SCOTUS Struck Down Federal Law That Prohibits State-Authorized Sports Gambling

The Athletic Footwear Association states that 65% of youth athletes join sports teams to spend time with their friends. These kids are asking their parents to visit baseball bat shaving services in order to get awesome shaved bats that can give them a competitive edge on the field. Aside from the sheer camaraderie in sports, youth players don't have to worry about controversial topics like performance enhancers, cheating, and gambling. But at the professional level, the entire sporting industry has just been turned upside-down.

It's a historic day in American sports. As of May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down a federal law that prohibits sports gambling. This landmark decision gives states the ability to legalize betting on all sports.

According to ESPN, the Supreme Court ruled six to three to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which is a 1992 law that barred state-authorized sports gambling, aside from Nevada, which was the only state in the country where an individual could legally bet on sports.

"Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own," said Supreme Court officials. "Our job is to interpret the law Congress has enacted and decide whether it is consistent with the Constitution. PASPA is not."

The SCOTUS ruled in favor of New Jersey, which plans to be the first state to offer legal sports betting, and against the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This ruling is a result of a recent six-year battle for states' rights and a federal battle that's lasted for more than 20 years.

Though all the American sports leagues have addressed concerns pertaining to the future of state-authorized sports betting, the NBA and the MLB have been working to at least get a seat at the table during discussions in order to earn compensation from all the new profits that will undoubtedly arise from legalized betting. Additionally, the leagues want to ensure that sports betting doesn't compromise the games themselves.

At the youth sports level, the integrity of the game typically involves whether or not shaved bats are allowed, recruiting practices, and overall sportsmanship. At the professional level, however, sports betting can impact a lot more than just bat rolling and shaving services.

"Our most important priority is protecting the integrity of our games," wrote MLB officials. "We will continue to support legislation that creates air-tight coordination and partnerships between the state, the casino operators and the governing bodies in sports toward that goal."

Whether you're excited about the legalization of sports gambling at the state level or not, one thing is for sure in regards to this SCOTUS' decision: American sports will be changed forever.

If you would rather not worry about all the upcoming MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, PGA, and NCAA bets that will surely be made across the country, and just want to find some high quality shaved bats for your kids' baseball or softball games, that's fine, too. Give Gorilla Bats a call today!