5 August 2020
UNLV International Gaming Institute Publishes Report for Legislators and Regulators
The assessment, “The Big Questions: Sports Wagering in America,” identifies a responsible path forward for U.S. gambling
LAS VEGAS – A series of judiciary and legislative developments have allowed states to determine their own sports wagering policies. The UNLV International Gaming Institute has published a report aimed at informing these states’ decisions, which can be found here (report) and here (infographic).
The 33-page assessment, “The Big Questions: Sports Wagering in America,” poses and answers a broad range of questions faced by legislators and regulators. These include:
- Can sports wagering be legalized and regulated with integrity?
- What are the youth gambling impacts?
- In jurisdictions where sports wagering and/or online gambling is not legalized, what happens in the illegal marketplace?
- Overall, what are Americans’ perceptions of gambling?
The study was sponsored by GVC Foundation US, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible gambling and sports integrity. The major questions set down in the report were co-developed by the IGI and GVC Foundation US. GVC did not see the report prior to publication, ensuring academic and research integrity. The research team anticipates more detailed reports as these issues evolve.
"Our goal in drafting questions for the study was to highlight all major aspects of sports betting--the good, the bad and the ugly,” said Martin Lycka, Trustee of GVC Foundation US and Director of Regulatory Affairs for GVC Holdings. “For sports betting to be the fun, safe, and well-structured enterprise that it's meant to be, our industry needs to commit to honestly presenting its unique components to all regulators and legislators alike."
"We expect to see a surge in the popularity of sports betting as the U.S. acclimates to this ‘new normal.’ As researchers, we want to ensure that this industry is regulated in a way that fosters the socio-economic benefits of gambling while minimizing its harms,” said Bo Jason Bernhard, Executive Director of UNLV IGI. “As always, the IGI seeks to shed academic light on the major debates of the day, bringing together our ‘dream team’ of experienced and multi-disciplinary thinkers to weigh in on the big questions. Today, U.S. policymakers can rely on an independent evaluation that covers a range of key issues, thanks to this first-of-its-kind report.”
ENDS
CONTACT: Nicole Schultz, Communications Coordinator, UNLV International Gaming Institute, nicole.schultz@unlv.edu, (702) 462-1350
About the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute
For more than 25 years, UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) has provided research-based solutions, cutting-edge insights, and executive education to the gaming industry. Described as the “global intellectual capital of gaming” by former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and “The Harvard of Gaming” by Global Gaming Business, IGI houses several excellence initiatives, including the Center for Gaming Innovation, the International Center for Gaming Regulation, the Expanding the Leaderverse initiative, and the Hospitality & Esports Innovation Lab. Each of these addresses a vital need in the global gaming industry, for which the IGI serves as an answer center populated by an internationally recognized dream team of contributors. For more information, please visit igi.unlv.edu.
About GVC Foundation US
GVC Foundation US is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity and corporate compliance in the U.S. The Foundation was launched by the GVC Global Foundation and GVC Holdings PLC (LSE: GVC), one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, operating both online and in the retail sector.