Professional Sports Leagues And Their Stance On Legal Sports Betting
The United States once held some of the most restrictive gambling laws on the planet, but in recent years, the attitudes of politicians have become more lenient.
Since the repeal of PASPA by the US Supreme Court in 2018, a majority of US States have begun the regulation of legal sports betting.
Professional sports leagues had traditionally been in direct opposition to local sportsbooks, but with so many states coming on board in the years following the PASPA repeal, those stances have softened or are now completely reversed.
In the following article, we detail where each pro sports league stands on the issue of gambling on their respective games.
The NBA Provides An Assist
The NBA was the first major league to come out in support of legal sports betting in the United States. In 2014, Commissioner Adam Silver penned an op-ed in the New York Times calling for a change in sports betting laws. Silver notes his organization’s own hypocrisy by saying the NBA has opposed sports gambling for over two decades.
However, it could be argued that no league has had more issues with its players betting on the games. There have been multiple incidents of players shaving stats to impact the outcome of NBA prop bets.
Still, the adoption process of sports betting by the NBA is nearly complete, as retail sportsbook locations are already established in several arenas.
NBA Arenas With Retail Sportsbooks
- United Center (Chicago Bulls)
- Footprint Center (Phoenix Suns)
- Capital One Arena (Washington Wizards)
- Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Cleveland Cavaliers)
From Pariah To Partner: The NFL Flagged For Inconsistencies
In the past, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been one of the most vehement opponents of legalizing sports betting, citing concerns over the integrity of the game as his main issue. However, as regulated sports betting markets have expanded across the US, he is beginning to let his guard down and accept the inevitable.
There are now franchises in the NFL that have business partnerships with sportsbooks and DFS providers, and a few stadiums feature retail betting venues either within their walls or just outside the entrance gates.
NFL Stadiums With Retail Sportsbooks
- FedExField (Washington Commanders)
- State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)
- MetLife Stadium (New York Giants/Jets)
Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, was the first to be played within a state that regulated sports betting. Now that a majority of the country is on board, this has become the norm.
Major League Baseball Calls Their Shot
The MLB has been the second-most vocal organization regarding sports betting legalization. Commissioner Rob Manfred has always believed that a regulated sports betting framework would boost fan engagement, which is precisely what has happened since its legalization nationwide.
Nowadays, MLB betting lines and run spreads are commonly discussed by broadcast teams and are shown onscreen during pro baseball games. Retail sportsbooks have begun debuting at Major League Baseball ballparks. Here are the current MLB sports betting locations around the country.
MLB Stadiums With Retail Sportsbooks
- Progressive Field (Cleveland Guardians)
- Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
- Citi Field (New York Mets)
- Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)
NHL Betting No Longer On Ice
While the NHL has made public statements in the past suggesting sports betting is bad for the sport, the league has conformed to the common sentiment among their fans that gambling on pro hockey is acceptable. Most US states regulate sportsbooks these days, encompassing a majority of pro hockey franchises and the cities they play in.
Local sportsbooks are now operating in most US states, with venues now accepting wagers inside NHL arenas. We expect the number of NHL sportsbooks in local arenas to expand to most teams.
NHL Arenas With Retail Sportsbooks
- United Center (Chicago Blackhawks)
- Capital One Arena (Washington Capitals)
NCAA Still Greedy
Aside from the NFL, the NCAA has been the most outspoken opponent of sports betting. Now that college athletes can earn certain types of income during their playing days, the NCAA believes that their athletes will be less inclined to accept a bribe or alter the outcome of games they participate in.
Since college sports are among the ranks of amateur athletics and are not deemed professional, authorities have been less inclined to integrate sports betting to the degree that pro leagues have. Some states have banned wagering on local games involving in-state programs. Others have installed a ban on all prop bets for college sports.
There aren't any NCAA institutions that support the idea of on-site sportsbooks. That said, there is nothing stopping players located in states that allow mobile sportsbooks from placing a wager at a college stadium or arena unless the region geofences such locations.
