Overview
In the years since the U.S. Supreme Court 2018 Murphy v. NCAA decision:
- 38 states have legalized sports betting, rapidly reshaping the consumer finance, behavioral health, and regulatory landscape
- In 2023 alone, participating states collected over $1.8 billion in tax revenue from legalized sports betting (Tax Foundation)
Despite the scope and speed of legalization, little is known about the individual- and household-level financial, social, and behavioral impacts of legalized sports betting. We also know little about how regulation, enforcement, and consumer protections influence these outcomes. In the absence of rigorous research, state and federal decision-makers must navigate high-stakes choices without a robust evidence base.
The Opportunity
This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to address that gap by funding rigorous, causal research that deepens our understanding of the financial, social, and behavioral impacts of legalized sports betting. We are interested in studies that produce actionable insights for policymakers, regulators, and advocates — particularly at the state level — where betting frameworks are rapidly evolving and evidence needs are acute. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and rigorous Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs).
Deadline: Letters of interest (LOIs) are due by Monday, September 15, 2025.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Criterion | Detail |
Policy Relevance | Why it matters: We believe research should inform actionable strategies and resource allocation, aligning with the priorities and pressing needs of decision-makers and communities. What we are looking for:
|
Study Design | Why it matters: We support research that aims to accurately measure impact and ensure that conclusions drawn are valid and reliable using RCTs or QEDs. What we are looking for:
|
How to Apply
We ask interested researchers to submit a letter of interest (LOI) for AV consideration (maximum of three pages) via our applicant portal. This RFP will remain open until September 15, 2025, and all LOIs must be submitted by that date. Applicants may use their own format, with single or double spacing, an 11-point font or larger, and one-inch margins. In addition to the LOI, please also share the following under the Optional Upload for Supporting Documents section on the portal (this will not count towards the LOI page limit):
- Study team overview: Outline the project team in 1-2 pages, including an overview of roles and responsibilities for key project members. You will be asked to upload brief (1-3 pages) CVs of key members of the study team to the portal.
- Budget request summary: Applicants should specify the amount of funding requested from AV, reflecting the project timeline and the study scope, and include an approximate project budget that is consistent with AV’s cost policy. While a formal budget is not required at this stage, applicants should provide detail on the anticipated drivers of project costs (e.g., personnel time, data acquisition, travel, and administrative costs).1
Applicants whose letters are reviewed favorably, based on the eligibility and selection criteria above, will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Timeline for Submission & Review:
Stage | Date |
LOI Submission Deadline | 9/15/25 |
Notification of Full Proposal Invitation | 11/15/25 |
Full Proposal Submission Deadline | 1/15/26 |
Notification of Awards | 4/15/26 |
Grant Period Begins | 5/15/26 |
You can find responses to frequently asked questions here. Please direct other questions about the selection criteria or application process to SportsBettingRFP@arnoldventures.org.
Sports Betting RFP Information Session
Date: Wednesday, August 13th
Time: 12:00 pm CT
Overview
Arnold Ventures’ Evidence + Evaluation and Strategic Initiatives teams are hosting an interactive 1-hour webinar to share more about our newly launched Sports Betting Sports Betting Request for Proposals (RFP).
During the webinar, we will share more about the RFP and how to submit an application, as well as answer your questions. This RFP seeks to support causal research that deepens our understanding of the financial, social, and behavioral impacts of legalized sports betting. We are interested in studies that produce actionable insights for policymakers, regulators, and advocates—particularly at the state level—where betting frameworks are rapidly evolving and evidence needs are acute. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and rigorous Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs).
The goal is for prospective applicants to learn more about the application process and better understand what we will be looking for in strong proposals. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A session.
Research Partner
As an important partner in this research, the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM), a nonpartisan organization devoted to evidence-based research, is working alongside Arnold Ventures to analyze proposals, research, and results. Working together, we can build on what we know today to more deeply understand the root causes of the problems and effectively address them through evidence-based solutions.