Could this be the new AFL play. Games in Las Vegas to access the US betting market.

Don't laugh, the NRL have it under active consideration and if there's money to be made the AFL won't be far behind

The NRL is on the cusp of cementing a long-term strategy to cash in on “an absolute revolution” in online sports betting in the US, which could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcast fees, sponsorship and gambling revenue.

NRL executives are hoping to host two round one games in Las Vegas next year and will travel to the gambling hub next month to continue negotiations and planning with multiple stakeholders before any formal announcement.

The Australian Rugby League Commission chair, Peter V’landys, has been upfront about wanting access to the booming US sports betting market since he took over the job in 2019, one year after the US supreme court overturned a federal ban on the industry

“Like him or loathe him, V’Landys is all about the dollar,” said Colin Smith, of advisory firm Global Media and Sports.

Send GCS and GWS over there for a few games... no one would miss them

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/27/nrl-seeking-to-cash-in-on-absolute-revolution-in-online-sports-gambling-in-us

Maybe we dont go to the mecca of Betting...just sayin'

If I remember correctly back the late 70's, the late Allen Aylett envisioned a LA based team .

Hangover Round.

I’m in. 

And invite  in the US betting mafia and all the layers of corruption that would no doubt come with it. No thanks.

Guess he was a man ahead of his time.

Or not..

See, it is different for the NRL.

They have no soul to preserve.

IIRC they had a grand prix in one of the casino car parks years back so laying a bit of turf in an oval shape should be a cinch.

3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Could this be the new AFL play. Games in Las Vegas to access the US betting market.

Don't laugh, the NRL have it under active consideration and if there's money to be made the AFL won't be far behind

The NRL is on the cusp of cementing a long-term strategy to cash in on “an absolute revolution” in online sports betting in the US, which could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcast fees, sponsorship and gambling revenue.

NRL executives are hoping to host two round one games in Las Vegas next year and will travel to the gambling hub next month to continue negotiations and planning with multiple stakeholders before any formal announcement.

 

The Australian Rugby League Commission chair, Peter V’landys, has been upfront about wanting access to the booming US sports betting market since he took over the job in 2019, one year after the US supreme court overturned a federal ban on the industry

“Like him or loathe him, V’Landys is all about the dollar,” said Colin Smith, of advisory firm Global Media and Sports.

Send GCS and GWS over there for a few games... no one would miss them

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/27/nrl-seeking-to-cash-in-on-absolute-revolution-in-online-sports-gambling-in-us

I believe AFL markets may already be available for online betting overseas.

I had a friend back in Mexico who actually found AFL markets on her prefered betting app.

1 hour ago, Wells 11 said:

And invite  in the US betting mafia and all the layers of corruption that would no doubt come with it. No thanks.

No mafia would touch it unless it becomes a significant market. I doubt many Americans would dare to bet on Footy, if they can't even understand the sport 😅

Looks like the game of football that morphed into ‘commercial entertainment’ over the last few decades is looking at taking the next step in the wrong direction.
It currently has a shameful relationship with gambling. Looks like it’s possibly going to get a whole lot worse. So sad if it does.

Edited April 27, 20232 yr by Wodjathefirst

Hold on Gather Round, come on down Gamble Round!

Just ship the whole comp off for a round.

And please can we get the round sponsored by the NRA just to top it off 🙄

3 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Hangover Round.

I’m in. 

Charlie cheap. 
 

I’m in. 

Gil, and Vlad before him love anything American (like flashing lights and blaring music and incessant loud announcements)  if they can add anything more American no doubt they will.  And what could be more American glitz and faux than Las Vegas?

Sportsbet would no doubt fly him there first class and look after him well. 

Edited April 27, 20232 yr by monoccular

I shall confidently assert that there will be close to zero interest in US sports betting markets for any NRL (or AFL) games whether played in Las Vegas or anywhere else. 

20 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Send GCS and GWS over there for a few games... no one would miss them

Send who?

I'd be happy to send the Suns to the original Gold Coast in what's now called Ghana. 

22 hours ago, ElDiablo14 said:

No mafia would touch it unless it becomes a significant market. I doubt many Americans would dare to bet on Footy, if they can't even understand the sport 😅

I have the occasional $10 flutter and have absolutely no understanding of the sport, especially when Nichols is umpiring us.

Legal online betting in the USA only starting become available (outside of Nevada) in 2018.  There's a huge market there that's 20 years behind Australia. It's only going to get bigger.

I'm not sure how much a game held in the USA would increase betting revenue for the US but I'd be surprised if it didn't (given decent marketing). If the NRL trials this and it makes $$$ then the AFL will be soon to follow.  GWS vs GCS seems an appropriate match up.

Go the Saints vs The Demons and watch the Religious Right bet the farm on the Saints.