Is gambling the reason we have pro sports?

Sports betting is not a recent phenomenon but a foundational element that enabled the rise of professional sports in the United States. David Bockino, an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Elon University and author of *Over Under: An Unexpected History of Sports Betting*, explains that early professional leagues relied on gambling to generate fan interest and engagement. While leagues historically feared that betting would compromise the integrity of games, the practice proved essential for building spectator bases through statistics and publicity. Today, the widespread accessibility of mobile betting platforms has integrated wagering into the fabric of modern fandom, despite ongoing concerns regarding addiction and the potential for game-fixing. Although modern betting has shifted the focus from communal team support to individual financial outcomes, it remains a deeply rooted, albeit contentious, component of the American sports experience.