Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is keen on incorporating sports betting at any new stadium for the NFL American football team.
The Redskins currently play at the 82,000-seat FedEx Field in Prince George’s County, Maryland and are contractually obliged to stay at the stadium until September 2027. The team has been exploring its stadium options for after 2027 and it remains to be seen where any new venue would be located.
The Washington Post newspaper reports that Snyder views a gambling license as “integral” to plans for any potential new stadium that is built on the FedEx Field site.
Last February, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan withdrew from efforts to persuade the Redskins to build a new stadium at the Oxon Cove Park site. It marked an about-turn for Hogan, who had previously confirmed that he had negotiated a nonbinding land swap with U.S. Interior Department officials that could have allowed the team to build a proposed 60,000-seat ground on the parcel of federal land in Prince George’s County.
The Post has now reported that Snyder has requested at least three separate meetings in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, to urge officials to push for a gambling license. Two lawmakers who attended a meeting on Tuesday told the Post that Snyder said he would finance a new stadium without the need for public support if a gambling license is acquired.
Del. Erek L. Barron, chairman of the Prince George’s delegation, told the Post: “It was a businessman making a commitment to Maryland… who was willing to put his own money into it. In Prince George’s we need to be doing everything we can do to promote jobs and economic development. I think any businessman singing that music, we should be listening to him.”
Hogan’s spokesman Mike Ricci said that Hogan has “no position” on Snyder’s proposal, although the matter has been discussed during previous meetings between the two.
Maryland currently allows casino gambling and the state’s general assembly is considering expanding this to include sports betting.
The Redskins have previously explored the possibility of building a new stadium near the team’s previous home, RFK Stadium.
Image: Populous
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