I might partially disagree on the OP's point because, believe it or not, the sports industry can reach what it is now even without the existence of sports betting. Sports betting, in fact, just started to become an idea because of the existence of sports, which is kind of obvious.

Besides, even without the existence of sports betting, expect that more people will be involved in sports activities because it is part of the country's culture, and there is even a so-called "national sport" per country.

Sports betting contribution in the sports industry is technically just about gambling, where huge money circulates - business as usual.

I don't see how it contributed to the growth of the sports industry as a whole.