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Gaming tribes remain cautious on sports betting expansion, national brand deals

Saturday, March 15, 2025 12:09 PM
Photo: Hard Rock Bet Profit Boost promotion (CDC Gaming Illustration)
  • Ryan Butler, Covers

Tribal stakeholders are the only gaming entities in several remaining states without legal sports betting. They remain content to wait on sportsbook approvals – without or without major brands.

Representatives from tribal casinos in California, Oklahoma and Wisconsin were among the panelists to speak at Thursday’s Next.Io gaming conference, reflecting a patient approach to sports betting expansion. While panelists largely agreed tribal gaming entities need to continue innovating, they wouldn’t rush into sports betting expansion – especially via partnerships without outside operators.

Most of the 31 states to approve mobile sports betting did so through deals requiring partnerships with commercial casino operators or professional sports teams.

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