Can NFL Stop Vegas Raiders Wagering
The big news that the Oakland Raiders will soon relocate to Las Vegas is an indication of a softer stance by NFL owners and the league on sports betting, especially football.
The news has created some false analysis and foolish assumptions among the national media outlets.
Those “talking heads” and others are mouthing off on Las Vegas and sports wagering with no insight about this new venture by the NFL in to the gambling capital. Many commentators have no relationship or understanding with the facts of the subject matter. It is difficult to understand the area of Las Vegas and Henderson without living there. Visiting the area and living there are different perspectives with regards to legal sports betting. Las Vegas and Nevada have a monopoly with controls in place and a regulated strong watch dog.
The NFL owners and NFL brass knows this legal wagering structure but are they ready for it. The NFL can still make and enforce rules for their players, coaches and refs but they cannot dictate to the city of Las Vegas where and when football betting can be available.
It would be obstinate to think the NFL approving the Raiders move to Las Vegas and thinking they have any power in pushing their policy of no betting on NFL games. Sure, it is their anti gambling policy they push on the league nationwide but it will not fly in the Vegas casino sports books. The Vegas books might consider a wagering ban on the Raiders when they are playing at home. It would probably be a policy just to appease Roger Goodell and the owners but just that one game off the board eight times during the season.
Mark Davis and the Raider organization in conjunction with the NFL is using 750 million dollars from the city and civic support to build a stadium and promote a successful NFL franchise. I doubt the city will allow any interference by the NFL to impose their way on the sports betting environment.
There will be problems when the new stadium decides to represent the Vegas scene inside the stadium. Vegas has slot machines everywhere around town. A supermarket, convenience stores and other locations are familiar with the one armed bandits. Could the new stadium have a slot machine area to be open before and after the game. What about those bettors at the game using their mobile apps to wager in a lounge area or specified betting area. Have any of the variables been discussed along with the whole operating stadium management policies.
There are a lot of sticky points to be resolved by the Raiders, the NFL and the city. Who has the upper hand — a power play in the works.
Certain media writers suggest the NFL is concerned about players staying in the strip casino resorts the day before a game. Any distractions exist in most NFL cities with nearby gambling in the surrounding areas. The is little difference between Las Vegas, New Orleans or Miami where there are illegal bookies and temptation around every corner. The exception between Vegas and other NFL cities is that Vegas does it right out in the open with a legal structure in place.
Besides, the smart players who learn the Vegas landscape will most likely stay away from the tourist crowded strip area. There are many good local casino resorts off strip and many nice quiet condos for rent and other “far from the maddening crowd” places to stay.
Many commentators, with their off base instant analysis, should contact some real Vegas operators to find out how Vegas does it right and above ground. It is easy to be critical of the Raiders and the NFL for this relocation effort but money talks and the end result will be a testament to the present and future prospects of Las Vegas and not the sordid reputation of the past. Vegas is known to reinvent itself over the decades and its future is still evolving in to a sports entertainment capital with a little sports wagering excitement on the side.
