STATESIDE Photo by Casey Murphya on Unsplash
2022-on that weekend. New York State topped the list with 13.9 million. What’s critically important is that GeoComply’s technology spotted and blocked more than 140,000 fraud attempts. That bolsters the industry’s seriousness and commitment to compliance and good business practices. This made me begin to compare the public relations components of football-or any professional/college sport-with sports betting since each makes money and develops a following from the other. Consider these striking similarities:
• Integrity- Professional/college sports leagues have make serious attempts to curb improper, or illegal, activity. Athletes found illegally betting or taking enhancement drugs have faced suspensions or other punishments. AGA President Bill Miller reported that 992
nationwide commercial and tribal casino properties operate in more than half of U.S. states. Increasing regulated jurisdictions will guarantee more confidence. However, drawing in newer, younger players will fail
these guys “duke” it out for the final points? Even the analysts were amazed and plenty of people told me of their outrage that in essence, the ref steered the result. The call ran down the clock, making it almost impossible for the Eagles to even tie the score and go into overtime. The Chiefs won by three points in the final seconds of regulation play. To say Eagles fans, and millions of fair-minded people, screamed about another example of questionable refereeing is an understatement. If you have read this column, you know I have railed against the controversial calls. These Super Bowl referees are supposed to be the officiating elite. It is infuriating to continually hear the media pundits and former referees-turned- network rules analysts say that “someone got away with doing something wrong without a penalty” or that a charged penalty was a “bad call.” The Super Bowl’s sports betting numbers
increased by 25 percent over 2022. Caroline Ponseti, senior director of The Herald Group and former American Gaming Association (AGA) director of media relations, stated GeoComply Solutions, Inc. conducted 100 million geolocation checks in and around State Farm Stadium, from more than 8,000 sportsbook accounts. The company registered 7.4 million accounts-a 32 percent increase from
10 MARCH 2023
if they view a sports wager as “iffy” at best and dishonest at worst. Why bet hard-earned money on a game that could turn on questionable calls? For me, gaming must inspire confidence of accuracy, whatever the final score. The National Football League (NFL) has changed some rules because of obvious, inherent unfairness of certain prior processes. • Infrastructure and Leadership- An industry, worth billions, that pays its top executive millions, should demand competency in the fundamentals like having a safe, secure playing field. During the Super Bowl, the football field’s numerous unsafe spots caused several players to slip and fall. The situation was so bad that numerous players had to compensate by changing or adjusting their shoes. Really? The NFL had months to prepare. What are they paying the Commissioner of Football, who makes tens of millions annually, to do if his office cannot at least confirm the field is in perfect condition? • Guaranteeing Player Base Legitimacy- Ponseti mentioned 140,000 fraudulent betting attempts, which may have included both ineligible geographic bets or underage efforts to wager. It doesn’t matter, as long as they cast a wide net over shutting down the activity.
Miller held a post-Super Bowl webinar to discuss the
2022/2023 state of gaming. More on that later, but the future looks very bright for sports betting. In the five years since the 2018 Supreme Court decision to legalize states’ autonomy to conduct sports betting programs, its popularity and growth has exploded. Close to three dozen states have developed their
own programs and Miller predicts that number will rise to 40 by the end of 2023. Those are phenomenal numbers, but everyone related to gaming must aim to assure players they are getting a fair deal. Attracting customers the first time is easy. It’s about the times after that. Retaining customers means perpetuating their beliefs that we are getting it right.
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