Arizona Cardinals owner set to discuss legal sports betting at G2E

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is set to headline the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) final keynote. As the first NFL executive to deliver a keynote at the conference, Bidwill will discuss the convergence of legal sports betting and professional sports.

As the expo, presented by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and organized by RX (Reed Exhibitions), prepares itself for its return to Las Vegas from Oct. 4-7, final details and features are being presented. Cards on the Table: A Conversation with Arizona Cardinals’ Michael Bidwill will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 1 PM, announced G2E.

“The expansion of legal sports betting is deepening fan engagement and driving new business opportunities for sports leagues and teams,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “I look forward to welcoming Michael to the G2E keynote stage to hear his unique perspective on the dynamic, evolving sports landscape.”

Get ready to touch down for @AZCardinals' Owner & President, Michael Bidwill’s Keynote at #G2E2021!🏈

We can’t wait to have him join @AmericanGaming's @BillMillerAGA to discuss sports betting & pro sports, their @PlayAtGila partnership, & more! Register➡️ https://t.co/xNDbIh70uE pic.twitter.com/c6FNg7WQ1V

— Global Gaming Expo (@G2Eshows) September 27, 2021

The keynote, which will feature a discussion between Bidwill and Miller, will examine the thinking behind the team’s recently-announced sports betting partnership with Gila River Hotels & Casino and BetMGM, the important role of responsibility in sports betting, and what’s next as legal sports betting matures.

“Cardinals fans are very passionate, and the launch of legal sports betting in Arizona provides a new and innovative way to interact with them,” said Bidwill. “With our partners at Gila River Hotels & Casino and BetMGM, we are excited to bring this emerging market to Arizona.”

The Cards on the Table with Bill Miller series features one-on-one discussions with gaming’s top leaders, from casino and sportsbook operators to gaming suppliers, on how they navigated COVID-19 and gaming’s road to recovery.

The final keynote featuring Bidwill comes as recent AGA research found that, following expanded sports betting legalization and high fan enthusiasm for the season, a record 45.2 million Americans (18%) will wager on this year’s NFL season.

The number shows a 36% increase from the 2020 NFL season. Legal sports betting is now live in 26 states and Washington, DC. Since 2019, when G2E was last held in Las Vegas, the number of operational markets has doubled, and 13 additional states have legalized sports betting.

Sports wagering launched in Arizona on September 9, with the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) allocating 18 of 20 sports-betting licenses available to 10 tribes and eight sports organizations.

G2E’s return as an in-person event has implemented vaccine requirement and masking protocols for all show participants in order to provide a safe experience.