Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis says he's 'not a fan' of sports gambling amid prediction market boom

Las Vegas Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis may run his business in America's gambling capital, but he's not a fan of sports betting.

In an interview with CNBC Sports' Michael Ozanian, Davis expressed his concerns about the rapid expansion of sports gambling, particularly proposition bets, which are wagers on specific events during a game that aren't necessarily tied to the eventual outcome. Davis said that the growing sports gambling industry could threaten the integrity of pro sports.

"I'm not a fan per se of gambling on sports, especially the one-on-ones, the proposition types of betting," Davis said.

Davis said protecting the integrity of the game should remain the top priority for professional sports leagues, even as gambling partnerships generate significant revenue.

"I think the key thing is the integrity of the game," he said.

The comments come as professional sports leagues grapple with the rapid growth of prediction markets, which allow users to trade contracts tied to the outcomes of sporting events.

The NFL has taken a more cautious approach than some of the other pro sports leagues. While the league has embraced sports betting, it has declined to enter into official partnerships with prediction market operators amid concerns about regulation and the integrity of competition.

"We think that there needs to be stronger regulations into the predictive markets," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told CNBC Sport in September. "We don't feel like we have to be first in this. We feel like we're going to be right. And the best thing to do is to be patient and make sure that you keep the integrity of the game number 1."

The league filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in October, arguing that prediction markets are gambling and should be regulated by states.

"People have to believe in the game," Davis said. "Is it worth the risk? I don't know. I can't answer that."

Davis helped bring the first NFL franchise to Las Vegas when he moved the Raiders there from Oakland in 2020. He said he remembers a time when the NFL took a much harder stance against gambling.

"I remember growing up that there was a big sign in the locker room as you walked out that door that said, 'No gambling whatsoever,' or there's suspension or you're out of the league," he said.

The longtime sports owner has not completely shied away from sports gambling. Both the Raiders and Aces are partners with BetMGM and Davis said MGM Resorts' CEO Bill Hornbuckle was instrumental in his purchasing the Aces.

He acknowledged the financial benefits of gambling but said leagues must weigh the revenue against the potential risks.

"The revenue that is coming from gambling and those types of entities is large so there has to be a balance between integrity and what the good things that it can bring to the league," he said.

As gambling and prediction markets continue to proliferate, Davis said his focus remains on athletes and competition.

"I'm more worried about the game on the field," Davis said. "People ask, 'What do you think you're going to win by,' I said, 'I just want to win by one point.'"

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