Thanks for fitting me in, I’m sure you’re very busy! So, how do you like ICE?
I love ICE. It’s exciting to see all the products around sports betting specifically, and sort of where we could head in the future in the near term. It’s a great show with a lot of interesting new products which we, hopefully, will be bringing to the US shortly.
What do you think, in general, that American gaming can learn from European or international gaming, especially on the subject of sports or online gaming?
There’s no greater resource from our perspective than European gaming, specifically on sports gambling. You’ve obviously been through a lot of different legislative and regulatory models, which helps inform our discussions as to what works and what doesn’t to drive out the illegal markets. That’s tremendously helpful as we have these discussions in the United States.
How do you feel that American casino executives benefit from being here at ICE?
I think it’s exposure again, to operators, suppliers, and representatives from media rights companies. And just getting smarter on the issue on sports: diving into the partnerships that exist, and what can be done with rights, as we develop the legislative model for sports betting.
You’re speaking in a panel this morning, I understand. What do you expect to cover in that?
I think (laughs) the $50,000 question is what’s going to happen with the courts, the Supreme Court – how do we think that they’re going to rule, what are we doing in preparation. Obviously, we’re waiting to see how the Supreme Court rules on New Jersey and what that would mean. So sharing our prognostication on where we think the Court will end up – which is always a little bit dangerous, of course – is top of mind, I think, for everyone.
Right. Do you have any instincts on which way they’re going to go?
I think however they rule – and I think the least likely outcome is that they uphold PASPA – moves us one step closer to bringing legalised sports betting to the United States. So if it’s a partial repeal on New Jersey’s model, certainly that moves us closer. And, clearly, if they rule that PASPA is unconstitutional, that certainly opens the floodgates for other states who have been contemplating legislation to move one step closer.
Is there anything you’d like to share with us regarding G2E Asia or G2E Las Vegas?
I think, for us, the timing of both G2E Asia, and then certainly G2E in Las Vegas, will be at the height of how the sports betting discussion unfolds. The court is expected to rule on sports between now and the end of June at the latest, so I think it’s important that anyone in the gaming industry try to be at those shows, not only to potentially expose their products but also get smarter on the topic. So the timing is pretty perfect.
A bit of a general question on the back of those. What do you feel is the most interesting or the biggest change facing the gaming industry?
I think sports betting is the next frontier for the gaming industry on multiple fronts. Not only does it provide another opportunity for the industry to reinvent itself, and provide another form of entertainment to consumers, but it helps mainstream the industry. As you know, there’s some form of gaming in forty states across the country, so the acceptance of gaming, the normalisation of gaming, is well underway, and I think this brings us one step closer to that again.
Finally, just on a personal note, do you know London well? Are you enjoying your visit?
(laughs) Every time I come here, I feel like I understand the landscape of the city, and then I’m humbled in my experience. I still have a hard time navigating it. I’m told that everywhere is central London, and (laughs) that’s not exactly true, but we’re having a really nice time. I went to my first Premier League game on Saturday, and that was amazing. Definitely a bucket list item that was checked.
Yeah, you’re pretty far on the east side at ExCel, to be honest. We’re not very central here.
I’m at least staying by London Bridge, on that side of town. But we’ve been all over.
Great, I’m glad you enjoyed the match yesterday. Thank you for fitting me in, I really appreciate it!
Sounds good, thank you so much. Take care!
