The NHL announced it’s getting into the gambling business.
The league signed an agreement to provide casino giant MGM Resorts International with information for use in gambling where it is legal in the United States.
So what does the statement mean for hockey fans?
Not a great deal in the short term unless they are likely to earn a trip south of the border to place a bet.
The U.S. Supreme Court opened the way for expanded gambling last spring as it ruled states could now accept sports wagers.
Canada allows parlay, or multi-game, bets run through lotteries in each state, but doesn’t allow wagers on single events.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in New York the league’s seven Canadian teams”have been working together with the lotteries who restrain gambling on a national foundation.”
“I believe that will last,” Bettman said Monday. “I understand there have been a lot of discussions about going to single-game betting as opposed to parlay, which is exactly what now exists.
“As the law evolves, you will realize our development in dealing with it.” MGM, which struck a deal with the NBA and WNBA in July, is the NHL’s first official sports gambling partner.
The league had been compared to wagering on its events, but Canadian Gaming Association president and CEO Paul Burns stated the shift to U.S. laws forced the NHL to update its own position.
He added the pact with MGM is also excellent news for Canadians expecting for the opportunity to a day plunk some money down on a legal, single-game bet on home soil.
“It marked a departure for the NHL, particularly in Canada,” Burns said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “As the country’s most popular sports league, it was significant when they weren’t in favour of amending the law.
“Now entering into these kinds of arrangements, we welcome it. We’re encouraged . Hopefully they can help get the legislation changed here in Canada.”
Las Vegas-based MGM is gaining access to proprietary NHL information that could eventually consist of puck and player tracking information once the machine goes through a testing phase.
Bettman repeatedly cited”fan engagement” in the U.S. among the big bonuses of the bargain for the league.
There were previous efforts to amend the Canadian Criminal Code to allow for single-game wagers, including private member’s bill that died in the Senate prior to the last national election.
Burns reported the CGA has business, labour, law enforcement — Canadians wager and estimated $14 billion per year illegally, based on business’s figures — and municipal authorities on board with getting single-game wagering approved.
The NHL has made it clear it’s also open to this idea.
“The final remaining stakeholder that’d concerns and objections were professional sports leagues,” Burns said. “They’ve now changed their rankings.
“We don’t see any impediments to acquire the Criminal Code amendment done here in Canada.”
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