iGaming Business – Lawrence Epstein, the executive vice-president and chief operating officer of mixed martial arts organisation the Ultimate fighting Championship (UFC), has backed an expansion of legalised sports betting in the US.

In an interview with ESPN, Epstein said an expansion of this market would enhance rather than hurt sports and give fans more confidence that contests are not fixed.

“I think it will enhance the game as opposed to doing anything to hurt it,” Epstein said.

“Sports wagering done in a way, like Nevada, that is properly regulated will give more confidence to fans that games and fights aren’t fixed.”

Epstein’s comments come after Adam Silver, commissioner of North America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) league, in September predicted that widespread sports betting legalisation in the US is inevitable and that a regulated market would help the competition.

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