A historic NBA sports betting deal with MGM Resorts is a significant turnabout. Finding common ground between the major sports leagues and the sports betting world has been a little like looking for hens’ teeth. Since PASPA was ‘ceremoniously’ dismantled back in May, the leagues have searched long and hard for a willingness on the part of the industry and state law makers to agree to a one per cent integrity fee. Those calls have hitherto been met with a fractious blend of derision and outright cynicism. Only New York conceded to such an arrangement, but missed its legislative deadline…

The idea of legalizing sports betting has been floated for years with no imminent change in sight, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver remains optimistic of a change that would make betting legal in the not-so-distant future. According to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, Silver says he senses that it could happen “in the next few years” in the United States. “People want to bet throughout the game,” Silver added. “It results in enormous additional engagement with the fans.” Although this may sound like groundbreaking news in terms of a push to legalize sports betting, Silver has long been…