ever-growing popularity of football, more people are interested in the sport than ever before. If sports betting was legalized, the opportunity to make money from tourism would likely ensue. Especially since many sports betting sites offer excellent odds on football and other sports, people would flock to see the biggest sporting events as a vacation destination.
Tour guides would become very popular as people want to know everything about the event they are visiting. Being the most popular sport in the world would make for great stories and an opportunity to perhaps make some extra money on the side.
Journalists
When it comes to sports journalism, the industry is constantly in need of talent. Many prominent publications have moved towards online-only journalism, and the trend appears to be continuing. If sports betting was legalized, many existing jobs would likely become extinct, while some new ones would emerge.
Traditional sports journalism would be completely transformed. Reporters would no longer be tied to specific teams and leagues, as they currently are. They would instead be able to cover stories about whatever sport they want, wherever the games take place. This change would mean that stories about sports would follow a similar trend to that of general news.
Judges
The judiciary would also be one of the most affected professions if sports betting were legalized. Many judges make a living off betting on sporting events, and they would undoubtedly become professional gamblers if the opportunity were to become available. In the current climate, judges need to be wary of any type of personal bias when it comes to their decision-making. If legalized sports betting were to emerge as an opportunity, it would be interesting to see how courts would approach the issue of bias, or at least how they would try to maintain impartiality. This is especially relevant now that so many people are interested in the activities of professional sports franchises.
Analysts
Pundits, fans, and experts alike would likely have a field day with the data that is now stored digitally. If sports betting was legalized, many jobs would likely be created by people who analyze and study sporting events for a living. This trend appears to already be underway as more and more people get involved in wagering. There would likely be an entire industry devoted to studying trends and patterns in sports betting data, helping individuals make more accurate wagers and better decisions.
Operators
Operators are also likely to be among the first jobs to be automated or eliminated entirely. If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already familiar with the concept of online gambling, where games are processed and handled by software. The same concept would apply to sports wagering, as betting operations are already automated to a large extent. The main difference would be that with sports betting, people would use their mobile devices or laptops to access content and place bets rather than going to a land-based location to do the same. In some cases, people could even place bets from their smartphones.
All of these job losses and career shifts are certainly a cause for concern, although most would likely emerge as positive developments. First of all, sports betting helps to keep professional sports lucrative. Without the industry, some of the most popular and iconic sporting events might not take place. Secondly, with more people participating in the pastime, hopefully social relationships would improve and people would become less interested in turning to crime to make money. Finally, the legalization of sports betting would expose people to a new way of thinking and lead to an increase in mental stimulation.