2017 Oxford study on US sports betting revisited – how many will gain?

With the legalisation of sports betting in the USA, it’s not just bookmakers that stand to gain.

An Oxford study from May of 2017 discussed “indirect” beneficiaries of legalised sports betting — affiliated industries — and it has some insight into contemporary developments.

The May 2017 study out of Oxford University (“Economic Impact of Legalized Sports Betting”) discussed the economic impact that sports betting could have on the United States. At the time, the authors of the study didn’t know what the tax rates would be like for sports betting in the USA. However, they were able to offer an estimation of how sports betting would affect Gross Domestic Product.

The May 2017 Oxford Economics study noted, “is expected to contribute $22.4 billion to US GDP.”

This same source talked about the “indirect” beneficiaries of sports betting. They stated that there would be $7 billion of indirect labor income and 129,852 indirect and induced jobs are expected to be supported.

There are already companies in the United States offering fantasy-sports services. For example, Rotowire offers fantasy-sports players depth charts for NBA basketball teams.

When a player is out for a game these depth charts will show who among the fit-to-play players is likely to gain in minutes played. That, in turn, can have insight for statistics that accrue fantasy points.

In more-contemporary news, the NBA has tried to market itself as a must-have for sports bettors when it comes to offering statistics and official data. Those charged with providing this service could be seen as “indirect” beneficiaries of sports betting: they won’t offer betting lines themselves, but will still profit from their existence.

Importantly, some of the companies that might be able to benefit from sports betting need not be based in a jurisdiction where sports betting is legalised. If you are selling information bettors can access it via the worldwide web.

Since selling information isn’t the same as offering sports betting, companies that provide injury updates can operate even in an American state where the legalisation of sports betting is facing a stall.

Additionally, someone who writes about sports might be of interest to sports bettors. He/she can write from a region where sports betting is illegal and yet still draw attention from punters who are betting legally elsewhere.

The $22.4 billion GDP estimation may be difficult to assess. Certainly, that some states are not enthusiastic about legalising sports betting as quickly as possible could be a barrier to achieving that target. However, the ultimate impact in the years ahead for sports writers, report providers, and even the casual laborers at casinos will be interesting to note.