According to CNBC, WWE is in talks with Colorado and Michigan to legalize betting on high-profile matches. The report notes that WWE is working with accounting firm EY to secure scripted match results so that there’s no chance of the results leaking to the public according to people who asked not to be named.
It was noted that PwC and EY, also known as Ernst & Young, have worked with notable shows such as the Academy Awards and the Emmys to keep results a secret. WWE executives have cited betting on the Oscars as a template to convince regulators that the idea of betting on matches could be safe.
Even if regulators decided to move forward with the idea betting companies would still have to decide if they would be willing to allow bets to be placed on WWE matches and those discussions have not been had yet. WWE declined to comment and a spokesperson from EY could not be reached for comment on the situation.
The report notes that allowing betting on match results would change how WWE storylines are created as WWE executives have proposed that results would have to be locked in months ahead of time. Wrestlers would not know whether or not they would be winning or losing until shortly before the match takes place according to people familiar with the situation. An example given was that WWE could lock in the result of the WrestleMania main event months ahead of time based on the Royal Rumble script.
Betting on the match could take place between the Royal Rumble and up to days, or hours before the WrestleMania main event when the wrestlers would then learn of the result. It was added the legalized betting on matches could significantly alter creative storylines.
