Times have changed when it comes to the relationship between professional sports leagues and the sports gambling industry. The NFL has opted to expand the potential for in-stadium sportsbooks to exist across much of the league. But how will such a decision potentially impact the league, its teams, and the sportsbooks they get involved with? Here, we take a look at the potential ramifications of that decision.
NFL Votes to Allow In-Stadium Sportsbooks
In late March, the NFL voted to permit in-stadium sportsbooks to exist in stadiums starting in the 2023 season. This would allow bettors to place in-person sports wagers during NFL games, which would further cement the gambling-related popularity of the NFL. With this expansion of gambling in the league, teams would keep a certain amount of gambling revenue from in-stadium transactions, while amounts over that threshold would be pooled and split with the rest of the league.
Teams In Legal Sportsbook States
What is interesting about this plan is the fact that not every NFL team resides in a state where sports betting is legal. The Washington Commanders have already set up a Fanatics Sportsbook location at FedEx Field, but there are many other teams that currently reside in legal sports betting states. Here is a look at each of those teams in the eight divisions in the NFL.
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills (New York)
- New York Jets (New Jersey)
- New England Patriots (Massachusetts)
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens (Maryland)
- Cleveland Browns (Ohio)
- Cincinnati Bengals (Ohio)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Pennsylvania)
AFC South
- Indianapolis Colts (Indiana)
- Tennessee Titans (Tennessee)
AFC West
- Denver Broncos (Colorado)
- Las Vegas Raiders (Nevada)
NFC East
- Washington Commanders (Maryland)
- New York Giants (New Jersey)
- Philadelphia Eagles (Pennsylvania)
NFC North
- Chicago Bears (Illinois)
- Detroit Lions (Michigan)
NFC South
- New Orleans Saints (Louisiana)
- Carolina Panthers (North Carolina)
NFC West
- Arizona Cardinals (Arizona)
Which Teams Could Have In-Stadium Sportsbooks?
Realistically, all of the teams listed above could set up in-stadium sportsbooks at their home stadiums. But it might not make sense for every team to do that. Buffalo, for example, resides in a state where tax rates for sportsbooks are higher than they are in most states. Therefore, it may not be worth it for a sportsbook to incur the costs of setting up and operating a land-based sportsbook that is open for just a few days a year.
Other locations, like Las Vegas, may simply not need another land-based sportsbook where they are operated. Considering that Allegiant Stadium is right across the road from the Las Vegas strip, shoehorning a sportsbook into that building may not be beneficial for anyone, especially with many Raiders fans staying on or near the strip potentially.
However, there are plenty of locations around the NFL where in-stadium sportsbooks could be a lot of fun. Adding a sports betting destination to somewhere like Glendale, AZ could turn Cardinals games into more of an attraction, even when the team itself is not at its best. At the very least, it will be interesting to see where this goes for the NFL teams mentioned above.
Concerns With NFL Stadium Sportsbooks
While adding sportsbooks to NFL stadiums is an interesting and exciting prospect, there are a few concerns with such an idea. These have nothing to do with game integrity or anything like that (though suspending Calvin Ridley while soliciting in-person bets is wild). But here are a few questions we have about what in-stadium NFL sportsbooks would look like.
Online Sportsbooks Are More Convenient
First, how are NFL stadiums going to contend with the convenience of online sports betting. Online sportsbooks do not require bettors to wait in a line or to carry cash with them, both of which would cause delays in bettors being able to place in-person wagers at NFL stadiums. With most of the venues listed above being in states with online sportsbook options, it will be interesting to see how the NFL navigates this.
NFL Cutting Into Sportsbook Margins
Running a sportsbook is not the most profitable way to get involved with the gambling industry, as the profits are typically in the margins on bets placed on either side of a game. But those small margins will be cut into even further by the NFL and its teams wanting a cut of whatever action is generated at their venues. Whether or not this is worthwhile for the bookmakers will be something to keep track of.
Wild Swings For Sports Bettors
Finally, it is unlikely that bettors will go to a game at the stadium of their favorite NFL team and bet against that favorite team. Because of that, wins by the home team will mean big wins for bettors over the bookmaker, while home losses will mean the opposite and a big day for the books. While this would be the case for fans betting online in each state as well, this is something bettors will need to watch out for depending on how their favorite teams play at home versus on the road.
