Caesars CEO Tom Reeg on future of sports wagering, ESPN offer

Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg informed CNBC on Monday that the more legalization of sports wagering is among the most significant development chances for the video gaming market in maybe over twenty years. 

“This is an enormous opportunity. I’d liken it to when states outside of Nevada and New Jersey started to legalize riverboat casinos in the ’90s,” he stated “Closing Bell.”

Reeg’s remarks came quickly after Disney-owned ESPN revealed it had actually struck a contract that makes Caesars, through its sports wagering partner, William Hill, a co-exclusive a partner for betting link-outs from ESPN. Shares of Caesars, which have actually been injured in 2020 as an outcome of the coronavirus pandemic, closed greater by more than 10% Monday to $55.39 each. 

“We think there’s a lot of money to be made here over time, and we’re seeing a lot of interest from non-gaming operators,” Reeg stated of legalized sports wagering. “This ESPN agreement being the latest evidence of that.” 

As part of Monday’s multi-year offer, Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill likewise ends up being a sponsor of ESPN’s dream sports items. Caesars likewise is the special chances service provider for ESPN. The 2 business have actually collaborated in the past. Last month, for instance, ESPN debuted a studio at Caesar’s The LINQ Hotel. 

Wall Street has actually been progressively thinking about sports wagering, too. Penn National Gaming’s financial investment in Barstool Sports, and the possibilities it offers around sports wagering, has actually caused a multitude of favorable notes from experts in current weeks. Shares of Penn National are up 156.42% this year, closing at a brand-new 52-week high of $65.54 each Monday. 

DraftKings, which likewise on Monday ended up being a co-exclusive partner with ESPN on betting link-outs, have actually increased more than 170% given that going public through a merger in April. Additionally, DraftKings will now be ESPN’s special service provider of everyday dream sports.

Reeg stated the truth that legalization of sports wagering in extra states is still fairly brand-new might make the video gaming market tough to assess today. “We have not seen a growth opportunity in this space in quite some time, so it’s an adjustment for analysts to look at a hyper-growth piece of a business that has been mature,” he stated.

In May 2018, the Supreme Court overruled a federal law that successfully made sports wagering unlawful in the majority of states. There are now 22 states, plus Washington D.C., that have actually legislated sports wagering, according to the American Gaming Association. Another 7 have active legislation considering it, since Aug. 17. 

With states dealing with substantial income shortages due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Reeg stated he believes sports wagering might be thought about by legislatures throughout the U.S. as a method to plug some tax holes. In May, Penn National CEO Jay Snowden provided a comparable evaluation on CNBC. 

“We’re in the very early stages of legalization of sports betting,” Reeg stated Monday. “I’d expect to see states that have budget issues related to the post-Covid era that may look to sports and online as a way to raise tax revenue.”