MGM Resorts rejects sports betting integrity fees

The international operator’s CEO Jim Murren has voiced his opposition to integrity fees, soon after partnering with the MLB.

US.- Sports betting legalisation brought a major debate on whether it should be taxed with an integrity fee to be paid to the leagues in order to help them fund ways to prevent match-fixing. However, most say they are just the way sports leagues found to get a cut from a business they didn’t like but couldn’t manage to stop.

Recently, MGM Resorts International partnered up with the Major League Baseball (MLB) but the casino operator’s CEO Jim Murren has said he’s against the concept of an integrity fee in the local market. The deal covers both the US and Japan and will see bookmakers using the league’s official statistics while also working together to ensure responsible gaming.

The access to official data from sports leagues is one of the main arguments from integrity fees’ advocated as they consider companies should pay a percentage of revenue to the leagues for it. However, the deal between MGM Resorts and the MLB (without any fee) meant a major blow for the leagues’ aspirations.

MGM Resorts CEO has recently said he’s “offended by the concept” of an integrity fee and added: “I like the word integrity but I believe we are paying for that already, in the relationships we have, the money we are paying for data and the money we are paying for sponsorship.”