Betting lounges are to be allowed at National Football League (NFL) stadiums from the start of the new season.
While over-the-counter kiosks will still be prohibited at the arenas, areas where teams’ partners can promote their mobile betting options have now been given the green light.
They will only be available in the five states that are home to NFL teams where sports betting is currently legal – Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. Some 14 states now allow sports betting following the repeal of the federal ban in 2018.
Previously franchises that had gambling partners were not able to advertise their betting services in stadiums, although casino products were allowed.
“We’re allowing betting lounges,” Chris Halpin, chief strategy and growth officer for the NFL, told ESPN. “Similar to daily fantasy lounges today, in an adult, discreet area, there will be a betting setup, but we’re not going to have betting windows.
“We are more and more excited about how sports betting is developing, and we’re now doing more in this space.”
The NFL, once a vehement opponent of sports betting, has signed up partners in the last two years. Philadelphia Eagles is one of the franchises that have agreed partnerships with betting operators, having collaborated with Unibet since last November.
MGM recently announced that it had become an official gaming partner of the Las Vegas Raiders, which will relocate from Oakland to Nevada for next season. MGM is also a Founding Partner of Allegiant Stadium, which will be the Raiders’ new arena when the next NFL season kicks off.
Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder recently said he is keen on incorporating sports betting at any new stadium for the NFL American football team.
Image: Populous
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