Sports fans in the nation's capital can now place their bets legally on a host of games right from their seat. BetMGM announced a partnership with Nationals Park, the first MLB stadium to allow legal sports betting via a mobile app.
“Your mom, your aunt. They come to the ball game. They want to place a hundred dollars on the Nationals. Why not? It’s fun,” Pete Anadio, Founder/President of Sports Bet Expert, said.
A partnership with a sports betting app isn’t coming to the Lone Star State, however. In May, a House bill (HB 2070) that would have legalized sports betting in Texas stalled in the legislature. Anadio says ballparks like Minute Maid in Houston are missing out.
“Legal sports betting is going to generate a lot of tax revenue. It’s going to create a lot of jobs,” Anadio explained. “It’s going to increase the traffic into the restaurants and shops and other businesses that are going to be involved with it.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is one of many Texas politicians who are opposed to the bill to decriminalize sports betting. However, supporters are pushing to get a referendum to voters within the next year or two.