In an effort to increase its presence in sports, the NFL has become increasingly aggressive in its pursuit of partnerships with gambling operators. This has included embedding gambling content in broadcasts and integrating the experience of sports betting in stadiums. In April, the league announced that three sportsbooks would be its official betting partners. If the deal works out, the league stands to make more than $270 million in revenue from these partnerships. But what exactly is an official betting partnership, and why is it beneficial for fans?
First and foremost, sports betting is legal in many U.S. states, including Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Since then, the number of people betting on golf events has been steadily rising, and PGA Tour official betting operators are seeing significant growth. In fact, by 2021, the number of sports bets placed with these companies will be 50 percent higher than in 2020. Further growth is almost inevitable, said Scott Warfield, PGA Tour vice president of gaming.
In addition to Nevada, a growing number of states are considering legalizing sports betting. In March 2018, voters approved the expansion of sports betting in Oregon. The state’s sports betting bill, SB-291, was signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey. The state’s gaming regulator, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, will work to establish regulations for the industry. By January 2023, there could be up to 25 legal sportsbooks in the state.