Industry News of the Day for April 21, 2021

iDEA Growth Member News:  

• Legal Sports Report, 4.21.21: Analysis: DraftKings Migration Issues In NH Show Another Monopoly Downside 
  • DraftKings recently kicked off a nationwide migration to its own platform, starting in New Hampshire. A spokesperson confirmed the company had “begun testing our technologies in various markets,” notably in the past two weeks. The full migration process to SBTech technology is on track to complete by the end of the third quarter of 2021. 
• SBC, 4.20.21: Professional Fighters League Signs DraftKings As Official Sportsbook And Daily Fantasy Partner 
  • DFS and sports betting firm DraftKings has been designated as the Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) today as part of a multi-year alliance. 
• SBC, 4.21.21: DraftKings Appoints Gisele Bündchen To Advise On Environmental Social And Governance Initiatives 
  • DraftKings Inc has confirmed the appointment of environmental activist, philanthropist and former supermodel Gisele Bündchen as a special advisor on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. 
• IGB, 4.21.21: DraftKings Becomes Official Partner Of Professional Fighters League 
  • Online operator DraftKings has become the first official sportsbook and daily fantasy partner of mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, the Professional Fighters League (PFL). 

Sports League News: 

• US Bets, 4.20.21: NFL Win Totals At Sportsbooks Inch Up As The League Adds An Extra Week 
  • Changing the amount of games each team plays for the first time in four decades has had an effect on the sports betting world, specifically win totals. The extra game — and whom each team plays — is causing bookmakers a little more hand-wringing then they’re used to at this time of year. 

New Jersey: 

• Play NJ, 4.20.21: 5 Reasons Why NJ Online Casino Industry Is Roaring About Record March Revenue 
  • The NJ online casino industry is once again in new record territory with $113.7 million in March revenue.  The number crushes the previous all-time high of $103.7 million set just two months ago. 

Connecticut: 

• PlayUSA, 4.20.21: Connecticut Sports Betting Makes Progress – Plus, Can It Start By NFL Season? 
  • Everyone now knows Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and state lawmakers worked their magic to make sports betting a reality. But the only question residents and visitors want to know is, when will sports betting in Connecticut launch? 

North Carolina: 

• Online Gambling, 4.20.21: North Carolina Senators File Online Sports Betting Bill 
  • Senate Bill 688, sponsored by senators Jim Perry and Paul Lowe, would permit up to 12 online licenses in North Carolina. It would also allow sports facilities that host professional events with capacities of more than 17,000 fans to establish wagering platforms through mobile devices or on-site computer terminals. 

Alabama: 

• US Betting Report, 4.21.21: Sports Betting Likely on Alabama Ballot in 2022 
  • It started out as an attempt to legalize and establish an Alabama Lottery. Now, it has turned into an expansive gaming package bill. Senate Bill 319 has been gaining steam in the Alabama legislature. The final decision could ultimately be left up to voters in November 2022. 

Michigan: 

• Online Poker Report, 4.20.21: Two Full Months In, Michigan’s Online Gambling Market Is Quickly Erasing Pennsylvania’s Head Start 
  • Although for the second straight month, Michigan’s online gambling revenue ($95.1 million in March) rivaled Pennsylvania’s ($98 million), even though that state’s online casinos launched in July 2019. 
• IGB, 4.20.21: Michigan Betting And iGaming Revenue Grows To $127.4m In March 
  • Online betting and gaming operators in Michigan brought in $127.4m in March, a 42.8% month-on-month increase in the second full month of online activity, thanks in part to betting on the NCAA basketball tournament. 
• The Detroit News, 4.20.21: Michigan’s Internet Betting Revenue Takes Off 
  • Michigan’s foray into legal online gambling continues to gain momentum, even exceeding the high expectations that surrounded the launch of internet sports betting and gaming earlier this year. 

Florida:  

• Sports Handle, 4.20.21: Florida Sports Betting Conversation Anything But Fruitful So Far 
  • Legal sports betting in Florida is looking more and more unlikely to get to the finish line in 2021, at least during the state legislature’s regular session, which ends April 30. 

Indiana: 

• Play Indiana, 4.20.21: Indiana Sportsbooks Release Season Win Totals, Colts Sit Atop The AFC South 
  • Indiana’s online sportsbooks have new futures odds out for every team. 

Washington:  

• SBC, 4.21.21: Washington State Enters Agreement With Tulalip Tribe To Add Sports Betting To Class III Gaming Compact 
  • The Washington State Gambling Commission has reached a tentative agreement with the state’s Tulalip Tribes to amend its Class III gaming compact to add sports wagering. The Tribe operates two Class III gaming facilities located west of Marysville on the Tulalip Reservation. 

Arkansas:  

• Legal Sports Report, 4.20.21: Arkansas Sports Betting Could Head Online With New House Bill 
  • Arkansas sports betting could expand beyond its nominal presence this year. On Monday, Rep. Lee Johnson introduced HB 1942 to allow casino licenses to operate “online sports pools.” The bill is on the House Committee on Rules schedule Wednesday. 
• IGB, 4.20.21: Online Betting Introduced In Arkansas, Passed To Committee 
  • A bill calling for the introduction and regulation of online sports betting by casino licensees in Arkansas has been referred to the state House Rules Committee. House Bill 1942, introduced by Representative Lee Johnson, asks for online sports betting to be approved “immediately” for operation in the state. 

Washington, D.C.:  

• Online Poker Report, 4.20.21: It’s Official: The Washington D.C. Lottery Adopts Final Rules For Online Sales, Making Its iLottery A Permanent Feature 
  • The pandemic pushed up Washington, D.C.’s launch of its iLottery by a year. Now, Covid-19-related fears and business restrictions are lifting due to more Americans being vaccinated. Even so, a spokeswoman with the district’s Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) told Online Poker Report on Monday that “the iLottery is here to stay.”