Industry News of the Day for August 23, 2023

iDEA Growth Member News

• Baltimore Sun: Maryland Should Legalize Online Gambling To Eliminate Black Markets And Protect Consumers | Guest Commentary By Jeff Ifrah
  • Maryland lawmakers are continuing efforts to legalize internet gambling despite legislation introduced earlier this year failing to garner the needed support. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission said this month it is conducting a study to see how online gambling, like interactive slots and table games, could benefit the state. This is after Senate Bill 627, which would have asked voters if they wished to amend the Maryland constitution to permit online gambling, was shelved in March.

• TheLines: DraftKings Partners With Corbin Racetrack For Kentucky Market Access
  • DraftKings Sportsbook plans to launch in Kentucky through a new agreement with Corbin Racetrack. DK now joins the likes of Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, and BetMGM which all already have partnerships with local Kentucky operators. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will vote on sports betting applications later today. This deal allows DK to earn one of those licenses and launch sports betting in Kentucky.

Industry News

• CDC Gaming Reports: The United States Igaming Revenue Report – July 2023
  • An overview of igaming revenue in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware, the six states where online gambling is legal in the U.S. Total igaming revenue for July 2023 in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware added up to $482.6 million compared to $388.4 million in July 2022, a leap of 19.5%, as the six states continue their march toward a half-billion per month.

• Sports Handle: U.S. Rep. Tonko: Speedy Passage Of Sports Betting Ad Ban Bill Unlikely
  • More than six months have elapsed since U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko of New York proposed legislation that aims to create a federal ban on sports betting commercials nationwide. There have been dramatic changes since then throughout the U.S. sports betting ecosystem, including after the industry celebrated the fifth anniversary of PASPA’s repeal this spring. Several states have issued six-figure fines for violations related to the targeting of underage populations with sports betting advertising.

 

• Gambling News: White Hat To Power PokerStars With Igaming Content In The US
  • White Hat Studios, a leading provider of content in the American iGaming market, has formed a new partnership with PokerStars, a major online gambling operator. Under the agreement, the developer will supply its new partner with a selection of exciting slot and table games. As per the deal, recent hits such as Peaky Blinders and Masters of Atlantis will make their way into PokerStars’ online casino portfolio.

Illinois

• PlayIllinois: Circa Sportsbook Illinois Expected To Launch In Late September
  • The anticipation for Circa Sportsbook’s launch in Illinois is reaching a boiling point. And now there appears to be a more targeted time period for when the operator is expected to become a legal Illinois sports betting site. Circa’s director of operations, Jeff Benson, told PlayIllinois that the sportsbook now hopes to launch in Illinois by late September. Of course, the launch is pending final legislative approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.

Kentucky

• Gaming Today: All Kentucky Betting Licenses Approved; Fanatics Joins As Late Addition
  • Kentucky sports betting temporary licenses were unanimously approved for nine sportsbooks and seven licensed horse racetracks, keeping the Commonwealth on schedule for a retail and mobile launch next month.  The nine sportsbook licenses approved on Tuesday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) will give all nine service providers mobile access in the Bluegrass State through partnerships with Kentucky tracks. Eight of the sportsbook companies have announced mobile partnerships so far.

Michigan

• PlayMichigan: Michigan Passes $1 Billion In Online Casino Revenue For 2023 Thanks To Big July
  • Michigan online casinos crossed the $1 billion revenue mark for 2023 in seven months following another top-5 all-time revenue month in July. Data released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board showed the state’s 15 online casinos recorded $153.6 million in revenue, the fourth-highest monthly total in Michigan’s history. July was a 1.7% jump from June’s $151 million and a 21.3% jump from last July’s $126.6 million.

Missouri

• Missourinet: Cardinals President Has Not Given Up On Lawmakers Passing Sports Gambling Bill
  • Since 2024 is a major election year for Missouri lawmakers running for re-election and higher office, the odds could be even lower to get a sports gambling bill across the finish line. The roadblock in recent years has been State Senator Denny Hoskins, who is running for Secretary of State. Hoskins wants to regulate video lottery machines, which are not taxed and can be found in many Missouri bars, restaurants, and truck stops.

New York

• PlayNY: Over A Year After First Announcement, Caesars Racebook Finally Launches In New York
  • New York has a new online racebook for its horse betting needs. Last week, Caesars Entertainment launched its online NY horse betting platform Caesars Racebook, giving the Empire State “pari-mutuel wagering on premier horse racing content from more than 300 tracks around the world,” according to a press release. In the heart of the Saratoga race season, Caesars Racebook goes live in New York, becoming the 17th state in Caesars horse betting portfolio.

Ohio

• PlayOhio: Ohio Officials Decry Elimination Of Youth Sports Funding From Sports Betting Tax Revenue
  • When legal sports betting launched on Jan. 1 of this year, Ohio joined New York as the only states to earmark a percentage of sports betting tax revenue to help fund youth sports and other extracurricular activities. But a little over six months later, Gov. Mike DeWine signed a new state operating budget that did away with direct funding for sports and extracurricular activities for K-12 students