How The NHL Has Embraced Sports Gambling

Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, decided it was time for the NHL to also participate in legal sports betting after witnessing numerous professional sports organizations integrate sportsbooks into their operations. Aside from the NHL as a whole, individual teams in the NHL can also make ties with sports betting operators. Sportsbooks will soon be available in hockey arenas, allowing participants to place bets while at the game.

Why It’s Been Working for the League

With sports betting being legalized, American sports changed dramatically, and while some sports have been slower than the NHL to embrace this sporting evolution, the NHL showed that it wasn't scared to take the risk. The Golden Knights have deals with several hotels and casinos in their market, and the NJ Devils partnered with William Hill sportsbooks.

The NHL also partnered with the same sportsbook at the end of the season. Purists may be wary of the changes, but the data shows it's beneficial for the league, according to an article on NHL.com.

During the 2018-19 NHL season, NHL betting hiked by 38% at William Hill's Nevada Sportbooks. According to a recent survey, NHL supporters are more inclined than other leagues' fans to stake not only on their sport but on all the main 'Big 4' leagues.

Sports betting allows fans to participate in a game in a unique way. They become more interested and watch the games more. In some ways, it would even attract people who previously had no interest in hockey. They will be tempted to put a wager and have the urge to watch the games as they have bet on them.

Some people may not understand power play in hockey, the Philadelphia Flyers starting goalkeeper, or the team that won last years’ Stanley Cup, but if they consider wagering on a hockey game, they may become more interested. They’ll probably discover they enjoy the sport and start attending games, purchasing event tickets and team merchandise even if they don't place bets on NHL odds. That's what the NHL desires.

It recognizes that it cannot avoid sports betting, but it can earn huge profits provided the worst aspects are avoided, such as team players and personnel staking on their own games.

Despite the NHL's continued expansion in Seattle, a gambling partnership allows them to expand the sport in new regions at a lower cost. Since there are very few limitations on sports that may and may not be staked on based on where you live, a person who resides in one state will likely develop an interest in teams from other states or bet markets because they are allowed to wager on them.

So, for those who believe sports gambling isn’t welcomed in professional sports, relax! Sports betting outlets in stadiums are still a long way off. The sport itself is not changing; it's just how fans interact with it.