IMO, the single reason the NFL is the most popular sport in America is because of gambling and it’s always been that way.
Gambling on the NFL is the easiest form gambling to understand; all the games are on TV and most of the games happen on one day of the week.
I used to know a person here in Jacksonville that took sports bets as a side hustle, he had some large customers eventually got caught but somehow managed to skate which I chalk up to his customers being well connected around town.
I agree with you 100%. You nailed it totally.