Pegula, who spoke at CAA World Congress, expects legalized betting to create more cross-team interestTONY FLOREZ
If New York lawmakers eventually expand sports gambling to "legalize online betting," Bills and Sabres co-Owner & President Kim Pegula "wants to be sure the teams have the ability to offer it," according to a front-page piece by Tim O'Shei of the BUFFALO NEWS. Pegula said, "I don’t think that we’ve been shy about saying that we are for sports gambling in New York State, and especially in-venue." She added, "We need to have that opportunity to provide (the) amenity for our fans. And we should be the ones to be able to have that opportunity, because it’s our game." O'Shei notes sports betting in New York will "soon be legal at four upstate casinos." For the moment, that means fans would have to "physically drive to those casinos to place bets." But many lawmakers are "pushing for sports betting to be allowed on mobile phones." If enacted, that would "allow fans to place wagers from inside stadiums and arenas." Therein "lies Pegula’s interest." As Bills execs shape ideas for a new or renovated stadium, she said that they are "considering the type of technology that would need to be in place to support online betting." They are also thinking about "creating common areas where fans can watch not only their games, but other games, too." Pegula, whose comments came at the CAA World Congress of Sports, expects that legalized sports betting will "create more cross-team interest" (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/4).
PLAYING CATCH UP: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps wrote Ohio is "lagging behind" other states when it comes to sports betting. Senate Bill 111 -- which would "legalize sports wagering in Ohio and offer online and mobile options -- was introduced March 14." But there has "yet to be a hearing on the proposed legislation." Since June '18, New Jersey has had more than $2B legally wagered on sports. In the last four months, the tally is almost $1.4B. Cleveland-based KeyBanc Capital Markets Head of Gaming & Travel Investment Banking Jay Masurekar said, "In New Jersey, 80% of the handle is online or mobile. We are losing that demo and showing them that Ohio isn't ready for the 21st century. That is the real story here" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 4/2).
SLOW & STEADY: A Hampton Roads DAILY PRESS editorial states that Virginia is "wise not to jump headfirst into the potentially treacherous waters of sports gambling." Lawmakers have, instead, "opted to study the issue for a year, giving them a better picture of how various forms of gambling will affect the commonwealth’s financial outlook." The rise of legalized gambling is "growing at such a pace that society has not yet realized the complex repercussions that may result." The editorial: "We don’t need any more reminders that players, coaches, referees and owners can become entangled in the dangerous world of debt and repayment, meaning sports leagues must do all they can to better enforce rules against gambling" (Hampton Roads DAILY PRESS, 4/4).
