Buffalo Wild Wings Is Looking Into Letting Customers Place Bets On Sporting Events

Buffalo Wild Wings is exploring ways to allow its patrons to place bets on sporting events inside its restaurants.

According to ESPN, citing a report by Las Vegas publication Gaming Today, Buffalo Wild Wings is looking at how it can get sports betting into its restaurants.

This move comes after the Supreme Court passed a ruling in May easing the federal ban on legal betting outside of Las Vegas. States such as Delaware, Mississippi, and New Jersey have already allowed legal sports betting since the ruling.

"As the largest sports bar in America, we believe Buffalo Wild Wings is uniquely positioned to leverage sports gaming to enhance the restaurant experience for our guests," a Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson said in a statement to ESPN on Wednesday. "We are actively exploring opportunities, including potential partners, as we evaluate the next steps for our brand."

However, Buffalo Wild Wings will likely need help getting into the sports betting business by partnering with a group that already has a presence in the field as licensing requirements for betting differs in each state.

The move comes as the company has suffered turbulent financial times in recent years. In a letter to shareholders in May 2017, Buffalo Wild Wings CEO Sally Smith blamed the company's misfortune on its lack of younger patrons and fewer viewers watching sports on television.

"Millennial consumers are more attracted than their elders to cooking at home, ordering delivery from restaurants and eating quickly, in fast casual or quick-serve restaurants," she said. "Mall traffic has slowed. And, surprisingly, television viewership of sporting events (important for us, especially) is down."

In an effort to drive up sales, the Minneapolis-based company turned to a new format and launched its B-Dubs Express concept in July. The smaller restaurants focus on faster counter service with self-serve alcohol stations.

In February, Buffalo Wild Wings was bought by restaurant chain Arby’s in an all-cash deal worth $2.9 billion, according to CNN Money. Roark Capital, a private equity firm, owns a majority stake in Arby’s. It also has a stake in other food chains such as Jimmy John's, Auntie Anne's, and Carvel.