The sports landscape has changed considerably over the course of the last year. Obviously, the pandemic has impacted the sports world in ways none of us could have imagined. However, that is not the only change we are seeing.
Gambling, long a vice reserved for Las Vegas and illegal bookies, has been legalized in many states. Colorado is no stranger to this legalization, and the Denver Broncos have wasted no time getting into the sports betting world.
As Ian St. Clair and I discussed on the MHR Radio Podcast, the Broncos announced two new partners.
Most of us know the first new partner, FanDuel. If you play fantasy football you are aware of the different versions of daily fantasy sports. They will be a big part of the game-day experience.
The second partnership is with Betfred, a UK-based company, has partnered with the Broncos. The agreement has plans for an onsite betting lounge, the first in the NFL.
The location will be on the south side of Empower Field at Mile High, near the Ring of Fame plaza. It will be up and running by the start of the 2020 season, but no one knows what it will look like.
Gambling on sports in America has always come with a bit of a stigma. It is seen as unsavory, has ties to the mafia, and is somewhat frowned upon. However, companies like Betfred have been operating in Europe for a long time. With legalized sports gambling in the US, the negative connotations will eventually disappear.
For now, the Broncos have taken the lead in the sports betting world for the NFL. These partnerships will continue to build throughout the league. If the Broncos and their new partners are able to show that success can be had, more teams will find similar partnerships.
Onsite betting could be the way of the future, and that is being paved by the Denver Broncos.