Sports Betting Power Players

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J. Gary Pretlow

Chairman of Racing and Wagering Committee, New York State Assembly

J. Gary Pretlow represents the 89th Assembly District, which includes Mount Vernon and Yonkers, and he has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 1992.

In the State Assembly, Gary serves as Chairman of the Committee on Racing and Wagering, a committee that he has served on since coming into office and which he was appointed Chairman of in 2004. He is also a member of the Assembly Ways and Means, Rules, Codes, Insurance, and Assembly Steering Committees. In addition, Gary is a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, the New York State Senate and Assembly Hispanic Task Force, and Treasurer of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc.

Among the many significant pieces of legislation Assemblyman Pretlow helped enact into law in the Racing and Gaming space, he is proudest of the enactment of Video Lottery Terminals (VLT) in the State of New York.

“If the VLTs didn’t come in 2004, I really doubt racing would be here,” said Chris Riegle, the president of Finger Lakes Gaming and Racing, the only upstate thoroughbred track outside of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. He also commented, “I don’t think there would be very many harness tracks in New York.”

Jeff Gural, the owner of Tioga Downs in the Southern Tier and Vernon Downs in central New York stated, “It definitely saved racing; it saved the jobs.”

Mr. Pretlow also proudly sponsored the law that legalized and implemented consumer protections for interactive fantasy sports in 2016, and was one of the driving forces behind the authorization of mobile sports wagering in the 2021-22 state budget.

A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Gary is also a member of the Black Democrats of Westchester and a member of the St. Joseph’s Lodge #PHA.

Assemblyman Pretlow is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades in honor of his work on behalf of the people of the State of New York.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
Over the next 5 years I believe sports betting will grow exponentially; prior to the legalization, over $10 billion was wagered from New York illegally. If just 50% of those bettors transition to legal sports betting in New York, we will truly become the sports betting capital of the world.

What is your favorite sports team?
I used to root for the Mets, but after determining they didn’t want to win I switched to the Yankees – at least they make an effort to be winners.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
I have no preference for the underdog or the favorite. I generally root for the home team. With regards to betting it depends on the point spread.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
I’m not a big bettor, but my favorite betting story is that I was the first person to place a legal bet in the state of New York. The plan was for myself, another assembly member and the mayor of Schenectady to place bets simultaneously, but while people were posing for a group photo I turned around and placed a bet before they had a chance to. That became an AP story.

Yankees or Mets?
Definitely the Yankees.

Marc Ratner

Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, UFC

Marc Ratner has been the senior vice president of regulatory affairs for the UFC since 2006, and was appointed to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016 and the UFC Hall of Fame in 2020. His career began when he joined the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 1985, where he quickly rose through the ranks and was designated the executive director in 1992. He has been instrumental in the development and expansion of the UFC, and is particularly known for his efforts to legalize and regulate professional MMA in New York, a bill passed by the New York State Legislature in 2016.

Jason Robins

Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, DraftKings

Jason Robins has held the position of CEO of DraftKings since co-founding the company in December 2011, and also serves as chairman of the board. He is responsible for building partnerships, as well as managing the company’s strategy and operations. Under Mr. Robins’ tenure, DraftKings has worked with legislators and policymakers to regulate sports betting, including online gaming and fantasy sports. DraftKings is one of only nine operators to have received a mobile sports wagering license by the New York State Gaming Commission.

Chris Schlosser

Senior Vice President of Media, MLS

Chris Schlosser is an experienced leader who is focused on creating new revenue and fan development opportunities for the League. Schlosser runs the digital business for Major League Soccer, overseeing the League’s digital channels, content and technology partnerships, sports betting and emerging business ventures. Through Schlosser’s leadership, MLS has experienced significant growth in revenue and audience size, while providing fans with access to leading edge technology and extensive content about the League.

Richard Schwartz

CEO, BetRivers

In 2012, Richard Schwartz co-founded Rush Street Interactive, which currently operates the BetRivers Sportsbook in New York. He was named chief executive officer in August 2021 after serving as president since the company’s inception. Previously, Richard started and led WMS Industries, which in 2010 launched the award-winning UK-facing online casino business, Jackpot Party. Richard has been a leader and innovator in the gaming industry for over 20 years and has a deep appreciation for player psychology. Prior to joining the gaming industry, Richard was an executive at Telecom Italia Lab USA and an intellectual property attorney in Silicon Valley.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
In-game betting, where bets are made on events that occur during the game, will become dominant with over 80% of all bets. The fast adoption of in-game betting will be helped by the wider availability of sports events being live-streamed directly onto the BetRivers Sportsbook apps so bettors can bet while they watch. Ironically, this will reverse the current trend of having second screens when watching sports as two screens will converge back to a single screen on a mobile phone.

What is your favorite sports team?
Raiders.

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

Yankees or Mets?
Dodgers, but loved the 1986 Mets.

Danny Shader

Founder and CEO, PayNearMe

Danny Shader is the CEO of PayNearMe, which offers real-time financial transaction services to lenders, property managers, and other businesses. PayNearMe processes billions of dollars annually and has expanded to support every form of payment. Before founding PayNearMe in 2009, Mr. Shader revived Good Technology, Inc., which was then acquired by Motorola. He also co-founded Accept.com, the first consumer-to-consumer payment services company.

Adam Silver

Commissioner, NBA

Adam Silver was appointed NBA commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014. Prior to becoming commissioner, Silver served as NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer for eight years. Silver presides over a global sports and media organization built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League. The leagues are dedicated to growing basketball around the world, embracing innovation and new technologies, increasing transparency and using basketball to bring people together and promote health and fitness.

Dan Spillane

Senior Vice President of League Governance and Policy, NBA

Dan Spillane joined the NBA in 2007 and currently serves in the position of Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, League Governance and Policy. Spillane is responsible for a wide range of NBA legal and policy matters, including areas relating to gambling and sports betting as well as litigation, rules compliance, and the league’s revenue sharing program. Before joining the NBA, Spillane was an attorney at the New York law firm of Debevoise and Plimpton LLP.

Evan Stavisky

Partner, The Parkside Group

One of the Northeast’s best known political and legislative strategists, Evan Stavisky has guided countless high-stakes electoral and government relations campaigns, including leading the effort to bring mobile sports betting to New York. On behalf of DraftKings, FanDuel, the MLB, the NBA, and the PGA Tour, Evan ran a complex, multiyear public affairs campaign that brought together key stakeholders and incorporated polling, advertising, earned media, grassroots organizing, and direct lobbying of key policymakers in support of the legislation.

How will sports betting evolve in the next five years?
This industry is in its infancy. As it evolves, we should expect to see the dominant US operators expand their reach overseas and new startups enter the US market.

What is your favorite sports team?
The New York Yankees.

Do you root for the underdog or the favorite-to-win?
I root for anyone playing the Red Sox or Eagles to win.

If you like to wager, what is your favorite betting story?
I was in Las Vegas for both Giants Super Bowl victories over the Patriots. When they sacked Brady in the end zone for a safety in the second game, I was thrilled as a Giants fan, but extra excited because the safety paid 9-1.

Yankees or Mets?
The Yankees always!

Keith Wachtel

Chief Business Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, NHL

Keith Wachtel is responsible for all revenue-generating initiatives for the NHL. He leads all global corporate partnership efforts for the NHL and assumes P&L responsibility across numerous business areas. Wachtel has driven more than $1 billion in revenue to the League and its Clubs, negotiating more than 55 League partners across North America and globally. Wachtel has been a driving force in the NHL’s progressive approach to sports betting, securing 10 sports betting partnerships to date.