It used to be that sports betting was considered a heinous activity that no self-respecting stadium or fans wanted to allow. Now stadiums are welcoming sports betting with welcome arms.
Although New York and Illinois have yet to legalize sports betting, team owners in those states can’t wait to introduce wagering windows according to ESPN’s David Purdom.
Washington D.C. recently legalized sports betting, joining eight states. Since it has no casino the stadium of the Washington Wizards is one possible venue. NBC Sports Washington Plus is testing an alternate broadcast that features wagering within the game. So far it’s just a test and no betting is allowed yet.
Professional sports leagues, who have yet to persuade a legislature to give them a slice of the sports book prize with an “integrity fee” are nevertheless deal making with sports betting companies where they get a slice in return for the use of official logos.
The NFL has stayed above this activity and is the only one of the leagues to retain an official hostile attitude towards sports betting.
In Illinois, a casino could be coming to Chicago and sports betting to Wrigley Field under a bill the Illinois legislature has approved to dramatically expand gambling in the state.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he will sign the measure, Senate Bill 690, which authorizes six new casinos statewide, including in the Windy City, allows racetracks to add slot machines and other games of chance and permits sports wagering in the stadiums that are home to Chicago’s big-name sports teams: the Cubs and White Sox, the Bears, the Bulls and the Blackhawks.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Terry Link, has estimated the expansion will raise $12 billion for Illinois over a six-year period and create as many as 10,000 jobs.
Teams opting for sports books could install them within their stadiums or within a five-block radius. Their respective leagues will have to sign off first, however, and the cost for an initial betting license will be $10 million.
To date, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and several team owners have voiced their support for the legislation.
