Getty Image / Kevin Abele
The annual NFL owner’s meetings are taking place this week in Phoenix, Arizona. The meetings run from March 26-29 and are being held at The Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.
While there is an array of rules and policy changes the owners are considering altering, one major change will be voted on by the NFL owners on Monday: the future of sportsbook betting.
Specifically, the NFL owners are set to vote on whether or not in-stadium sportsbooks should be allowed to stay open on game days.
According to PFT‘s Mike Florio, NFL owners are expected to vote in favor of keeping in-stadium sportsbooks open on game days. As things stand, the sportsbooks have to close on game days.
The list of current NFL stadiums with in-stadium sportsbooks is small but growing. It includes State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. But the Washington Commanders have been approved for an in-stadium sportsbook by the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Commission.
If we expand the list to include MLB, NBA, and NHL teams there are a LOT more stadiums with in-stadium sportsbooks. The New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Chicago Bulls + Blackhawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Diamondbacks, Suns, and others all have in-stadium sportsbooks.
If there is one thing the NFL and its owners love it’s $$$$$. Having in-stadium sportsbooks *OPEN* on game days could only mean more of that.
At the end of the day, there are some NFL fans confused on why this decision lies in the hands of the NFL owners. There are others that believe the NFL is becoming too commingled with the gambling industry.
Sports is becoming a gambling industry with games as the side hustle
— B. Roo Sweinberger 🏳️🌈 (@BruceWeinberger) March 27, 2023
This needs to happen as well:
How about allowing fans in stadiums to watch NFL Red Zone on their phones instead of blocking it the moment you step on the property?
— 🍁🍂TheCabinTweeter🍂🍁 (@CabinTweeter) March 27, 2023