Professional Leagues Continue to Push Sports Betting
It was only a few years ago that professional sports leagues in the United States were fighting to keep sports betting as an illegal activity. That is no longer the case, and now things have shifted in the complete other direction.
The four major sports leagues all have deals with online sportsbook operators in the United States, and some of those teams do as well. With over 30 states with legal sports betting, these leagues are able to cash in on the action that takes place at the sportsbooks.
Maryland is looking to launch online sports betting at some point, but there was some big new surrounding retail sports betting and the NFL. California is hoping to legalize sports betting through a vote in November, and Major League Baseball is trying to help out.
FedEx Field Getting a Sportsbook
FedEx Field is the home of the Washington Commanders and it has actually been a big topic of discussion in both Maryland and Virginia in the push for sports betting. This franchise is expected to build a new stadium at some point, and it will want to be in a state where it can establish a retail sportsbook.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission officially approved FedEx Field for a sports wagering facility license, but it’s unclear when that sportsbook will open. There are currently six retail sportsbooks live in the state, but another five are expected to launch at some point in 2022.
Since the Commanders have a training facility in Virginia they are also approved to offer betting in that state as well. With this new license in Maryland, FanDuel Sportsbook is expected to become a partner with the Commanders and set up a retail sportsbook.
This state is more concerned with getting online sports betting up and running, but that launch is not going to happen until 2023 at least.
MLB In Middle of California Battle
The sports betting battle in California is an absolute mess, and it’s a battle that is really starting to heat up. Voters in the state will be faced with two differents propositions on the ballot in November that would legalize sports betting in two very different ways.
Online sportsbook operators are behind Proposition 27 as it would create an online sports betting industry in the state. Native American tribes support a different model that would limit all of the betting to casinos on tribal land.
Major League Baseball is clear as to which proposition it prefers as it just sent out a letter officially backing Proposition 27. The biggest reason that the league supports this model is that it believes that it will protect the integrity of the game.
Some state lawmakers immediately came out with a statement in response to the letter from MLB as they believe that Proposition 26 is the best option. Both sides have been advertising in the media, and the campaigns are mostly an attack on the other side.
