Industry News for the Day for May 4, 2021

iDEA Growth Member News: 

• IGB, 5.4.21: Catena Media Grows US Portfolio With Lineups.com Acquisition 
  • Affiliate group Catena Media has announced the acquisition of US-facing online sports affiliation business Lineups.com for $39.6m. 
• Wall Street Journal, 5.4.21: Action Network to Be Sold as Sports-Betting Deals Surge 
  • A wave of deal making is afoot in the sports-betting world, as participants ranging from analytics firms to casinos look to cash in on the growing sector. [mentions FanDuel & DraftKings] 

Overall Industry News: 

• Legal Sports Report, 5.3.21: The Week In Sports Betting News: Louisiana Finally Joins The Discussion 
  • Sports betting in Louisiana was approved by voters half a year ago through a referendum. Thanks to a legislature that starts in April, discussions on how the market should look are just starting. 
• Online Poker Report, 5.3.21: Even In The Digital Era, Online Gambling Companies Are Dropping Big Bucks On Good Old-Fashioned TV Ads 
  • One of the challenges that comes with any new business is finding customers. It’s no different for iGaming and online sportsbooks, now that states are increasingly legalizing online gambling and sports betting. That’s why DraftKings and FanDuel are spending more on TV ads than they are on any other marketing channel. 

Maine: 

• Legal Sports Report, 5.4.21: Maine Sports Betting: To Tether Or Not To Tether Mobile Licenses? 
  • The debate around legalizing sports betting in Maine seems like it will come down to an issue the state legislature already decided. There are four sports betting bills active in Maine, which began its first special session last week. The bills introduced Friday in the joint Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee are similar except for one major difference concerning the mobile market. 
• Sports Handle, 5.3.21: Maine Lawmakers Aiming To Please Governor Or Create Veto-Proof Sports Betting Bill 
  • Nearly two years ago, Maine lawmakers crafted a bill that would have made the state a first mover in New England and created one of the most open, competitive sports betting marketplaces at that time.  

Virginia: 

• IGB, 5.4.21: Virginia Sports Betting Handle Surpasses $300m In March 
  • Players in Virginia wagered $304.1m on sports during March, while the six operators in the US state were able to generate $13.8m in adjusted gross revenue for the month. 
• Legal Sports Report, 5.3.21: Virginia Sports Betting Sees Second-Month Bump From College Basketball 
  • Virginia sports betting continued to grow in its second full month. March’s VA sports betting handle reached $304.1 million, according to a Virginia Lottery release Friday. 

Tennessee: 

• Sports Handle, 5.3.21: Tennessee Bill That Would Strip Lottery Of Sports Betting Power Clears House Committee 
  • Tennessee House Bill 1267, which would move sports betting regulatory duties to an entity currently operating underneath the Tennessee Education Lottery, cleared the House Government Operations Committee by an oral vote in super brief hearing Monday. 

Ohio:  

• Sports Handle, 5.3.21: Ohio Sports Betting Bill Will Be Dropping On Thursday, According To The Bill’s Sponsor 
  • Speaking on 1450 WHBC Monday morning, state Sen. Kirk Schuring told host Pam Cook that Thursday will be the day the long-awaited Ohio sports betting bill will be introduced. 

Washington:  

• My Northwest, 5.3.21: Suquamish Tribe Reaches Agreement For Sports Betting Contract In Washington 
  • Sports betting could begin at tribal casinos in Washington state by next fall. The Washington Indian Gaming Association says two tribes — the latest being the Suquamish Tribe — have now reached tentative agreements with the state gambling commission and it expects more agreements in the near future. 

Alabama: 

• AL, 5.4.21: Big Day Ahead On Fate Of Alabama Plan For Lottery, Casinos, Sports Betting 
  • Alabama House committees today will consider a revised version of the plan to allow a lottery, six new casinos, and sports betting in Alabama. 

Louisiana: 

• Daily Advertiser, 5.4.21: Sports Betting In Louisiana May Come In Time For Football Season 
  • FanDuel, the giant wagering platform, confirmed it is on track to provide fantasy sports gambling in Louisiana by the beginning of this year’s football season. 
• KALB, 5.4.21: FanDuel On Track For Sports Gambling In Louisiana By Beginning Of Football Season 
  • FanDuel, the giant wagering platform, confirmed it is on track to provide fantasy sports gambling in Louisiana by the beginning of this year’s football season.