Industry News of the Day for April 5, 2024
Industry News
- PlayUSA: Fanatics Closes Purchase For PointsBet’s US Businesses
- Fanatics Betting and Gaming has officially closed its previously announced acquisition of PointsBet businesses in the US. Illinois was the final state in this ongoing process, which started in May 2023 when Fanatics announced its acquisition plans. PointsBet Holdings Limited (ASX: PBH) confirmed receipt of the final installment of the headline purchase price of $225 million and has transferred the remaining entities to Fanatics.
- Legal Sports Report: PrizePicks To Move To New $25 Million Atlanta Headquarters
- Fantasy sports operator PrizePicks is relocating to a new $25 million, 33,000-square-foot headquarters in Atlanta. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the move in a Thursday news release. PrizePicks plans to expand its fantasy sports workforce by 1,000 additional jobs over the next seven years, according to the release. The company was founded, and has been headquartered, in Atlanta. It previously was recognized as a top workplace by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Bonus: Unibet US Official Site Closure Dates – New Jersey To Shut Down In May, Pennsylvania To Follow In June
- Unibet’s closure of its US sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is imminent, with the specific dates now set in stone. Last year, Unibet’s parent company, Kindred Group, announced that it would pull out of the market by the end of June. It is now planning to wind down its New Jersey operations a little ahead of schedule, while Pennsylvania will carry on slightly longer. Although it’s a famous brand in Northern Europe, Unibet has never had much traction in the American market.
Michigan
- PlayMichigan: MGCB: Hard Rock Must Apply For Its Own Online Casino License
- Hard Rock has been linked as the next online casino platform in Michigan since purchasing 888 Holdings‘ US assets. But it won’t be automatic that Hard Rock comes to the Great Lakes State. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) told PlayMichigan that Hard Rock needs to apply for its own license, should the company want to launch in the state. With the departure of Sports Illustrated and 888, that leaves the state with an open license, giving Hard Rock a clear path to being the newest Michigan online casino.
Illinois
- iGB: Fanatics Set For Illinois Launch After Completing $225M PointsBet US Acquisition
- By the end of the month, Fanatics will be operating online in 20 states, including Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, pending regulatory approvals. Fanatics Casino is available online in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia with New Jersey to follow. Fanatics will also provide the betting operations to 19 retail locations, including the only retail sportsbook inside an NFL stadium at Commanders Field in Maryland.
Alabama
- Associated Press: Alabama Lottery, Casino Legislation Heads To Conference Committee
- The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday rejected Senate changes to lottery and gambling legislation as the two chambers remain apart on whether to allow sports betting and multiple casinos in the state. Representatives voted to send the bill to a conference committee. It was the first legislative action on the bill that has been stalled since the Alabama Senate scaled back a sweeping House-passed plan that would have allowed a lottery, sports betting and up to 10 casinos with table games. The Senate version would not allow sport betting and would not allow casinos outside of tribal land.
Colorado
- PlayColorado: Colorado Stays Ahead Of Curve On Responsible Gambling With Think Tank, Hiring
- Gaming regulators and stakeholders recently came together at the Colorado State Capitol to discuss responsible gambling. According to reporting from 9News in Denver, officials from the Colorado Lottery, the Colorado Division of Gaming and other groups met to find ways to better help people who are gambling irresponsibly and ways to continue promoting healthy gaming practices. Colorado continues to make responsible gaming a priority. The Colorado Lottery recently hired a full-time player health manager to make further strides in responsible play.