Last week, NFL owners voted to allow betting on NFL games at sports books located inside of stadiums, while the game is being played. This change is expected to go into effect at the beginning of next season. Currently, the Washington Commanders are the only NFL team with a physical sportsbook located within their stadium premises.
The Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Jets all have sportsbook located just outside of their stadiums gates. Now, the changes to the rules could prompt teams such as the Cleveland Browns to switch their focus from betting lounges to an on-site sportsbooks, where fans could be betting on NFL games while watching in person.
However, not all teams will be able to capitalize on the change, as only 18 out of the 32 NFL franchises are based in states where in-person sports betting is legal. By locating their sportsbooks outside of stadiums, teams like the Cardinals have been able to avoid sharing gaming revenue with other teams under the league’s gate revenue-sharing agreement.
The vote also marks a significant step towards a growing relationship between the NFL and gambling, which could further expand if betting becomes legal in states such as California and Texas. Despite the past history, allowing betting on NFL games within stadiums is a monumental shift for the League.