A new study published in the Journal of Sports Economics finds that the legalization of sports betting in the United States is associated with significant increases in violent and impulsive crime during and immediately after major professional sporting events. Analyzing incident-level crime data from 2017 to 2021, researchers examined crime patterns from the start of a game through four hours after its conclusion across the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
The study finds that states that legalized sports betting following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Murphy v. NCAA experienced increases in assaults, larceny and vehicle theft on game days, with crime rising by roughly 30–70% depending on game context. The largest spikes occurred after home games and when outcomes defied betting expectations, such as when underdogs won.
Importantly, the researchers also identify spillover effects: increases in crime were observed in neighboring states even when those states had not legalized sports betting, suggesting bettors may cross state lines to place wagers and bring associated stress back home.
The findings further suggest a shift in the mechanisms driving betting-related aggression following the COVID-19 pandemic. While earlier increases in crime were primarily linked to financial losses, more recent evidence points to non-financial factors, including heightened emotional stress during close, unpredictable or overtime games.
The study highlights potential social costs associated with the rapid expansion of legal sports betting and underscores the importance of considering public safety and consumer protections alongside revenue generation as more states weigh legalization.
