Now the neon signs will probably soon be flashing “Come for the game, stay for the gambling”. Or vice versa.
With the ongoing expansion of legalized gambling, professional sports teams and leagues have already begun incorporating gambling opportunities to place bets as part of the fan experience with Real Madrid now courting Lady Chance in a big way by building a casino as part of its renovated stadium.
When completed, the revamped Santiago Bernabeu will essentially be a full-service entertainment center besides being the home base for the famous LaLiga football giants playing their home games. Construction on the stadium, which originally opened in 1947, is scheduled to for the summer of 2022 and will also feature ancillary facilities and attractions like a swanky restaurant, museum, and event space.
Well, this is certainly a foolproof – albeit ethically debatable – way to offset the debilitating effects of the Covid pandemic and create additional lucrative revenue streams.