CNN -
In August 2019, Saul Malek realized he 'd strike rock bottom.
His girlfriend had actually broken up with him, relationships had actually gone south, and he had cash problems.
" I noticed all my memories were truly betting related," Malek describes to CNN Sport.
" If I went out with my sweetheart and some friends, I 'd inform her at the end of the night, 'This is a terrific night because this bet won, and I was up this quantity.'"
In a desperate effort to resurrect his relationship with his sweetheart, Malek says he told his Gamblers Anonymous coach that he wouldn't place a bet for six months. Almost five years later, Malek still hasn't wager.
' This is simple'
The billions of dollars that were wagered on this year's Super Bowl, the millions that will be wagered on Saturday's Kentucky Derby and stories like Malek's have brought into sharp focus the US' complex relationship with sports betting.
It was in his college sophomore year that Malek says he was introduced to an unlawful bookkeeper.
" It was absolutely murky in terms of the legality and legitimacy of all of it, however I didn't actually care," he stated.
" I took pleasure in betting with the bookmakers since I liked understanding that I was winning against a genuine individual, that you know I was much better than them."
The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs this weekend will see millions of dollars bet on the event.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Malek clearly remembers his very first $10 win.
" It was an overall warping of my mind," said Malek. "I know what I'm doing. This is easy, this is great."
However, $10 bets became $100 wagers, which rapidly changed into stakes including thousands of dollars.
" When I truly began losing and chasing after the losses, I had an awareness that it was unpleasant," confessed Malek.
" But I believe I remained in such a mode of trying to resolve whatever that I didn't see it as actually much of an issue."
It wasn't until his moms and dads discovered "questionable individuals messaging him," and his school grades ending up being a concern that Malek, who is now a public speaker on gambling awareness, knew he was in too deep.
A 'massive surge'
It was in 2018 that the US Supreme Court overruled a 1992 federal law, which had restricted most states from allowing sports wagering.
Fast forward to 2024 and the gambling market is engrained in US sports culture with leagues, franchises, gamers and networks now partnering with wagering companies.
Nevada was the only state able to supply sports betting in 2018, however it's now legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia, with active legislation surrounding sports wagering in a further 6 states.
In February, when the Super Bowl was staged, Americans wager $10.49 billion on sports, a 24.8% year-over-year increase, according to the American Gaming Association's (AGA) video gaming profits tracker.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, the AGA was anticipating a record 67.8 million American adults (26%) would wager an estimated $23.1 billion on the occasion, a 35% increase from 2023.
And, in general, almost $120 billion in legal bets were made last year.
The Monmouth Park Sports Book is seen on the first day of legal sports betting in the state, in Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey on June 14, 2018.
Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images
" In America, as long as there have been sports to bank on, individuals have actually been banking on sports," AGA senior vice president Joe Maloney informed CNN Sport in an interview.
" Democrats and Republicans, if there's one thing that they might settle on, illegal betting was already happening."
Maloney states the 2018 decision was an opportunity to bring betters into the legal marketplace - and for politicians to capture tax income.
In 2023, more than $11 billion in state taxes were brought into state coffers.
According to the US Census, New York state is without a doubt the leader in taxes collected.
" There was this rush by state federal government, rather honestly, to profit from gaming profits and the gambling industry mored than happy to play along," Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), told CNN Sport.
The legal market
It's estimated that 2.5 million grownups in the US "fulfill the requirements for a serious gaming issue in a given year," according to the NCPG.
Maloney keeps that one of the benefits of legalized sports gaming is the measures that are put in place to assist those who experience betting dependencies.
" The prohibited market has actually flourished for probably 4 to 5 years in this nation ... and there was never any problem betting resources at any major level to support those that are demonstrating bothersome behavior," Maloney says.
" We're actually pleased with the fact that ... there's more cash being devoted to issue gambling in this nation than there ever has actually been."
Fans line up at the betting cubicle prior to the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in 2023.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Whyte says he is less persuaded.
" We have actually seen no evidence of that whatsoever," states Whyte when asked about legalized sports betting helping suppress gambling dependency. "We think the danger has actually increased by about 30%."
" I'm in the District of Columbia right now. The mayor just recently cut every single penny of public funding to prevent and treat gambling problems.
So right where the AGA and the National Council for Problem Gambling lies - the country's capital - they eliminated all public funds for issue gambling," includes Whyte.
' The pace of development'
From LeBron James' NFL collaboration with DraftKings to ESPN releasing a main sportsbook, it is ending up being progressively difficult to view sport without gambling being part of the seeing experience.
A 2023 NCAA study surveyed young people aged 18-22. It states that amongst those who had seen sports betting advertisements, 52.8% said it made them more most likely to desire to gamble.
Among greater risk bettors as many as 80% state the ads they have seen make them more likely to gamble.
Whyte states that these advertisements aren't too much of a concern if you're not in the greater threat groups but the connection amongst those who are is worrying.
Maloney counters that marketing is crucial in taking gamblers from illegal to legal markets.
" Advertising is really important upon markets being opened legally and controlled to interact to betters that there is this opportunity to now wager in the legal market," said Maloney.
Former NFL tight end and sportscaster Greg Olsen reveals the very first bet placed during the DraftKings First Bet in North Carolina at NASCAR Hall of Fame in March.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
The increase of advertisements and promos is something that worries NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
" I live in the New york city market. It's consistent in regards to promotions for individuals to bank on sports," said Silver just recently.
" I fret likewise about youths. It's, naturally, unlawful for youths to bank on sports," included the commissioner.
Ramon Zelaya, the mediator of Reddit's issue gambling forum, concurs.
" The surge of sports wagering has actually caught the attention and engagement of more youthful gamblers. Folks starting in their teenagers," Zelaya informed the NCPG.
" I have actually had 16-year-olds publish on the subreddit.