Ahead of ICE Sports Betting US later this month, Sportradar’s vice president of sales and gaming, Neale Deeley, assesses the current landscape in the US, touching on evolving state-by-state regulations.
What are the current data challenges in the US?
ND: Clearly the sports-betting landscape in the regulated US is still forming but what we do know is how central US sports are to the American punter. There are three key threads to this that we at Sportradar are pursuing. 1/ Official data (which has been discussed at great length) and continuing our strong relationships with US sports leagues. 2/ Increased coverage of US sports events, both within the States and from around the world. And 3/ Greater depth of coverage from scouts so additional markets can be offered.
How is competition among suppliers evolving within the data industry there? ND: In truth, we are expecting the data supply landscape to be just as competitive and lively as it is in Europe. Everyone is attempting to stake out their ground, just as we have done globally. This is good for the industry as recent history shows that a competitive supply landscape has generated innovation and ultimately a better product.
What are your thoughts on the current pace of state-by-state regulation? Has it evolved like you first thought? ND: In short, yes. The political calendar in the US always meant there was to be a pause in potential legislation around the mid-term elections, but we fully expect there to be progress in multiple states in 2019 and beyond. I think there is an unstoppable momentum behind sports-betting in the US and, as more states regulate, it will only breed further progress. That said, US politics at state level is as hard to predict as it is at a national level, so we have learned to expect the unexpected, as Arkansas and New Mexico have shown us in the last few weeks.
What you are expecting from the ICE Sports Betting USA event? ND: The timing of the show means it will be a great time to take stock and to look ahead to the progress we can expect in the new year. Some of the conversations we have had in the past six months since the decision on PASPA have been very fruitful and we are sure they will be continued in New York.
Sportradar will be showcasing their entire offering of betting and data solutions at the ICE Sports Betting USA event taking place in New York on November 27-28, 2018.
