"Sports betting without live sports" webinar explored the sports betting environment in US

The webinar counted with the participation of the speakers: Seth Young, Chief Innovation Office, PointsBet, Keith McDonnell, CEO, kmigaming.com, David McDowell, CEO, FSB Technology and Brandt Iden, State Representative, Michigan.

The issues treated were:

• What events are we talking about as the sporting season is starting for a number of sports
• Retail-only vs. mobile – projected effect on the revenue
• Role of media outlets in expanding the wagering offering to create even more engagement and increase viewership
• Impact on odds/lines with empty venues
• Impact on advocacy efforts for mobile sports wagering

With regard to the operators, Dave Mc Dowell , CEO , FSB, said that the biggest change with virtual sports was changing the users experience. He also said: "It is important for casino content providers to constantly change and rotate their contents. He added that operators have to "try to really understand and determine the affordability of customers and try to build more reports."

He also remarked that operators have added more virtual sports content and new reports and staff training for spotting safe concerns.

With regard to suppliers, Mc Dowell commented that ATP/IMG announced a ATP branded virtual tennis product, but added that it is very difficult for suppliers to create anything new in the short term.

He then talked about the reaction of regulators in different countries:
In UK, GC immediately sent a letter to operators telling them to be extra vigilant with safe gaming obligations, and warning them not to use Covid-19 in any advertising campaigns.

In Spain, there was a gaming advertising ban in place until April 12.
Nevada, on the other hand, approved wagers on virtual NASCAR events, and Belgium introduced 500 Euro cap in weekly deposits.

In Sports and Media, he gave several data: 4.8 million people watched the Virtual Grand National, 900,000 watched eNascar iRacing event with pro drivers racing and 500,000 watched virtual boxing (WBSS) based on two computers playing EA Fight Night Champion.

Panel Discussion

Speakers talked about how pandemics is going to accelerate the regulatory issues in different states.

Keith Mc Donnell said: "This is a localization challenge. This is new for everybody. The pandemic. What motivates a gambler? There are big differences between the East and the West. We find that gambling in Asia is an activity itself. Asian operatos have been quick to create content. Social responsibility is important. In the West (UK, Europe, US) Sportsbetting is something that a lot of people do to enhance their sports experience. It is more difficult for operators to create new experiences. I think we have to give something to customers to keep them engaged."

Brand Iden, from the State of Michigan, has a different perspective. "We are very interested in the sportsbetting legislation in the state." He then wondered if consumers are interested in going to casinos and added that they are working with regulators. He commented that the state needs to capture some of those revenues and that they have to take time to work on all the issues related to online gaming legislation.

Seth Young said that everybody misses sports. He added that they are now focusing on technology and that they have been working with the regulators.
Then they spoke about the sportsbooks situation in the different states of US. Keith Mc Donnell remarked that it is a real opportunity for e-sports.

Iden commented that the US market is far behind the European market, and said that they are in a new situation, which is overwhelming. "There will be more leaders to come, but I don't think that we can do it so fast," he said.
Besides, Seth Young said that there will be some questions or concerns over football. "How will be college games will be impacted on sports betting," he asked, and Iden answered that this pandemic will change college sports betting in the long run.

"A lot of states don't realize how many revenues they obtain from online gaming until they don't have taxes," said Young, who added: "All in agreement legislation should hurry to adapt to the current situation."