The Washington Post Editorial Board has strongly criticized the legalization of sports betting in the United States, declaring it a "terrible bet" that has failed to deliver on its promises.

Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision to overturn PASPA, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting. However, the Post argues that the industry's promised benefits have fallen short of expectations.

Key criticisms from the Editorial Board include:

• Sportsbooks targeting and incentivizing losing players while limiting successful bettors
• Disappointing state tax revenues
• Modest impact on eliminating illegal betting
• Increased sports scandals and athlete abuse
• Inadequate consumer protections

The Post advocates for Congressional intervention, noting recent legislative efforts like the SAFE Bet Act. This proposed legislation would:

• Ban sports betting ads between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Prohibit advertising during live sports
• Require affordability checks for high-volume bettors
• Ban credit card use for online sportsbook accounts

The Editorial Board's stance represents a significant voice against the rapid expansion of sports betting, calling for stronger federal oversight and regulation of the industry to protect consumers and maintain sports integrity.

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