Published
Sports Betting

Boston Red Sox CEO: Legalised sports betting will engage MLB fans

Boston Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy believes legalised US sports betting’s main impact will be increased fan engagement.

BostonRedSox

According to Kennedy, the "positive revenue impact" for the MLB team is "absolutely secondary" to a greater level of interest in the sport as a result of wagering.

He told the Boston Herald: "Yes, there will be a positive revenue impact for the team – how much I don’t know – but that is absolutely secondary in my opinion to the engagement, to people following, paying attention, being engaged with the Boston Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics as a result of betting on that sport and betting on in-game activities."

Kennedy thinks in-play betting in particular will drive interest in matches where the overall scoreline is too one-sided to engage neutrals.

Kennedy also highlighted the necessity of regulating sports betting, having heard estimates the illegal US sports betting market is currently worth between $75bn and $150bn per year.

He said: "If there’s a game that’s 10-1 in the seventh inning, people might tune out but the thought is now you’ll stay in, watching, because you’re engaging in betting on the outcome of what may happen.

"That’s happening today, it’s just in illegal fashion with non-licensed, non-regulated betting providers – off-shore or in other countries. The regulation is important; there is nothing more important to the Commissioner and the leagues than the integrity of the game. Players, front office members will not be allowed to engage in these activities. The general public will."

Premium+ Connections
Premium

Imagine Live

 
Premium

1xBet Partners

 
 
Premium

RISK

 
 
Premium

Galaxsys

 
Premium

Digitain

 
Premium

Sport Generate

 
Premium

Lynon

 
Premium Connections
Consultancy

SCCG Management

Executive Profiles
Scientific Games

Keshav Pitani

Esportes Gaming Brasil

Ana Carolina Luna Maçães

LeoVegas

Mattias Wedar

Kalshi

Sara Slane

Follow Us

Taking stock: Counting on crypto

Gambling Insider tracks the value of the biggest cryptocurre...

In focus: MiFinity

A trusted payments partner for the iGaming industry....

Panel: LatAm and crypto lead the way

During the SBC Summit Americas in Florida, executives from N...

In focus: Spayz.io

Payments that actually work for iGaming operators…...

A welcome from your host

A message from the Founder of the Global Gaming Awards and G...

From the Lead Partner

A message from BetConstruct - Lead Partner of the Global Gam...

The year in review

The Event Manager of the Global Gaming Awards reviews the mo...

Casino Operator of the Year 2025

We present to you the 2025 Shortlist for the Casino Operator...