The History and Evolution of Sports Betting
Sports betting has been around for centuries, with evidence of ancient Greeks placing bets on athletic competitions as far back as 776 BC. Over time, sports betting has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry, with new technologies and regulations constantly shaping its development. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history and evolution of sports betting. Early Days of Sports Betting Sports betting has been a part of human culture for centuries, with evidence of betting on chariot races in ancient Rome and gladiator battles in ancient Greece. In the United States, horse racing was one of the first sports to be widely bet on, with the first organized horse race taking place in 1665 in Long Island, New York. The Rise of Modern Sports Betting In the 20th century, sports betting became more mainstream, with bookmakers opening up in cities across the world. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that sports betting became a legal activity in the United Kingdom, paving t