Just a reminder, you got it last week, in case you needed another confirmation that we are indeed in the year 2020.
The announcement of the Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences resuming football this year also implies the return of sporting events by the Pac-12.
That marks a change in direction from the previous decision made by both conferences to delay football in mid-August.
The Pac-12’s football season, consisting of six games, commences on November 6th. Following that, college basketball will begin on November 25th.
The MWC’s football season, consisting of eight games, is scheduled to commence on October 24th. Although there is no official confirmation yet, it is widely believed that the conference will proceed with college basketball during the winter.
For now, the Colorado sports betting industry has gained the opportunity to wager on local teams.
Given that it is currently 2020, it is important to note that this situation could potentially change in the future.
David Farahi, the Chief Operating Officer of Monarch Casino and Resort, who oversees the operations of BetMonarch, stated to PlayinСolorado:
College sports undoubtedly hold utmost importance for certain individuals. These individuals are solely invested in the sports or teams from their local area, and these activities are the sole focus of their attention. Therefore, it is crucial to attract a progressive audience.
The CO sports betting market has already seen a positive impact with the comeback of major sports.
The August handle experienced a significant surge due to the comeback of MLB, the NBA, and NHL. With the NFL commencing earlier this month, it is anticipated that the figures will further increase. Despite the Denver Broncos facing a challenging beginning with mounting injuries, placing bets on the Broncos is likely to remain among the highest or near the top in September.
Effects of college football and on Colorado activities gambling
However, what about basketball played in school?
How could the Colorado industry be impacted as a result?
According to Farahi, while there are numerous Cowboys fans residing on the Front Range, there are also viewers who are primarily interested in the universities of Colorado, Colorado State University, the Air Force, and Wyoming.
The resurgence of sports expands the pool of prospective customers who could engage in sports betting.
It is important to note that prop bets on college sports are not allowed in Colorado. This means that any bets based on the performance of a specific player are not permitted. However, there are still numerous betting options available for college football and other sports.
Andrew Mannino, the senior sports content analyst at PointsBet, states that
It is beneficial for bettors when major teams are involved in competitions. The return of the Pac-12 to action is highly anticipated, especially considering the events of this year. Colorado football fans should be excited as they prepare for the upcoming fall season.
The PointsBet / CU agreement is also impacted by the decision.
Although PointsBet has not been launched in Colorado yet, the recent partnership with CU is a significant consequence of the Pac-12’s decision.
There were concerns about how the arrangement would operate, given the postponement of football and basketball.
Despite the absence of spectators at Folsom Field, followers can still benefit from the advantages it offers. Pac – 12 games will not have any supporters present, while personal schools in the MWC will make decisions on allowing spectators based on local and state government guidelines.
The broadcasts featuring popular shows will be a significant advantage for PointsBet.
This involves closely monitoring PointsBet and any prospective customers who show interest in gaining insights about the company, especially upon its launch in Colorado.
In late July 2019, PointsBet made an agreement with Double Eagle Casino in Cripple Creek, marking one of the initial partnership announcements within the state.
As Mannino stated:
Without a doubt, there are fans who would have been devastated to miss out on the entire college betting opportunity. Any Pac-12 team will face challenges in entering the College Football Playoffs (CFP) due to the shortened season and the circumstances of 2020. It has always been a struggle for them to break into the CFP, but with fewer games, it will be even more difficult and will require an exceptional performance to gain national recognition.
Objectives are still high.
Because Colorado has always had sports betting, it is challenging to anticipate the impact that Pac-12 and Mountain West football and basketball will have on the market.
Considering that table tennis has consistently ranked in the top 10 for sports betting revenue since its launch on May 1, it is reasonable to have high expectations.
According to Dan Hartman, the Director of the Colorado Division of Gaming,
Despite the brevity of the playing season, the return of college football is a delightful sight, particularly for our Colorado teams. We are eagerly anticipating the impact of this comeback on future betting activities, as well as how they will align with the traditional sports calendar once sports schedules are back on track.
Farahi was added:
As expected, having more games is always advantageous. It simply means more activity and more points to generate interest. By offering additional activities, it becomes easier to attract bettors. Consequently, it is quite evident that this brings significant benefits.
