The NFL kicks off its 100th season tonight. As it does so, the most popular sport in America sits on the cusp of a major transformation. All the major sports – professional or amateur – do. The games themselves probably won’t change much, but the way we watch and interact with them will.
I’m interested as a sports fan (football is my favorite), and I’m even more interested as an investor because it’s all about the money.
Although the NFL is in its 100th season, it’s only the second season since the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports gambling. Football is the most popular sport to bet on in the United States, with the NBA close behind.
I’ll be the first to admit this trend has unfolded slower than I thought it would a year ago, but profits delayed are not profits denied. In fact, I am more convinced than ever that we can make a lot of money as more states legalize sports betting. It’s very much like the spreading legalization of marijuana.
A Bet Worth Making
It’s not often that the U.S. Supreme Court hands investors a gift – and especially not one worth $150 billion!
But that’s exactly what it did when the judges struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 on May 14, 2018.
Prior to the decision, Nevada was the only state where you could bet. You had to fly to Las Vegas to make your wagers, but even so, that state saw nearly $5 billion wagered annually. Here’s the kicker: That was just 3% of the estimated $150 billion bet illegally through bookies around the country.
Those numbers are critically important. If you can grasp their significance, you’re well on your way to making a fortune in the Great American Sports Betting Boom.
As more states legalize sports gambling, most of that $150 billion bet under the table will make its way into legal channels. That means more tax revenue for states – and more states wanting in on the action. It means increased sales revenue for companies. And it means higher stock prices.
This map shows that sports betting is already legal or being considered in most of the country. Iowa became the 11th state to legalize it last month. It is the first Midwest state to jump on the bandwagon, but it won’t be the only game in town for long. Indiana starts accepting bets this month, and Illinois also approved a bill to allow sports gambling.
New Jersey is the poster child of what’s to come. It was the second state to legalize betting after the Supreme Court decision (Delaware was first), and in the year since, most money has been wagered there and in Nevada. In July, $251 million was wagered in New Jersey on sporting events. That beats any July on record in Nevada.
Just as important, nearly 85% of that money was wagered online. Online betting is the way of the future. It will make sports betting accessible to basically everyone. You won’t even have to get off your couch to place bets.
In addition to spreading legalization, the other major catalyst that will drive sports betting stocks higher will be the mass introduction of in-game gambling. This is the game changer, so to speak. You’ll be able to bet on things like what the next batter will do in a baseball game. Whether your favorite football team will run or pass on the next play. If Joel Embiid will make or miss his next free throw.
The possibilities are practically limitless. Beyond more wagers, it will also lead to increased interaction from fans and be welcomed by teams and leagues as an additional revenue generator. I think we’ll see this hit the big time in the next three to five years. To get an idea of the upside potential, all we have to do is look across the pond. Approximately 80% of all wagers in the U.K. are in-play bets.
Multiple Winners to Come
Sports betting stocks haven’t taken off yet. One I recommend in Investment Opportunities has popped 55% this year, but I was admittedly early. I don’t regret it for a moment. I’d rather be early than late. That’s how you make the huge gains.
If you’re tempted to think lackluster stock performance means diminished potential, that would be a mistake. I’m convinced more than ever there is big money to be made.
Just today, one of the best-known sports bar chains announced a partnership with one of the biggest gaming companies. Buffalo Wild Wings and MGM Resorts (MGM) are teaming up to provide sports gaming opportunities through MGM’s BetMGM digital platform. The first offerings start with tonight’s opener between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
There are a number of players that can take a big piece of the growing sports gambling pie. The most obvious are the casinos that can easily add a sportsbook and attract gamblers who are already on their properties. They also have another advantage because in most states you must have a physical property, such as a casino or racetrack, to obtain a sports gambling license.
Technology is needed to power the gambling experience on land and on mobile. In the coming years, the majority of wagers will be placed via apps, so there are opportunities in companies at the forefront of this technology.
Then there are the bookmakers that have been around for years, many of these overseas. Several are making big moves into the United States as they struggle on their home turf, including one I recommend in Investment Opportunities.
And then there are the leagues and the teams themselves. There are only a few publicly traded sports teams in the U.S., and my favorite has the makings of a big winner.
So since we’re talking about bets, who do you like to win the Super Bowl? My heart is always with the Philadelphia Eagles, and this year I also think they’ll win it all. I may place a wager just for fun, but a lot can happen and I’m marginally confident I would make money on that bet. But I’m very confident I will make money in sports betting stocks in the coming years.
P.S. Sports betting isn’t the only legalization trend that will create explosive wealth. I can tell you – with 100% conviction – that the opportunity to make a small fortune when America legalizes cannabis is truly unprecedented.
To make the most money possible, you’ll need to “get in” before pot is legalized nationally. Once the federal government announces plans for nationwide legalization (which could happen soon), America’s small marijuana stocks could easily turn into big, expensive stocks like Walmart (WMT) or Coca-Cola (KO).
I want to show you how to grab shares of tomorrow’s blue chip pot stocks for pennies today. Click here to learn more and see which stocks you should own today. I want you to see for yourself what is truly at stake for investors.
Matt McCall’s MoneyLine Podcast
Click here to listen to Matt McCall’s MoneyLine podcast! This week, Matt talks about the opening of Costco’s first Chinese store and how the demand for U.S. goods opens up an investment opportunity. He also discusses the market and how the future of batteries will change all things electronic.
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