Final Whistle: Why the NRL is taking its Las Vegas bet

This weekend, the NRL will make its debut in the United States with a doubleheader at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium featuring four teams: South Sydney, Manly, the Brisbane Broncos, and the Sydney Roosters.

The NRL has committed to hosting games in Las Vegas for the next five years, and while some Australians have questioned its decision to go to America, it is clear that it has a long-term plan to promote Rugby League in the world’s largest sports market.

The NRL is also considering integrating Super League clubs in future Las Vegas games, which is an encouraging indication.

Of course, as everyone knows, the NRL’s goal is not just to popularize the game, but also to capitalize on the expanding sports betting industry in the United States, which only recently legalized sports gambling.

Sports betting remains illegal in several American states, but in those where it has been legalized, betting has increased dramatically in a relatively short period of time.

The NFL’s Super Bowl two weeks ago, which was also held at Allegiant Stadium, drew an estimated 68 million US punters, who bet $35 billion on the game.

Inevitably, the NRL’s pursuit of the gambling dollar has sparked criticism from some quarters, with the subject of problem gambling raised. That’s scarcely surprising. However, if the potential cash is available and can be legally created, it’s impossible to fault the NRL for wanting to have a piece of the action in such a large market.

The NRL’s visit to Las Vegas coincides with the annual sporting cycle, with the NFL’s Super Bowl in February, Major League Baseball’s opening day on March 28th, and basketball and ice hockey leagues in the middle of their seasons. The double-header will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1, the major sports TV channel in the US the NRL’s men’s teams.

For example, women’s sports are becoming increasingly important in America, as they are in many other nations across the world, and I’m sure Americans would be thrilled to see women participating in this most physical of games.

Sydney Roosters owner Nick Politis sees the possibility for bringing the women’s game to America.

“Nick remarked, ‘You’ve got a unique scenario with the women’s game. “Why wouldn’t you take a women’s game to America?,” NRL Chairman Peter V’landys is quoted as saying.

“That would elevate our game to a new level, especially given how good they are.

“The other one we’re going to look at is the Super League itself, because our research has indicated that the majority of travellers are English.

“To take a Super League game there, as well, would generate a lot more people coming from England to the US.”

I am confident that is correct.

If this year’s World Club Challenge game had been the second game of a double header, say with St Helens or Catalans Dragons against the Brisbane Broncos in the first, I believe we would have seen hundreds of British or French fans follow their team to Sin City.

There will be an American 9s competition leading up to the double-header event, but I’d like to see a game between the US national team and a suitable opponent, such as Jamaica or Canada, as part of the event.

It is critical to persuade Americans, who may be playing our game for the first time, that they have some stake in the outcome.

But, before then, will a young sensation like Brisbane’s Reece Walsh turn them on, as Elvis Presley did 60 years ago?

Let us hope they are.