The young U.S. sports betting industry has expanded to more than $3 billion in total bets in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting. It now faces a critical second year as more states enact sports betting laws, according to Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, Miller said his group will focus on ensuring that emerging markets install proper regulations and practices.
“The Supreme Court decision to overturn (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992) was a transformative moment for the gaming industry. It created a new, legal sector that is driving tremendous growth,” Miller said. “In the first year alone, legal sports betting revenue in the United States increased by nearly $170 million due to the more than $3 billion in bets placed in the legal market.
“The year ahead will be critical to continuing sports betting’s expansion across the country, but most importantly, making sure we get it right,” he said. “With 18 states plus Washington, D.C. having legalized sports betting, we’re committed to promoting regulation and best practices.”
Miller said that the drive to overturn PASPA was about more than expanding gaming markets. “First, it’s important to remember why we pushed to overturn the failed federal ban and allow for legal, transparent sports betting,” he said. “We wanted to destroy the illegal betting market and the criminal activities it finances, protect consumers from illegal operators and, finally, we wanted to protect the integrity of games and bets.”
Miller also said it is not surprising that sports betting is being so quickly embraced by the public. “Part of the public support for sports betting comes from the growing popularity of casino gaming over the past decade. Today, nine in 10 Americans view gaming as a mainstream form of entertainment. Naturally, this enthusiasm extends to sports betting.
“For years, consumers have wanted to bet on sports legally but were forced toward the illegal market. Now that sports betting is a legal option in several states, we see adults embracing it as a safe alternative to the vast illegal market that’s thrived in this country for decades.”
He said the spread of commercial casino gaming over the past 30 years laid the groundwork for the introduction of legal sports betting. “After experiencing firsthand the social and economic benefits that gaming brings to communities—including greater support for nonprofits and small businesses, employment and wage increases and funding for services and infrastructure—it’s no wonder that so many Americans grew to support the gaming industry’s presence. That’s why lawmakers are now moving quickly to reap the benefits presented by sports betting.”
Despite the spread of casino gaming and sports betting. Miller still sees Nevada as the most important U.S. gaming market. “Even as legal markets have been established across the country, Nevada continues to be a driving force behind the American casino industry,” he said. “Last year was a record-breaking year for casinos in the state, and the state’s sportsbooks have seen year-over-year growth every month in 2019. The overturn of PASPA has increased sports betting enthusiasm everywhere, bringing vast social and economic benefits to Nevada and beyond.”
AGA’s chief priority in 2019 will be to ensure a properly regulated sports betting industry emerges. “First, we have a huge opportunity right now when it comes to rolling out legal sports betting, and one of my top priorities is making sure we get it done right,” he told the Sun. “Second, I’d like to channel the popularity of our industry into political power by developing champions for gaming in communities and in Congress. Finally, I’m focused on modernizing payment options to give consumers choice in how they make purchases at one of our properties.
“It’s been just about six months since I started my tenure as president and CEO of the AGA and I could not be more optimistic for what the future holds for the organization and our industry,” he said.
Miller also announced last week that Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Sara Slane will leave the organization this month to form her own advisory firm assisting sports and media companies firm.
Slane, 39, joined the AGA in 2014 and had been a primary advocate for legalizing sports betting. She also worked on issues regarding internet gaming and the defeat of an Internal Revenue Service proposal to lower jackpot-reporting levels. She has testified many times before Congress and state legislatures.
Slane’s efforts on behalf of sports wagering allowed her to build alliances with sports leagues and policymakers while developing the AGA’s strategy. Slane said, “My goal is to become involved in business development for the leagues and the media side to help them understand gaming. There are a tremendous amount of complexities and spearheading the initiative obviously gave me a tremendous amount of experience.”
A graduate of Ohio University, Slane joined the AGA after serving as a vice president with MGM Resorts International. She managed the successful ballot referendum on gaming expansion in Maryland that led to the development of the $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor.
Miller also announced that AGA Senior Vice President and General Counsel Stacy Papadopoulos has accepted the position of general counsel and senior vice president of operations and special initiatives at the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Papadopoulos served as the AGA’s interim chief executive officer following last summer’s departure of former Chief Executive Officer Geoff Freeman, who became the Grocery Manufacturers’ chief executive officer.
Miller said, “The AGA accomplished a great deal during Sara and Stacy’s tenure, and much of our organizational success is to their credit. Their contributions helped reshape and advance the organization and enable some of the most significant policy victories in our organization’s history. Our team, our members and the entire gaming industry benefited greatly from their many contributions.”
Miller also announced three promotions: Dan Bretl has been named senior vice president, strategy and operations; Casey Clark has been named senior vice president, strategic communications; and Chris Cylke has been named senior vice president, government relations. Previously the three were vice presidents.
“These promotions recognize the contributions these three leaders have already made to our organizational and industry success, and their ability to lead functions that are fundamental to AGA being the best steward of our industry, and advocate for our members,” said Miller.
He added, “Dan, Casey and Chris have decades of hospitality, advocacy and association leadership experience that will continue to be valued assets for me, for the AGA staff, and for our members as we continue to advance the gaming industry’s interests across the country.”
