Betting has become a major topic in the sports landscape since the United States Supreme Court struck down PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) earlier this year, but not every state has legalized sports betting in the months that have followed.
In fact, only two New England states, Rhode Island and Connecticut, have legalized sports betting as of now. It's quite possible that other states, including Massachusetts, could approve a bill in the state legislature that would allow fans to legally bet on games in 2019 and beyond, but the future of any bills is uncertain at this point.
It's not so uncertain in other parts of the nation, including Pennsylvania. Here's the latest on what could be coming for 76ers fans who want to bet while in attendance at Wells Fargo Arena. It's not possible right now, but might not be that far off, as NBC Sports NBA Insider Tom Haberstroh explained in a recent column:
(Caesars SVP Marketing & Chief Experience Officer Michael Marino) envisions that in early 2019 fans seated inside Wells Fargo Center can open up their Caesars app on their phone and bet on the game. The state of Pennsylvania legalized land sports betting in November, but online gambling hasn’t been launched yet. Now, fans on their phones can only bet legally in New Jersey, just a few minutes away.
It’s partnerships like these that have people wondering how soon we will see a sportsbook at an NBA arena. Salerno believes fans will be soon able to bet on NBA games in a brick-and-mortar space at an NBA arena “within the year.” Think Churchill Downs, but with an NBA game as the live event.
Marino doesn’t think Wells Fargo Center will have a sportsbook any time soon, but it’s not out of the question for Caesars to open up a sportsbook on-site down the road.
For fans who enjoy wagering on games, being able to bet at the arena would be pretty cool. Whether it's through an app from your seat or at a sportsbook inside or near the stadium, betting on a game you're attending would add a new level of excitement and anticipation for many people.
It's certainly something the NBA should look into, and you'd assume they will if there's money to be made.
Click to read Haberstroh's in-depth piece on NBA betting>>
Boston Celtics
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON SCHEDULE