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Early in 2019, it was reported that the Cubs invested into the Action Network, a sports betting media outlet, but that was just a small step into the gambling word compared to what’s coming in the future on the North Side of Chicago.
According to ESPN’s David Purdum, the Cubs are in early discussions of having a sportsbook at Wrigley Field.
Via ESPN.
The Chicago Cubs have considered opening a sportsbook at Wrigley Field and at locations just outside of the Friendly Confines, multiple sources familiar with the team’s thinking told ESPN. Betting windows, automated kiosks and even a full-blown sportsbook venue inside the stadium are among the options that have been considered by the Cubs and other Chicago professional franchises, as Illinois prepares to put it new sports gambling law into effect.
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Again, these plans aren’t close to being finalized, but with Illinois legalizing sports gambling, it’s only a matter of time before the Cubs fully dive into this giant revenue stream.
As of now MLB prohibits sportsbooks in their stadiums, but as long as the league gets a cut of the money you know it will be allowed in the future.
“We will work with our clubs to explore the opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving sports betting landscape in a socially responsible manner,” a spokesperson for MLB told ESPN in a statement.
Although sports gambling has been legalized in several states during the past year, the Cubs could still be in a unique position to be one of the first MLB teams to have a sportsbook.
Just one more advantage the Cubs may have in upcoming years, as the team continues to try and find more revenue streams. A sportsbook would be a huge money-maker.
“Look, Wrigley Field draws people year round,” Vic Salerno, founder of sportsbook operator US Bookmaking and a member of UNLV’s Gaming Hall of Fame, told ESPN. “It’s going to be a great location for them.”
Asked if he thought it would be feasible for the Cubs to open a sportsbook by next baseball season, Salerno said, “Oh, yeah. For sure.”
The Cubs will also debut their new TV network in 2020. Crane Kenney has already said the front office will have more resources to spend because of it.
