The Supreme Court is going to hear arguments on December 4th surrounding New Jersey’s right to legalize sports gambling and there seems to be a foregone conclusion that the SCOTUS will rule in the state’s favor before the end of June 2018. MGM Resorts International (MGM) seems particularly confident, announcing its intention to become the first casino in the state with an on-site sportsbook. At last week’s Sports Betting USA Conference, Jay Hood, the company’s VP of Race and Sports, said development has begun on a $7 million sportsbook at the Borgata hotel and casino in Atlantic City. But ESPN gaming writer David Purdham isn’t convinced we’re going to see legalized gambling in 2018, placing odds on the high court siding with New Jersey at -$110 (or just 53.5%).
Howie Long-Short: Experts have estimated a legalized sports gambling industry could be worth $150 billion, but Monmouth Park owner Dennis Drazen believes that number to be as high as $400 billion. Either way, Drazen (and William Hill) is prepared to cash in once the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of ‘92 is repealed. Back in ’11, when NJ voters approved sports betting legislation, Drazen partnered with William Hill (OTC: WIMHY) on a sportsbook at Monmouth Park. That property, which was turned in to a sports bar, is currently being converted back to its intended use. Drazin said the Monmouth Park sportsbook could open within weeks of a SCOTUS decision.
Fan Marino: Give DraftKings credit for being creative in finding ways to engage fans. The company recently partnered with MSG Networks (MSGN) on a live fantasy show that ran parallel to a Knicks game broadcast and as of Q1 2018, will be airing select Euroleague games within their mobile app; enabling fans to flip between their fantasy contest and a live game broadcast. Unfortunately for those invested in daily fantasy, legalized gambling is set to put the industry out of business. In-game betting is going to replace it.
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