Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Article 17
Is Gambling Good or Bad?
by Ian Sherrington
August 2026
Series – The Online Gambling Industry
Historically, gambling has never been such an issue as it is right now. In my article The Three Eras of Gambling I argue that the reduction of frictional barriers, particularly with the advent of gambling on the Internet, has made gambling more accessible to more people than ever before. And therefore it affects more people than ever before.
As the inventor of online Sports Betting in 1996, I played a big part in reducing that friction and making gambling available to a much wider audience. Arguably, I brought entertainment to many but perhaps also negatively affected many others too.
Opinions on the gambling issue have always been diverse. Some argue it is a human right to be able to place a bet while others are concerned that rampant gambling will be the end of society. These opposing arguments are certainly not new, it just that they are becoming more vigorous as the number of gamblers increases as does the size of the gambling market. Which is understandable as there’s a lot more money and lives at stake than there ever was.
So… It is time. I need to understand more about this vital subject. Do I have the right to a clear conscience? Will I get to heaven or hell?
Press the button!
Brought to you with the assistance of
And our friends at
Series Introduction
The Online Gambling Industry
A Series of Articles
Ian Sherrington, July 2024
In 1996, a small sportsbook in Austria accepted the world’s first online sports bet: a $50 gamble that Tottenham Hotspur would beat Hereford United in a third round FA Cup replay.
Since then, the rise of the online gaming industry has been meteoric. From humble beginnings, in seedy apartments and dimly lit basements, visionaries and programmers created computer systems that would form the foundations of a remarkable industry.
This transformation has extended gambling opportunities in unprecedented ways. As each new system or service came online, it gained popularity and momentum, leading to rapid growth.
Today, the industry is worth a fortune, with a turnover calculated in the trillions of dollars. It pays significant taxes, contributes to worthy causes, offers investment opportunities, and provides employment to many.
This first article in the series “The Online Gambling Industry” outlines the origins of the industry; looking at the key innovations that contributed to the beginnings of the online gambling industry.
We will explore how these early developments set the stage for the thriving online gambling landscape we see today.
The following articles in this series will delve deeper into the evolution of the industry, revealing the pioneers and their ground-breaking contributions. Join us, as we uncover the fascinating history of online gambling!
A Note from the Author
Dear Reader,
I’m Ian Sherrington and thank you for your interest in this fascinating topic. As a programmer, I played a key role in the early days of the Online Gambling Industry. On January 17th, 1996 the first online sports bet was accepted by the new Intertops website which I had conceived and created. Intertops has been online and accepting bets ever since.
I’ve stayed in the industry and continue to innovate and contribute in various ways, not just technically. During my time I’ve witnessed the evolution of the industry first-hand.
I always wanted to write about the industry and how it came to be and uncover the innovations and the innovators, many of whom I have met, and their invaluable contributions.
Now I have the chance to do it so now I’m investigating .. Who did what, when and.. why?
Huge thanks to Paul and all for your patient editing!
Let the Series begin!
Ian Sherrington, July 2024
