A new institute was established by San Diego State University with an emphasis on the rapidly expanding sports betting sector.

The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the college will house the Institute on Sports Wagering and Gaming (ISWAG), which will concentrate on topics like policy research, industry involvement, education, and bettor behavior.

"ISWAG will also serve as a collaborative space for faculty and departments across SDSU to explore the cultural and health implications of sports wagering,” according to a press release. “With the sports betting industry expanding across the U.S. and globally, the ISWAG is uniquely positioned to offer research informed guidance at a time of unprecedented growth and public attention.”

With five locations in addition to its main campus, San Diego State is one of the biggest universities in the California State University system.

Joining the small field is San Diego State Sports Betting Institute

Seven years have passed since the now-famous Supreme Court decision on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, and although many universities have released studies on sports betting, very few provide specific courses or degrees.

In other words, as more academics concentrate on the behavioral effects of sports betting and the associated policy implications, San Diego State's ISWAG is entering a sector that is currently underrepresented but has substantial development potential.

The Universities of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and Reno, in addition to San Diego State, have specialized gaming institutions with some knowledge of sports betting.  A related statistics course is available at the University of Michigan.  In addition to offering graduate-level gaming courses for prospective attorneys, Seton Hall in New Jersey has been actively researching and evaluating sports betting.

The areas of study covered by San Diego State's ISWAG will include player protection, marketing, policy efforts, and sports betting behavior.  Additionally, the center would provide "executive education offerings, student research opportunities, and certificate programs to build capacity across the sector."

The head of ISWAG, Dr. Brandon Mastromartino, has written several articles on sports betting, some of which were published this year.

In California, sports betting is still illegal

The fact that San Diego State's ISWAG is operated by a university in a state where sports betting is illegal is an intriguing aspect of the program.  Indeed, shortly after California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) ruled that daily fantasy sports (DFS) were unlawful in the state, the institution announced the establishment of the institute.

It's unclear how long Bonta's position will last because Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) disagrees.  To be clear, even in states where sports betting is illegal, intellectual study of the sport are acceptable and allowed.

It is up to the people and the state's tribal casino operators to decide when California will join that party.  To put the matter before the latter, the former must introduce a ballot initiative, and 2026 is the earliest that may occur.  It's generally accepted that California tribes aren't eager to legalize sports betting and may be happy to wait until the 2028 election cycle.