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Thirty-six states plus the District of Columbia have allowed sports betting since the May 2018 U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. As a result, legal sportsbooks received over $90 billion in sports wagering handles in 2022, with revenue reaching $7.5 billion. Moreover, betting has gone beyond sporting events; one can now bet on award shows like the Emmys, Oscars, and, soon, WWE matches.
In a CNBC report by Alex Sherman, WWE is having conversations with state gambling representatives in Michigan and Colorado that would allow patrons to bet on scripted matches. Additionally, WWE intends to work closely with EY (Ernst & Young) to secure match results to ensure they are not released to the public. The wrestlers involved would only be privy to the match’s outcome once it is about to start. WWE executives are referencing the betting format with the Oscars to support the safety of betting on scripted matches.
According to Sherman, betting on scripted matches could alter the creative impact of storylines that WWE has produced; however, if betting is allowed for scripted matches, it could introduce the WWE to an entirely different fanbase. Additionally, betting on scripted matches could sweeten the deal for potential buyers with the WWE still up for sale. The WWE will be in talks with potential buyers next month per Sherman.
