Another ‘half-dozen’ states could move forward with legalizing sports betting in the next year, according to Andrew Winchell, Director of Government Affairs for FanDuel.
Speaking at SBC Summit North America 2021, Winchell told SBC Media that the industry will see ‘constant innovation’ with new payment systems and wager types on the cards in the next 12 months.
Asked about his vision for US sports betting, Winchell remarked: “So I think we’re going to see a significant increase, we’re already over 30 states that have legalized sports betting in some way. I think you’re going to see maybe another half-dozen in the next 12 months that will move forward with it as well.
“I think you will see states that only move forward with retail sports betting and some looking at online opportunities. I also think that there will be more interesting movements to new forms of payment that are accepted, new forms of wagers that are allowed, and constant innovation.”
Winchell appeared on a panel at the North America event in New Jersey, talking about the changing landscape of the US sports betting regulations. He addressed delegates on the ‘different models’ taken by states to ever-changing legislation on sports betting.
He added: “It was a really good panel. We had a discussion about what has happened over the last couple of years since that repeal of PASPA and how states have moved forward on legislation with different models.
“I think it was really good having a couple of regulators and former regulators as well as representatives from Major League Baseball and operators to talk about all the challenges that have come up in states and the opportunities that have been presented.
“I think the key takeaways are that the industry is still evolving, that operators need to work closely with regulators in states as they move forward in implementing sports betting. They need to work with legislators to ensure there is no legislation put in place that is going to be too constrictive.”
