Those of us involved in sports betting frequently probably understand official statement that in truth, there was never really any "start" point when people began betting on sports. It appears pretty natural to place some sort of wager whenever there is a contest between two different sides, whether it is a competition between individuals or between two different teams.

Actually, you'll find records to show that as long as there are already matches between people, on any side, there are people that want to add some excitement to the competition through wagering. From the gladiatorial contests in ancient Rome to foot races on North America's Great Plains, all cultures have put bets involving money or goods once they are watching a competition.

Today, keep in mind, sports betting is a lot more sophisticated than those ancient wagers.