As sports betting becomes legal in Ohio, could it ever infiltrate HS sports more? Not legally, but ... | Opinion

Jan. 3—The sports books have had a unique way to wish us all a Happy New Year.

With sports betting becoming legal in Ohio as of Jan. 1, the books — such as FanDuel, DraftKings and many more — won't let us forget, even if we wished for that outcome.

On TV. On social media. Through other advertising avenues.

We're being reminded continually, as of Jan. 1, we can fork over money for every imaginable sports bet.

Kevin Hart is hilarious, but his DraftKings ads tailored for the Buckeye State and the launch of legalized betting are almost getting into Lily from AT&T volume territory.

This milestone of sorts does raise an interesting question, one which, yes, does have something to do with high school sports.

Could there ever be a day during which high school sports are more a part of the bettors' landscape?

The reason it's framed as "more" and not as a faint, delusional thought is because of an uncomfortable truth.

Legal or not — and it's not — we know it happens.

In 2018, after the Supreme Court's decision that opened the door for more legalized sports gambling in the country on a state-to-state basis, the National Federation of State High School Associations addressed the subject.

The NFHS article even cited comments from the founder of an off-shore firm that offered wagering on Texas high school football.

"The customers who bet the games don't have a problem with morality," the founder was quoted as saying. "Walk to any street corner in the United Kingdom. You can bet on under-16-year-old soccer events, boys or girls. Any match, any amount. What is the difference betting on 15-or-16-year-old girls playing soccer or 17-and-18-year old boys playing American football?"

The NFHS encouraged states to enact legislation, should it permit legalized sports betting, to exclude high school sports. Nevada did so, as did New Jersey, and with Nevada being the heart of betting in the United States, other states are likely to follow that model of legal language to avert the issue.

As far as Ohio, the sports gambling bill, HB 29, all 288 pages of it signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine, does seem to address it. Section 3775.01, Part K (1) defines a sporting event on which wagering can take place as "any professional sport or athletic event, any collegiate sport or athletic event, any Olympic or international sports competition event, any motor race event, any horse race, or any other special event the Ohio casino control commission authorizes for sports gaming, the individual performance statistics of athletes or participants in such an event, or a combination of those."

That's a lot to digest, but clearly it is outlined in a way that high school sports does not fall under those parameters.

The head of a prominent Las Vegas sportsbook caused some minor outrage in 2018 after the Supreme Court ruling when he didn't shut down the possibility, telling USA Today High School Sports, "We don't take bets on any amateur events outside of college events, and that would include high school sports. I don't see the need."

With all of that said, we've all seen and heard it.

Someone aiming for social media clout by putting out lines and over/unders on high school football games in Ohio.

The whispers of money exchanging hands for a particularly prominent game.

And let's be clear. We're not talking about a couple neighbors whose alma maters are archrival schools having a friendly bet for a meal or two cities' mayors making a material wager of local goods over the outcome of a given game.

Also, if the lines are put out in humor — it doesn't really have a punchline, but sure, whatever.

We're talking about actual betting on whether a game reaches a point threshold or not or how much the margin is for a victor.

Occasionally, when I delve into these types of subjects, the interpretation falls on generational lines, as if something becomes less acceptable as one gets older but may be more acceptable to those who are younger. As if it's impossible for something to be roundly criticized.

Perhaps this is one subject, though, on which we can largely reach consensus: Placing Vegas-style bets on high school sports is weird behavior.

Let's not pretend high school sports is this 100% pure beacon of integrity, either — despite the best intentions, it's not.

But the aforementioned off-shore booker was right about one thing: The people who do go searching for action have no issue with morality.

Therein lies the problem.

Even if it's not legal, there will continue to be that underbelly of activity. If you search hard enough, you might be able to find action. When there is action, and enough of it, it's not insane to suggest a bettor could attempt to influence sporting event outcomes at the high school level.

So as we get into legalized sports betting in Ohio, let's not forget there is a line — and no, not the one Kevin Hart is encouraging us to get into to wager on DraftKings.

Not everything needs to have money riding on it. It has nothing to do with how cool or dull or young or old you are.

High school sports deserves to have a fair shot at being that beacon of integrity — even while knowing it's an impossible goal to achieve.

As crazy as it may sound.

As silly and absurd as it may sound.

Part of how we aspire for that is shunning the idea serious betting on high school sports should be part of its dynamic.

Granted, it's not legal.

Granted, the vast majority of people would contend it's an asinine practice if it does transpire.

But that doesn't prevent it from happening anyway — and even if it has miniscule-to-zero impact, the timing of this new normal with legal sports betting in Ohio shouldn't be a window for it to become any more prevalent in the high school ranks than it already is.