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The NBA is concluding a brief experiment today on its digital telecast platforms. But one professional observer sees it as more of abeginning than an ending.

Today's Indiana-Houston game, a 4 p.m. Eastern start, is the last of nine games made available on what the league calls NBABetStream, a telecast that can be accessedthrough NBA League Pass, NBA TV with the NBA app and NBA.com via the NBAs direct to consumer subscription. In-game graphics overlayed on the screen show constantly changing live in-gamepointspreadsand totals, including halves and quarters. Betting analysis also is included. MGM is providing the real-time lines under the aegis of itsBetMGMonline sportsbooks.

The NBA has kind of always been at the forefront of sports betting among major sports leagues, said ChrisAltruda, national sports betting industry expert for PennBets.com. Because theyve been at the front of this, theyre more willing to embrace sports betting. I think for both sides its a feeling-out process.

Prior to the game, the current lines and starting time are displayed, along with, Altruda said, any special parlays BetMGM might be offering with other games.

Obviously, saysAltruda,BetMGMwould prefer that bettors give the action to their sportsbook. Still,Altrudasaid, more than anything else, the graphics are a gateway for the sports bettor. They see them and maybe it spurs them to bet on the game, whether they do it throughBetMGMor a different online sportsbook. You're sustaining the viewers attention with the constantly updating lines.

You start to think whether or not you (want to) make that bet,Altrudacontinued. I think most bettors who are doing this are the savvier brand of bettors, so I think theres line shopping going on. It's the challenge of going against the book and doing it in real time.

Altrudawas asked if he could he could envision a day when such gambling information would be displayed not on a digital telecast, but on a national cable or over-the-air telecast.

Oh,absolutely, he replied. Close is not the right term, but on the horizon would be a better term.

Individual NBA franchises already are embracing legalized sports betting in a big way, with developments in recent weeks. William Hill U.S. opened a temporary sportsbook on July 31 at Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards. The permanent sportsbook there is expected to be completed by thefall.

On Aug. 6, the Indiana Pacers announced that sportsbookPointsBethad become their official gamingpartner.

I think this is going to become the norm and not the exception in the coming year or two,Altrudasaid of such partnerships.

Original post:

NBA Out Front With Gamblers, Providing In-Game Odds On Screen - Forbes