San Diego State University announced this week the launch of a sports betting-focused academy.
The Institute on Sports Wagering and Gaming will fall under the school’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. It will involve several aspects of sports betting, including education, engagement, regulation, research, and behavior.
Two nearby schools also have gaming institutes that explore different areas of sports betting: the University of Nevada Las Vegas and University of Nevada. Seton Hall in New Jersey has a graduate-level gaming curriculum for law students.
Institute to explore all aspects
The new institute is poised to take advantage of the current sports betting boom in the US. It's now legal in nearly 40 states.
In a press release announcing the Institute on Sports Wagering and Gaming (ISWAG), the school said the institute will also look at the repercussions of sports betting.
“ISWAG will also serve as a collaborative space for faculty and departments across SDSU to explore the cultural and health implications of sports wagering. With the sports betting industry expanding across the US and globally, the ISWAG is uniquely positioned to offer research informed guidance at a time of unprecedented growth and public attention.”
SDSU assistant professor of experiential marketing Dr. Brandon Mastromartino will lead ISWAG. His research has focused on consumer behavior of sports fans and bettors, and gathering insights to support sports organizations and their partners, along with gaming operators and regulators, per his website.
His education includes a Master of Science and doctorate in Sport Management & Policy from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts in Media & Communications from the University of Western Ontario.
In addition to its general studies, ISWAG will offer “certificate programs, student research opportunities, and executive education offerings to build capacity across the sector,” according to the SDSU website.
“We aim to empower stakeholders, enhance consumer protection, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the global sports wagering industry.”
Sports betting still illegal in California
SDSU is a prominent university in California with an enrollment around 40,000. Interestingly, the state where SDSU resides, California, has not legalized sports betting.
Mastromino explained the goal of the institute in the school's announcement.
“Our goal is to provide timely, evidence-based insights that inform industry best practices, responsible gaming strategies, and public policy conversations—all while creating new educational pathways for students and professionals.”
There was a strong attempt to legalize sports betting in California in 2022. However, two measures, Propositions 26 and 27, both failed to generate enough support from voters.
Additionally, Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) last Thursday issued an opinion that said daily fantasy sports are illegal under California law. Reportedly, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) does not share that view.
Sports betting cannot be legalized in the Golden State until 2026 at the earliest. Native tribes enjoy exclusivity to the retail casino market and are expected to play a major role in the eventual legalization of sports betting. The tribes haven’t shown any urgency to bring sports betting to the state.