Sports Betting Power Players

Casey Clark is senior vice president at the American Gaming Association. Since the Supreme Court decision invalidating the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, Clark has led the AGA’s efforts to create a sustainable legal sports betting market. He leads a team whose work focuses on defining and promoting industry standards for responsibility, conducting research to understand its impacts and scope, and advancing the position of the legal market.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
We have prioritized getting this opportunity right over speed to market, and that requires consistent focus on responsibility. I hope the next five years will see further market integration and commitment to player education and responsible gaming.

What is your favorite sports team?
Dayton Flyers Basketball.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
Underdog.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
Headed into March Madness 2020, my Dayton Flyers were #3 in the country and my early-season wager on them to win the NCAA Championship was looking like the golden ticket. Never got to cash that ticket, but in my heart, I’m convinced we won it all.

Yankees or Mets?
As a Nationals fan, I have a soft spot for Max Scherzer. But then again, I’m named after Casey Stengal. Hard to choose between these two.

Robert DeSalvio spearheads the New York State operations of Genting Group, which includes overseeing Resorts World Catskills and Resorts World Casino New York City, the only casino in the city. Mr. DeSalvio previously held the position of president of Encore Boston Harbor, where he oversaw a $2.6 billion development project. Prior to that, he served as president of Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem for eight years.

As senior vice president and general manager, Ed Domingo oversees the day-to-day operations of Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Westchester County. Empire City features the largest gaming floor in MGM Resorts’ portfolio of 18 casino resorts nationwide and includes the 123-year-old historic Yonkers Raceway. Domingo served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, before relocating to New York in January 2019.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
Sports betting is expected to grow in a regulated environment and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts looks forward to offering a retail sportsbook as part of our guest experience if we are able to secure a full commercial gaming license.

What is your favorite sports team?
Dallas Cowboys.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
Underdog.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
I bet three different 6-way parlays during March Madness and hit 5 out of 6 on all three.

Yankees or Mets?
Mets – They let me throw out the first pitch!

Michael Dowse has served as executive director and CEO of the United States Tennis Association since October 2019, after spending six years as president of Wilson Sporting Goods, a sports equipment manufacturer. During his time at the USTA, Mr. Dowse successfully implemented a new strategic plan that improved the Association’s financial outlook, promoted the sport of tennis and grew the fan base, and safely organized the U.S. Open despite two consecutive years of the COVID pandemic.

Ian Epstein is the co-founder of PropSwap, the first peer-to-peer marketplace for sports bets. Founded in 2015, PropSwap allows bettors to post their sports bet for sale and be connected with a willing buyer. This gives bettors the opportunity to lock-in a profit before the event is over, while buyers find discounts to the market. Prior to launching PropSwap, Epstein worked at Cantor Gaming in Las Vegas as a risk manager from 2012-2015. Epstein graduated from the University of Arizona and originally hails from Chicago, IL.

What is your favorite sports team?
Chicago White Sox.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
At PropSwap, we always root for the underdog.

Before joining the New York Jets, Jeff Fernandez served as vice president of marketing partnerships for Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500 and as director of marketing partnerships for the Buffalo Bills. In his current role as vice president of business development and ventures, Mr. Fernandez leads his team in developing and executing projects that foster corporate partnerships, drive revenue, and enhance fan engagement.

Griffin is vice president of government affairs and associate general counsel for DraftKings, where he has overseen all government affairs work for the company since 2015. He also advises the business on gaming and regulatory issues. Griffin holds a B.A. in Political Science from Bates College and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
It’s incredible to see how much sports betting has evolved over the past few years, but we’re still in the very beginning stages. I can’t wait to see all of the innovations that come out of the continued expansion over the next five years!

What is your favorite sports team?
I grew up in the Washington, D.C., suburbs, so I root for all of the D.C. teams.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
It’s always more fun when the underdog wins.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
For many years when I would make trips to Las Vegas I would always put a little money on the DC teams to win championships. In 2019 the Nationals won the World Series and I finally won one of those bets!

Yankees or Mets?
Yankees. I lost my father to ALS a few years ago and I have always drawn inspiration from the legacy of Lou Gehrig.

Brad Fischer got his start in government, working in a variety of roles in the New York State Senate, Albany County, and ultimately at the New York State Gaming Commission. After leaving the Commission, Mr. Fischer worked as a regulatory attorney at an international gaming company before helping launch Orrick’s gaming practice. In his current role, he assists clients navigate state laws and regulations, advising them on everything from investments to commercial agreements. In his own words: “I’m just a gaming attorney working hard to make sure every Jets game can still be interesting, even when they are down three touchdowns before the half.”

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
The unrestrained race for customer acquisition will dominate for a short while longer, but the future is operators creating innovations in the customer experience to set them apart from their competitors.

What is your favorite sports team?
I have a sickening co-dependency with the Knicks

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
As a Mets/Knicks/Jets fan, I can’t remember a time I wasn’t rooting for the underdog.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
I live in Saratoga Springs, so it is my civic duty to bet the ponies each summer. Years of doing so have produced absolutely no level of competence, so any time I get the dub is a favorite betting story.

Yankees or Mets?
Mets.

Cory Fox oversees product counseling, licensing and new state launches for FanDuel Group. Cory has been with FanDuel since 2015, when he became FanDuel’s third lawyer. Prior to joining FanDuel, Cory was a policy counsel at the Entertainment Software Association, representing the video game industry before federal regulators. Cory holds a BA from UC Davis, California, and a JD from American University, Washington College of Law.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
The products will become much more intuitive and even more fun. 

What is your favorite sports team?
San Francisco Giants.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
Depends on if they’re from LA, but generally the underdog.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
A friend and I put down a few dollars on the Giants to win the NL pennant when they were down two games to none in the 2012 NLDS. We were thrilled when they came all the way back and won the pennant (and the Series).

Yankees or Mets?
Mookie Wilson came to my little league practice when I was young, so definitely Mets.