Premier League backs US sports betting expansion

England’s Premier League would support an expanded sports betting market in the US, according to rights partner Football DataCo.

The US Supreme Court is due to rule on New Jersey’s bid to overturn the federal 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which blocks states from legalising sports wagering.

Nevada is currently the only state in which punters can legally wager on sports in the US, but the situation could change should New Jersey succeed in its long-running effort.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB), as well as golf’s PGA Tour, have publically backed New Jersey, with the two former competitions also setting out potential laws.

Attorneys for the NBA and MLB have suggested sports betting firms be required to use official league data, share customer data, as well as pay a percentage fee of the amount wagered on the sports and allow leagues to have input on the type of bets sportsbooks can offer.

Adrian Ford, general manager of Football DataCo, the official rights-holder for the Premier League and all professional football leagues in England and Scotland, said the Premier League would support this approach.

“Broadly, we don't think what the leagues are asking for is fundamentally wrong, if you're trying to come up with a framework that works for both parties,” Ford told ESPN.

“We would not see why there would be an issue about sports getting a return from betting; we’d echo some of the high-level statements the NBA has made.

“If someone is making money off us, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be interested in that and why we shouldn't have some level of involvement in the commercial return.”

Ford added: “When it comes to customers and integrity and really trying to provide the best experience, official data, backed by the leagues, is fact; you need a gold standard.

“Ultimately, the common goal – and it is easier said than done – must be to have a functioning, regulated, safe betting market that brings all the offshore money onshore for the good of the sport, for the protection of the players and presumably for the good of the states that are going to get tax revenues.”

Related article: Player unions weigh in on US sports betting debate