By Briana Whitney | 3TV/CBS 5
One of the major teams here that would benefit from legal sports betting in Arizona is the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team calls it an opportunity that also comes responsibility. Play ball! And maybe make a bet on it too.
Senate passes bill that legalizes sports betting in Arizona, heads to Ducey’s desk
“It’s something that can be watched, it can be monitored, it can be regulated, and the state can also benefit from it,” said Arizona Diamondbacks CEO and President Derrick Hall.
Hall is excited about this likely opportunity after the Arizona Senate passed the sports betting bill Monday night, leaving just a signature from the governor to make it legal. “It gives fans something to do before, after the game, and then in the game, the mobile interaction certainly helps too, so I think it could have an impact on attendance too I would hope,” he said.
But Hall also understands the accountability leagues and teams need to have moving forward. “We have to make sure we have measures in place and that we’re certainly educating fans so that they’re gaming responsibly. I do think that’s on us,” Hall said.
He said they’re going to work closely with their operators to make sure warning signs are in place as well as other safeguards. “They’ve told us that there are ways for them to really red flag overuse in their opinion,” he said.