Scott Butera of MGM Resorts predicts in-stadium sports betting to be key, and tribal casinos to bring sports betting to California.
According to Scott Butera, President of Interactive Gaming at MGM Resorts International, in the future sports venues across the US will provide in-stadium sports betting.
Butera is well-placed to gauge the prevailing winds of change in the US, as since starting his role in June he has been constantly engaged in talks with leagues and teams in an effort to sign MGM as their official gambling partners. So far, MGM has succeeded in signing a three-year deal with the NBA.
Bloomberg quoted Butera as saying:
“The conversion rate from sports fan to sports bettor is very high. That’s your most robust customer.”
Though the state of California is not expected to legalise sports betting in the immediate future, there is still plenty of scope for sports betting expansion on tribal territories in California, as evidenced by MGM and GVC signing an agreement with the United Auburn Indian Community earlier this week.
Despite recognising the potential, Butera is being cautious with his view of the future, saying:
“There’s a lot of interest in sports betting. Figuring out how it unfolds is the question. I’m in it every day, and it’s going to be an evolution.”
The journey to legalised sports betting in California began in July last year, when Assembly member Adam Gray introduced a introduced a constitutional amendment that paved the way for legalisation should PASPA be struck down.
However, despite Gray reaffirming his position within hours of the Supreme Court ruling declaring PASPA unconstitutional, not much progress has been made since, and all eyes are on a pending voter referendum on the issue.
(Photo: © Paul Maguire | Dreamstime.com)
