Where Pro Sports Team Owners Stand On Legal Sports Betting

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was an early and enthusiastic proponent of legal sports betting as a means to deeper engage fans. He still sees it as another facet of the type of high-speed digital entertainment an increasingly tech-savvy fan base demands. The legalization of sports betting in the District of Columbia allowed him to open the first-ever retail sportsbook in Capital One Arena, where his Wizards (NBA) and Mystics (WNBA) play.

Beginning in 2024, the Capitals will brandish Caesars Sportsbook logos on their jerseys, marking another first for North American pro sports franchises as the NHL opens up advertising space on players.

Initially, as all four of the major professional sports leagues began inking data, then gaming and sports betting sponsorships and agreements, owners remained mostly silent instead of following Leonsis’ lead and the undeniable current that was gathering.

But with influential Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mavericks counterpart Mark Cuban openly advocating for it as Texas legislators mull legalization, owners are becoming more openly willing to leverage their influence for their financial good without worry over consequence, and in the process bring legal sports betting to locales that not long ago seemed unlikely propositions. Deals are coming in
droves, and teammates without gambling deals are increasingly in the minority and missing out on revenue streams.

What do other owners think? Playin USA is polling owners and perusing their track records for clues.

For these lists, green means they have actively sought sports betting deals or advocated for it; blue indicates a pattern of acceptance, black is unknown, grey means legal sports betting is supported but only in a certain format, and red shows a history of opposition.

What MLB owners support legal sports betting?

Arizona Diamondbacks

Kenneth Kendrick

The team lobbied on behalf of the bill that helped legalize sports betting in Arizona. Then in May of 2021 it signed a deal with Caesars – formerly William Hill – to open a full-time sportsbook in Chase Field and offer state-wide mobile sports betting there.

Atlanta Braves

Liberty Media (John C. Malone)

The team has banded with the Falcons, Hawks and United to push for legalized sports betting in Georgia.

Baltimore Orioles

Peter Angelos

No known stance.

Boston Red Sox

John Henry and Tom Werner

Team president Sam Kennedy said in 2018 that being able to bet on Liverpool soccer matches in England enhanced the in-person experience. Henry – whose Fenway Sports Group owns that club – and a group of investors pursued the purchase of Encore Boston Harbor casino in 2018 and 2019. The Boston Globe reported in November 2020 that Fenway Sports Group was pondering acquiring sports betting, eSports and data analytics properties.

Chicago Cubs

Tom Ricketts

The franchise announced a $100 million deal with DraftKings with intentions of putting a sportsbook in or around Wrigley Field by 2024, so … they’re on board.

Chicago White Sox

Jerry Reinsdorf

In May of 2024, Caesars Entertainment was announced as the team’s “Exclusive Casino Partner” and Caesars Sportsbook an “Official Sports Betting Partner.” Caesars gained access to logos and marks, rotational LED signage, digital and social media assets, according to a release.

Cincinnati Reds

Robert Castellini

Announced BetMGM as its retail sports betting partner and Underdog Fantasy for online in July of 2024. In June of 2021, the team allied with WynnBET to, according to a release, “collaborate on marketing efforts” and “introduce WynnBET” to Reds fans in Indiana “as the mobile sportsbook continues its expansion effort in the state.” The Reds were also a member of the Ohio Professional Sports Coalition, which lobbied state legislators for legal sports betting, and the right to offer bets.

Cleveland Indians

Larry Dolan

The Guardians have a mobile sports betting deal with bet365 and a retail pact with Fanatics. Also a member of the Ohio Professional Sports Coalition, which lobbied state legislators for legal sports betting, and the right to offer bets..

Colorado Rockies

Charles and Richard Monfort

They seem pretty comfortable with it after signing a deal to make DraftKings Sportsbook the Rockies’ official sports betting operator. In announcing a corporate sponsorship deal with BetFred USA Sports in March, Walker Monfort, Rockies’ Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, said “Sports betting has seen incredible growth across the country recently and we are always looking for new and exciting ways to engage with not only our fans but all sports fans throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.”

Detroit Tigers

Christopher Ilitch

The Tigers – whose ruling family owns Motor City Casino – were the first team in baseball to announce a sportsbook deal. The team announced BetMGM as its official gaming partner just before Opening Day in 2021 and added FanDuel later.

Houston Astros

Jim Crane

BetMGM was announced as the exclusive sports betting partner of the team on May 9, 2024.

Kansas City Royals

John Sherman

The club, along with St. Louis counterparts the Cardinals, Blues, and CITY FC expansion MLS team in October of 2021 filed nine ballot initiatives that would legalize sports betting in Missouri.

Los Angeles Angels

Arte Moreno

No known stance.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Guggenheim Baseball Management

In March of 2021, minority partner Todd Boehly led a SPAC in a $10 billion deal to acquire Sportradar and take it public. Sportradar is a leading provider of sports betting services for multiple operators. Could be a precursor or rich people diversifying the revenue stream.

Miami Marlins

Bruce Sherman

No known stance.

Milwaukee Brewers

Mark Attanasio

No known stance.

Minnesota Twins

Jim Pohlad

Carl Pohlad almost bought Canterbury Downs once. But that doesn’t really mean anything.

New York Mets

Steve Cohen

The team made Caesars an official sportsbook partner just before Opening Day in 2024 and announced plans to erect a sportsbook “lounge” at CitiField. The owner has designs on opening a casino next to the ballpark.

New York Yankees

Hal Steinbrenner

The team inked deals
with Bet365, DraftKings, and FanDuel before the 2024 season. The Yankees announced a multi-year renewal with FanDuel in April of 2024, which included the use of team marks, the opening of “premium VIP accommodations,” and increased signage in Yankee Stadium. Team president Randy Levine editorialized in December of 2020 that mobile sports betting should be legalized in New York among a raft of ideas to stem economic shortfalls. He likely didn’t do that without at least tacit approval from the big office.

Oakland Athletics

John Fisher

No public stance, but Las Vegas is rumored as a relocation destination before the latest still-fruitless attempt to build a new ballpark in Oakland. MLB now seems into a move or at least the machinations of one. Lists Cache Creek Casino Resort among its promotional partners.

Philadelphia Phillies

John Middleton

No public stance, but the Phillies, oddly, are the only big-four team in town without a gambling affiliation.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bob Nutting

Signed a content-sharing and advertisement deal with BetMGM in July of 2021 to plaster the sportsbook’s signage all over Bucco land. So, that’s telling. The unpopular executive in 2018 unpopularly asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for a cut of future tax from legal sports betting to help maintain PNC Park.

San Diego Padres

Peter Seidler

No public stance.

San Francisco Giants

Charles Johnson

Cache Creek Casino Resort became an official gambling associate in March of 2024 after being a promotional partner.

Seattle Mariners

John W. Stanton

The team has a corporate sponsorship deal with Emerald Queen Casino.

St. Louis Cardinals

William DeWitt Jr.

The club, along with the Kansas City Royals, and St. Louis counterparts the Blues, and CITY FC expansion MLS team in October of 2021 filed nine ballot initiatives that would legalize sports betting in Missouri.

Tampa Bay Rays

Stuart Sternberg

Team spokesperson told Playin USA that the organization did not have a comment on the subject when asked in February, 2021.

Texas Rangers

Ray Davis

Part of the Sports Betting Alliance with the Dallas Cowboys and Mavericks and multiple betting platforms, the Rangers vigorously support legalizing sports betting in a state where any form of gambling is tough to introduce. Team president Neil Leibman spoke in favor of a bill before a House committee in April, 2021.

Toronto Blue Jays

Rogers Communications

The team added Ontario sports betting outfit theScore as its exclusive official gaming partner on Opening Day in 2024.

Washington Nationals

Lerner Enterprises

Owner Mark Lerner has been vocally supportive of leveraging his real estate and franchise holdings through gaming and has signed a deal to open an MGM sportsbook in Nationals Park.

What NBA owners support legal sports betting?

Atlanta Hawks

Tony Ressler

Called the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018 a “very clear positive for the NBA.” The team has joined with Atlanta neighbors the Falcons, Braves and United to pressure lawmakers on passing sports betting legislation.

Boston Celtics

Wyc Grousbeck

He told CNBC that legal sports betting would increase the interactivity and amusement of NBA games.

“It ought to be done right and done correctly and done safely for everyone who participates and that we would take our piece of that,” he said. “Gambling happens anyway, let’s get it out in the open.”

Brooklyn Nets

Joseph Tsai

CEO David Levy had taken the lead on making the Barclays Center a New York sports betting hub, but Tsai continues to push with his partner’s departure. The organization has even trademarked “Brooklyn Gaming” and “Bet on Brooklyn”. In 2024, it made gambling deals with Betway, FanDuel, and the New York Lottery.

Charlotte Hornets

Michael Jordan

Atlantic City in the playoffs. Bets on the golf course. Oh, and the former No. 23 has an equity stake and a seat at the board room table with DraftKings as a special advisor. The team even enlisted former players Muggsy Bogues and Dell Curry to lobby lawmakers in Raleigh for a state-wide mobile expansion in 2021.

Chicago Bulls

Jerry Reinsdorf

Supported the implementation of sports betting in Illinois.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Dan Gilbert

The team signed Caesars as its official sports betting and casino partners in February of 2024. The team was a member of the Ohio Professional Sports Coalition, which lobbied state legislators for legal sports betting, and the right to offer bets. It also has a mobile deal with Fubo. … In March of 2021, the team announced a deal with Betway to create “an integrated marketing campaign to promote Betway through broadcast-visible signage and commercial reads, as well as a presence on team digital and social channels and other marketing assets.” They will also launch a free-to-play game. … Gilbert, a Detroit businessman and Quicken Loans billionaire, has a colorful history with gambling. According to the Lansing State Jour
nal, Gilbert and three other Michigan State students were arrested in 1981 on illegal bookmaking charges. Felony charges were dropped after he completed 100 hours of community services and paid fines. None of this stopped him from eventually owning a string of casinos – which he has sold – being approved to own an NBA team, or leading the movement to legalize casino gambling in Ohio.

Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban

Supports a Texas bill that would allow professional sports franchises and pari-mutuel facilities to become license-holders. He invests in Unikrn, a gaming and eSports platform.

Denver Nuggets

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

In 2020, the sports and holding company signed a deal for PointsBet to become the official gaming partner for the Avalanche, Nuggets (NBA), Mammoth (National Lacrosse League) and Pepsi Center, where they play.

Detroit Pistons

Tom Gores

The team signed a multi-year sports betting deal with BetRivers in January 2021 and WynnBET two months later.

Golden State Warriors

Joseph S. Lacob

Lists Cache Creek Casino Resort among its promotional partners.

Houston Rockets

Tilman Fertitta

Supported a Texas bill that would allow professional sports franchises and pari-mutuel facilities to become license-holders. He owns the Golden Nugget retail casino empire. Fertitta will join the DraftKings board once his sale of the Golden Nugget online casino business to DraftKings closes.

Indiana Pacers

Herbert Simon

In August 2020, the team signed PointsBet as an official sports gaming partner in a multi-year deal. DraftKings is also al sports betting partner.

Los Angeles Clippers

Steve Ballmer

The former Microsoft executive leans into the Leonsis mold, envisioning his innovative CourtVision technology as a potential betting platform.

Los Angeles Lakers

Jeanie Buss and family

Said Buss in 2015: “It already exists now, so as a league we’re behind our commissioner in the process of supporting legalization on a federal level. We want to see him accomplish that goal, because we feel that any engagement with the fans is a positive. If our fans are already doing it, then it should be something that’s brought out into the mainstream and it should be regulated.”

Said Buss at the CAA World Congress of Sports in 2018: “Sports wagering and sports gambling will have a big effect on fan participation and interaction. What’s important is to protect the integrity of the game, and to protect the players since the fans will be more invested in the game and protect the officials.”

Memphis Grizzlies

Robert J. Pena

Inked FanDuel as official sports betting partner in November 2020. Also has a partnership with WynnBet and is opening a themed sports lounge in FedEx Forum.

Miami Heat

Micky Arison

He’s the chairman of Carnival Cruise lines, which owns Princess, which plans to become the first fleet to offer legal, mobile sports betting once in international waters or where legal through local jurisdiction.

Milwaukee Bucks

Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens

Betway became the official gaming partner of the Bucks in February of 2024. Lasry said in 2017 of the prospect of betting on professional basketball games, “my view is you should have it. It happens. So we can stop making believe it doesn’t happen and I think Adam [Silver]’s right.”

Minnesota Timberwolves

Glen Taylor

He’s exploring a sale, but it’s a bad time to dump expensive things. In a state with no legal sports betting,  a new revenue stream could help, but he’s made no public proclamations.

New Orleans Pelicans

Gayle Benson

The team added BetRivers as an official sports betting partner in 2024. Harrah’s, the Caesars Entertainment brand with a casino downtown, became an official partner of the team in December 2018.

New York Knicks

James Dolan

Madison Square Garden Company lobbied hard but unsuccessfully for mobile and online sports betting in 2019. In 2024 it added BetMGM and Caesars as sports betting partners.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Clay Bennett

Riverwind Casino is a long-time corporate sponsor.

Orlando Magic

Dan DeVos

Did not respond to an inquiry from Playin USA. Powerful neighbor Walt Disney Corp. teamed with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 2018 to successfully oppose a gambling expansion in Florida.

Philadelphia 76ers

Josh Harris

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment was the first in the league to partner with a mobile sportsbook, FOXBet in November 2019. Invests in gaming-content media platforms. The group owns Crystal Palace Football Club, which brandishes W88 online gaming brand as title sponsor.

Phoenix Suns

Robert Sarver

The team lobbied on behalf of the bill that helped legalize sports betting in Arizona. Las Vegas was his first choice for a franchise location when he bought the team in 2004.

Portland Trail Blazers

Jody Allen

Quiet owner of her late brother Paul’s two Pacific Northwest teams – including the Seattle Seahawks – she makes few public proclamations on any topic.

Sacramento Kings

Vivek Ranadive

Like the Clippers, the Kings have appeared to be grooming Californians for that likely far-off day when they can bet on live sports. In 2019, the team refreshed their three-year-old “Call The Shot” game to very much resemble a gambling app. Sponsor: MGM. Fans can wager pretend cash on hypothetical outcomes.

San Antonio Spurs

Peter Holt

No public stance, but notably not among the other Texas pro team owners lobbying for sports betting.

Toronto Raptors

Larry Tanenbaum

In 2005, he bought a majority stake in Casino and Gaming Television, a lif
estyle channel featuring gambling programming, but not gambling, which would have been illegal under Canadian law.

Utah Jazz

Ryan Smith

Advocating sports betting would be a truly bold decision in Utah, where all forms of gambling are illegal, and the beer is even watered-down.

Washington Wizards

Ted Leonsis

The principal of Monumental Sports & Entertainment was the quintessential early mover, with the former AOL senior executive professing sports betting as the next level of engagement.

What NFL owners support legal sports betting?

Arizona Cardinals

Estate of late Bill Bidwell

The team publicly supported the legalization of sports betting in Arizona, then inked a market-access agreement with BetMGM in August of 2021. BetMGM plans to open a sportsbook in State Farm Stadium in 2024.

Atlanta Falcons

Arthur Blank

A spokesperson told Playin USA, “our organization is supportive” of the legalization of sports betting in Georgia.

Baltimore Ravens

Steve Bisciotti

The Ravens signed BetMGM as its official gaming partner in May of 2021 and in August of the same year inked DraftKings as “official daily fantasy sports partner” and an “official sports betting and free-to-play partner.” In 2018, the Ravens became just the second NFL team to sign a casino sponsor, Horseshoe Casino. In September of 2021, the team expanded on that partnership, naming Caesars Sportsbook a “premier sports betting partner” as part of a five-year agreement.

Buffalo Bills

Terry and Kim Pegula

In 2019, Pegula Sports and Entertainment joined Madison Square Garden in funding a lobbying campaign to bring mobile sports betting to New York state. Pegula also owns the Sabres NHL team. Two days before mobile sports betting came to New York, the Bills announced FanDuel as its official partner. On Jan. 15, the Bills added Caesars as the same.

Carolina Panthers

David Tepper

Supportive, but measured given the nuances of advocacy in the Bible Belt.

Chicago Bears

Virginia Halas McCaskey

In June of 2021, the team made BetRivers their official sportsbook partner and Rivers Casino their official casino partner. BetRivers and Rivers Casino will acquire in-stadium signage, and digital, social and print assets. The team lobbied Illinois legislators in favor of legalization and could eventually a sportsbook in Soldier Field.

Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Brown

The Bengals announced Betfred as their official sports betting partner in July of 2024.

Cleveland Browns

Jimmy and Dee Haslam

The Browns announced Bally’s as their official sports betting partner in April 2024. Plans for the multi-faceted deal include a lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. …. The Browns had also been a member of the Ohio Professional Sports Coalition, which lobbied state legislators for legal sports betting, and the right to offer bets..

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones

Supported a Texas bill that would allow professional sports franchises and pari-mutuel facilities to become license-holders. He owns an equity stake in DraftKings.

Denver Broncos

Joe Ellis

Signed FanDuel as its official sports betting operator in 2020.

Detroit Lions

Sheila Ford Hamp

Signed BetMGM as the team’s first official sports betting partner in 2020. In July of 2021, the Lions added WynnBet as an official sportsbook and gaming partner and announced plans to build “WynnBET Sports Bar at Ford Field.” The deal was the first partnership with a pro team for WynnBet.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers, Inc.

The team inked a deal with Oneida Nation in 2019, but has made no sports betting pacts since the limited advent on tribal land in 2021. The only sportsbook in Wisconsin is currently in Green Bay.

Houston Texans

Cal McNair

The team added Caesars Entertainment as its first casino sponsor in August, 2021.

Indianapolis Colts

Jim Irsay

Signed Caesars Entertainment and William Hill as official sports betting partner in 2020. In 2021, the Colts upped Caesars’ title to “premier sports betting partner” and named it their official casino partner, too. Also in 2021, the team kicked in $100 in FanDuel credit for new ticket-buyers.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Shahid Khan

Declined comment to Playin USA through team spokesperson, but the English Premier League team he owns, Fulham, had sports betting and online casino company BetVictor as its primary jersey sponsor in 2020 and 2
021.

Kansas City Chiefs

Clark Hunt

Stance unknown, but late H.L. Hunt set the cornerstone of the family fortune with $100,000 in poker winnings.

Las Vegas Raiders

Carol and Mark Davis

Seriously?

Los Angeles Chargers

Dean Spanos

No public stance in a state where legalization seems far off. Spanos could have been awash in legal sports betting had he moved the team to London. (He actually had to issue a press release to deny this before encamping the Chargers in SoFi Stadium.) Pechanga Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, is the official California casino partner of the Rams, Chargers, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.

Los Angeles Rams

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

In 2020, the sports and holding company signed a deal for PointsBet to become the official gaming partner for the Avalanche, Nuggets (NBA), Mammoth (National Lacrosse League) and Pepsi Center, where they play. No such opportunity in Los Angeles, but it stands to reason he’d love to tap into that revenue stream. Pechanga Resort Casino, owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, is the official California casino partner of the Rams, Chargers, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.

Miami Dolphins

Stephen Ross

His RSE Ventures invested $17.5 million into a gaming media content platform in 2019. He also owns the Dolphins’ stadium, and leased naming rights to Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Seminoles maintain a virtual monopoly on gaming in Florida and are a gatekeeper to sports betting ever being legalized there.

Minnesota Vikings

Zygi Wilf

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, which boasts a Vikings-themed gaming area on its casino floor, was a founding partner of U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota was one of the first to sign a casino partnership.

New England Patriots

Robert Kraft

Kraft Group was an early investor in DraftKings and the team has been a vocal advocate for the legalization of mobile and online sports betting.

New York Giants

John Mara and Steve Tisch

Mara was opposed to legalized sports betting in New Jersey as recently as 2014, but evolved with his fellow owners to where the Giants have an official sports betting partner in DraftKings. Tisch asserted in 2019 that wagering was having a positive impact on NFL television ratings.

New Orleans Saints

Gayle Benson

The Saints’ home will be the Caesars Superdome for the next 20 years after the state legislature approved the naming rights deal in July of 2021, just months before legal sports betting in Louisiana is set to launch. Don’t count on retired Saints legend Drew Brees using the proper name. Brees is a PointsBet man now. The storied stadium is the second in the NFL to be branded by a company with gambling interests, joining Hard Rock Stadium (Dolphins). Harrah’s, the Caesars Entertainment brand with a casino downtown, became an official partner of the team in December 2018.

New York Jets

Robert Wood Johnson IV

In September of 2021, the team signed Fubo as its first official sports betting partner and announced plans to open Fubo Sportsbook Lounge at MetLife Stadium by the 2021 season. It would be a mobile-only lounge. A few weeks later, WynnBet came aboard and snapped up a naming entitlement to the WynnBET Green Room at MetLife Stadium for Jets games. In October of 2018, the Jets became the first NFL team to gain an online gambling operator as a sponsor, with 888casino, and inked MGM as an official gaming partner. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation financially supports problem gambling programs.

Philadelphia Eagles

Jeffrey Lurie

Brought on DraftKings as an official sports betting partner in October 2020. The team later added FOX Bet and Unibet to a crowded portfolio.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Art Rooney II

The family was steeped in dog and horse racing long before PASPA was a glimmer in New Jersey horsemen’s eyes, and the team followed script in a state that has embraced the enterprise by adding BetMGM as an official sports betting partner in November, 2020. The team added Unibet as a marketing partner in August, 2021.

San Francisco 49ers

Denise DeBartolo York

Lists Cache Creek Casino Resort among its promotional partners.

Seattle Seahawks

Jody Allen

Quiet owner of her late brother, Paul’s, two Pacific Northwest teams – including the Portland Trail Blazers – she makes few public proclamations on any topic.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bryan Glazer

The team joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Walt Disney Corp., various pari-mutuel interests and MGM Resorts International in 2018 in financially supporting an eventually-successful campaign to stem the expansion of gaming in Florida. Requests for comment by Playin USA have not been answered.

Tennessee Titans

Amy Adams Strunk

The team became the first in Tennessee to sign a sports betting partnership when it locked up BetMGM in September, 2020.

Washington Commanders

Dan Snyder

The unpopular owner has been angling for the ability to open an in-stadium sportsbook or benefit from sports betting revenues as he plays Maryland and Virginia off each other for a
new stadium deal.

What NHL owners support legal sports betting?

Anaheim Ducks

Henry Samueli

Unknown.

Arizona Coyotes

Alex Meruelo

In January, 2024, Meruelo Gaming LLC announced that SaharaBets would be the official sports betting platform of the Coyotes. Meruelo owns Sahara Las Vegas and Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The team had lobbied on behalf of the bill that helped legalize sports betting in Arizona.

Boston Bruins

Jeremy Jacobs

He has lobbied for sports betting – especially mobile – vigorously, which has made Massachusetts legislators wary of conflicts of interest as they debate legalization. Jacobs is the chairman of the NHL Board of Governors and the majority shareholder and chairman of privately-held Delaware North, which owns nine casinos in seven states and TD Garden, where the Bruins play. The team inked Boston’s DraftKings as its official sports betting partner in November, 2021, anticipating future legalization.

Buffalo Sabres

Terry and Kim Pegula

FanDuel became the team’s official sports betting partner in 2024. In 2019, Pegula Sports and Entertainment joined Madison Square Garden in funding a lobbying campaign to bring mobile sports betting to New York state. Pegula also owns the Bills NFL team.

Calgary Flames

N. Murray Edwards

Bet big on Canadian oil sands. Otherwise, a mystery.

Carolina Hurricanes

Tom Dundon

Team owner Tom Dundon told The Athletic in September of 2021 that he wanted in-arena sports betting and hoped North Carolina legislators would quicken their pace in allowing it to happen. Team president Don Waddell lobbied North Carolina lawmakers for an expansion of mobile betting in North Carolina in 2021. … There was speculation that Dundon, the former majority owner of the Alliance of American Football, had cleverly pumped $70 million into the league during its death throes to secure the rights to a proprietary sports betting app that had yet to be deployed. But MGM ultimate retained the technology through a bankruptcy filing.

Chicago Blackhawks

Rocky Wirtz

Joined ownership of the Cubs, White Sox and Bulls in pushing for the legalization of sports betting in Illinois and the collection of integrity fees by professional organizations.

Colorado Avalanche

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

In 2020, the sports and holding company signed a deal for PointsBet to become the official gaming partner for the Avalanche, Nuggets (NBA), Mammoth (National Lacrosse League) and Pepsi Center, where they play.

Columbus Blue Jackets

John P. McConnell

The team has a mobile sports betting deal with Fanatics. A member of the Ohio Professional Sports Coalition, which lobbied state legislators for legal sports betting, and the right to offer bets.

Dallas Stars

Tom Gaglardi

Unknown.

Detroit Red Wings

Christopher Illitch

The Red Wings – whose ruling Illitch family also owns Motor City Casino – inked a gaming partnership with FanDuel in March, 2021.

Edmonton Oilers

Daryl Katz

Unknown. But he once paid $85 million for a house. In this market?

Florida Panthers

Vincent Viola

Did not respond to an inquiry from Playin USA.

Los Angeles Kings

Philip Anschutz

Reclusive, he’s made sizeable contributions to conservative political and social groups and overseen production of multiple religious-themed movies through his film studio.

Minnesota Wild

Craig Leipold

Unknown.

Montreal Canadiens

Geoff Molson

The Habs added Playtika as an official gaming partner in 2019.

Nashville Predators

Herb Fritch

Signed DraftKings as the team’s official sports betting provider in December, 2020. The team added a Bally’s partnership in 2021.

New Jersey Devils

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

The organization was an early adopter of gaming tie-ins and opened a sportsbook-themed bar in Prudential Center. Invests in gaming-related media platforms.

New York Islanders

Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky

In 2024, the team added Betway, Jackpocket, and the New York Lottery as sports betting partners.

New York Rangers

James Dolan

Madison Square Garden Company lobbied hard but unsuccessfully for mobile and online sports betting in 2019. In 2024, the team added BetMGM and Caesars as sports betting partners.

Ottawa Senators

Eugene Melynk

In 2018 signed a deal to build a 1,500-square-foot bar in Canadian Tire Centre that would eventually be branded with Hard Rock signage.

Philadelphia Flyers

Brian Roberts

Early and aggressive marketer of sports betting with two SugarHouse lounges in Well Fargo Center.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ronald Burkle and Mario Lemieux

Made BetRivers its official sports betting partner, with plans to opening a sportsbook lounge in PPG Paints Arena.

San Jose Sharks

Hasso Plattner

Lists Cache Creek Resort among its promotional partners.

Seattle Kraken

Seattle Hockey Partners

Majority owner David Bonderman already has a gaming partner in Muckleshoot Casino.

St. Louis Blues

Tom Stillman

The team, along with St. Louis counterparts the Cardinals, and CITY FC expansion MLS team, and Kansas City Royals in October of 2021 filed nine ballot initiatives that would legalize sports betting in Missouri.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Jeff Vinik

A team spokesperson told Playin USA that Vinik is “in favor of legalizing sports betting in Florida as long as it can be done in a responsible manner.”

Toronto Maple Leafs

Larry Tanenbaum

In 2005, he bought a majority stake in Casino and Gaming Television, a lifestyle channel featuring gambling programming, but not gambling, which would have been illegal under Canadian law.

Vancouver Canucks

Francesco Aquilini

He’s a major esports believer, but publicly agnostic on gaming.

Vegas Golden Knights

Bill Foley

In a deal certain to make the locals feel proud, VGK announced a jersey entitlement partnership with locally based Derek Stevens-owned Circa Sports in April, 2024. The team had already been all-in as would be expected of the first big-four team in the world gambling mecca, having signed the NHL’s first sports betting partnership – with William Hill – in 2018. An abortive deal with Upick Trade tout service helped reveal the limits of what the industry can accept.

Washington Capitals

Ted Leonsis

The principal of Monumental Sports & Entertainment was the quintessential early mover, with the former AOL senior executive professing sports betting as the next level of engagement. In 2024, the Capitals will brandish Caesars Sportsbook logos on their jerseys. The Caps were the first North American pro sports team to agree to such a jersey deal with a gaming entity.

Winnipeg Jets

Mark Chipman

No public stance, but parent company True North Sports & Entertainment owns an interactive fan app that looks very much like a mobile sports betting platform.