The National Football League (NFL) recently voted that physical sportsbooks within its stadiums can remain open for operation on game days. According to the Athletic, this change will be effective as of the 2023 season.
States with legalized sports betting are affected, bringing that total to 33 (and counting) plus Washington DC. Out of 32 NFL franchises, 17 are also included, though the Washington Commanders is the only team with a sportsbook right inside its stadium.
The Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and New York Jets operate sportsbooks from sites nearby. The FanDuel Sportsbook located at Meadowlands Racing is less than 20 minutes’ walk from the Giants’ and Jets’ home, MetLife Stadium, while Arizona’s State Farm Stadium houses a BetMGM sportsbook in its parking lot/tailgating area.
The NFL’s stance on gambling has continued to change in recent years, though fans in legal sports betting states were already able to place bets from their seats if using an online sportsbook from a mobile phone or device.
The first NFL sportsbooks were announced April 2021, when the NFL signed agreements with BetMGM, Fox Bet, PointsBet and WynnBet to become approved sportsbook operators for that season, as well as announced partnerships with FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars Entertainment for exclusive rights to leverage NFL marks within the sports betting category.
Revenue will reportedly not be shared with other teams until it reaches a value estimated at around $20m. Any money exceeding that mark would then be shared with the 31 other teams.
