In a move that will forever alter America’s sports landscape, the Supreme Court has overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing individual states to permit gambling on sporting events.
The handful of states that had previously made sports gambling legal — Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana — were exempted from the act when it went into effect in 1992.
“Today’s decision clears the way for all states to make their own decisions about legalizing sports betting, and in one fell swoop gets rid of Nevada’s monopoly on the subject and the 1992 federal statute that had protected it,” Steve Vladeck, Supreme Court analyst and professor of law at the University of Texas School of Law, told CNN.
While some sports fans can cheer about being allowed to bet on games without having to do so on the so-called black market, the U.S.’s largest professional and collegiate sports leagues are worried about the potential downsides of lifting the ban.
“Our most important priority is protecting the integrity of our games,” the MLB said in a statement. “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.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver pushed for a lift on the gambling ban in the past and now hopes states will be consistent with one another in how they proceed.
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court opens the door for states to pass laws legalizing sports betting,” said Silver in a statement. “We remain in favor of a federal framework that would provide a uniform approach to sports gambling in states that choose to permit it, but we will remain active in ongoing discussions with state legislatures. Regardless of the particulars of any future sports betting law, the integrity of our game remains our highest priority.”
The NFL hopes that Congress will enact laws to regulate sports gambling on a federal level.
“Congress has long recognized the potential harms posed by sports betting to the integrity of sporting contests and the public confidence in these events,” the NFL said in a statement. “Given that history, we intend to call on Congress again, this time to enact a core regulatory framework for legalized sports betting. We also will work closely with our clubs to ensure that any state efforts that move forward in the meantime protect our fans and the integrity of our game.”
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was a staunch supporter of the federal prohibition on sports gambling. It has lobbied states to exclude college sports in the event that PASPA was overturned. While schools and the NCAA stand to profit from the lift of the gambling ban, it gives college athletes another compelling reason to demand fair compensation for their talents.
“Today the United States Supreme Court issued a clear decision that PASPA is unconstitutional, reversing the lower courts that held otherwise,” NCAA’s chief legal officer Donald Remy said in a statement. “While we are still reviewing the decision to understand the overall implications to college sports, we will adjust sports wagering and championship policies to align with the direction from the court.”
If Congress fails to pass any legislation that regulates sports gambling on a federal level, states can move quickly to create their own policies. New Jersey and Delaware are both poised to take advantage of the PASPA overturn and could have sports betting windows open shortly.
According to a 2017 report from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, as many as 32 states could offer legal sports betting within the next five years.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.