MLB team backs sports betting
After the MLB became an official partner of MGM, the Boston Red Sox have voiced their support for the segment’s legalisation in the US.
US.- Sports betting continues to expand in the US and has gone live in Rhode Island, just a day after the Major League Baseball (MLB) announced its partnership with MGM Resorts International. Amidst the integrity fees controversy, baseball seems to back the segment as the Boston Red Sox team has weighed in on the potential of sports wagering to boost fan engagement.
“There will be a positive revenue impact for the team – how much I don’t know – but that is absolutely secondary in my opinion to the (increased) engagement to people following, paying attention, being engaged with the Boston Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics as a result of betting on that sport and betting on in-game activities,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy told the Boston Herald.
According to Mr Kennedy, wagering will prevent fans tuning out when games seem to be already decided “because they’re engaging in betting on the outcome of what may happen,” and he added: “That’s happening today, it’s just in illegal fashion with non-licensed, non-regulated betting providers – off-shore or in other countries. The regulation is important, there is nothing more important to the Commissioner and the leagues than the integrity of the game. Players, front office members will not be allowed to engage in these activities. The general public will.”
Kennedy also praised sports betting’s legalisation and said: “It’s a great source of revenue for the states and from our perspective, it’s a great source of engagement in our product.”
