The intersection between the gambling industry and media was a huge topic at Betting On Sports America – Digital, day 1. It merited serious conversation, not only in the opening discussion, but in another panel dedicated entirely to recent deals made between cable networks and large operations.

In the opening interview between William Hill U.S. CEO Joe Asher and Howard Stutz, Executive Editor of CDC Gaming Reports, Asher emphasized that media attention doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if the product can’t hold the customer’s attention. “Fundamentally we’re investing a lot of money around technology and the product. In my view, over time, product is going to win in this market. And it’s going to be about who has got the most compelling product.

He expanded on that thought, explaining how media affects can wear off, but also how they help tremendously:

“Promotional activity wanes over time – product is going to be so critically important. And so we’ve been investing a tremendous amount in product. But then you need a way to get that product into the hands of customers. And what do the media companies have? They have customers. They have folks who watch their platforms, go on their sites and so forth and that’s why you’re seeing these media sports betting deals. “