Sports betting should go beyond the casinos to draw bigger crowd

[clevfan]

Sports betting should go beyond the casinos to draw bigger crowd
Posted Sunday, December 31, 2006
OUR VIEW
The News Journal, Wilmington, Del.

On the preceding page, state Rep. William A. Oberle makes a strong case for the re-introduction of sports wagering as part of Delaware's racino and lottery operations. We support Rep. Oberle's effort to bring forth a new version of betting.

We don't agree with his insistence that sports betting be confined to the three existing racinos.

Rep. Oberle says there already has been gambling on those racetracks and that somehow this would make sports betting more palatable to the anti-gaming gang. We're not sure of that logic, but it certainly isn't likely to attract new players to a Delaware sports betting book.

Rep. Oberle talks about customers visiting the three racinos to bet on the horses, play slots and wager on their favorite teams. What Rep. Oberle overlooks is there isn't always much in common among those types of gamblers.

Studies have shown that horse bettors are not inclined to play slot machines. They consider them sucker bets. Conversely, slots players seldom know much about horse racing. And sports bettors may not have a gaming interest in anything other than their team.

Confining sports wagering to the casinos also discourages bettors who don't want to be bothered with driving to the park and finding the section in the spacious venues to place their bets.

It also eliminates the casual sports bettors from nearby New Jersey, Maryland or Pennsylvania. None of these states are allowed under federal law to offer sports betting like Delaware can.

That is why we support incorporating sports betting parlors at select Delaware Lottery outlets, especially along the state's borders.

Offer the sports book in the racinos, but be flexible enough to also offer it to people who don't want to go there. That flexibility should generate additional revenue.