With the NFL set to launch official betting on its games this year, it is no longer just a gamble; fans are now able to place bets on their favorite teams and players. The league announced Thursday that it has partnered with three sportsbooks to provide betting content on its games. The agreements grant the partners exclusive access to NFL content and set the stage for betting content to be integrated into NFL Network broadcasts. If the deals are successful, the NFL will receive almost $1 billion in revenue from its betting partners.
In addition to launching an official betting product, the Cleveland Browns are also partnering with the sportsbook company Wagr. Wagr is a social marketplace that makes verbal bets official by calculating point spreads and offering customers the option to bet against friends. Founded by two former Harvard students, the company will have an exclusive presence in Nashville SC’s new stadium and open activation tents. The company’s partnership with NASCAR is just one example of the type of partnership the team has secured.
The NFL’s ideal sports betting legislation would include substantive licensing requirements, clear markets, and consumer protections. In addition, it would prohibit insider betting and place onus on operators to prevent such conduct. To ensure a smooth transition to the legal sports betting market, the NFL hoped to get the support of all 32 NFL team owners. These owners are divided into four groups. While some have expressed support for official betting, others are not so sure.