Industry News of the Day for August 30, 2023

By iDEA | August 30, 2023

Industry News

  • SBC Americas: Can ESPN And Penn Make The Media And Betting Partnership Work?
    • Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Penn Entertainment’s new deal with ESPN is whether or not the partnership can crack the nut that has tripped up so many partnerships before them. Namely, can a media brand successfully convert bettors to an app? And can they do so in a way that does not compromise the integrity of either brand or betting in general SharpRank Founder and CEO Chris Adams knows the potential pitfalls that come with blending content and bookmaking.
  • CDC Gaming Reports: DOJ “Takes Seriously” Illegal Gambling As College And NFL Wagering Kicks  Off
    • As the college football season kicks off in earnest this weekend and the NFL follows a week later, the Department of Justice told state gaming regulators that it “takes seriously” the issue of illegal gambling and continues to investigate offshore sportsbooks and online casinos. The letter released Tuesday by the Nevada Gaming Control Board was a response to one from a coalition of gaming regulators sent to the DOJ on April 28 that urged the Department to prioritize combating illegal offshore sportsbooks and online casinos.
  • Gambling News: PointsBet To Return Millions To Shareholders Following The Sale Of Its US Arm
    • PointsBet will return millions to its shareholders following the sale of its US business to Fanatics Betting and Gaming. This was confirmed during the company’s latest extraordinary general meeting. PointsBet agreed to divest its US assets on June 30, selling its American operations of $225 million. The transaction is intended to take place over a multi-stage completion process and is still subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. If the deal is approved, PointsBet will receive $175 million at the initial completion and another $50 million at the subsequent completion.

Arizona

  • Legal Sports Report: Bet365 Joins Arizona Sports Betting; Licenses Still Available
    • Bet365 continues its foray into the US market with a license for Arizona sports betting. The Arizona Department of Gaming announced Tuesday it allocated one of the three available AZ sports betting licenses to bet365, in partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The decision comes after the ADG opened an application period for sports betting licenses from August 1 to August 15. Arizona sports betting began Sept. 9, 2021.

California

  • PlayUSA: Fliff Asks California Judge To Dismiss Lawsuit, Compel Claim To Arbitration
    • Lawyers for sweepstakes mobile application Fliff filed a motion asking a federal court judge in California to dismiss a class action lawsuit and compel the matter to arbitration on an individual basis. San Diego-based Attorney Dennis Stewart filed the suit June 6 on behalf of plaintiff Bishoy Nessim, who seeks more than $5 million in damages for himself and every Californian who lost money on Fliff. The lawsuit alleges that Fliff operates an illegal online sportsbook under the guise of a free sweepstakes contest, violating the federal Wire Act, California’s Unfair Competition Law and anti-bookmaking laws.

New York

  • PlayNY: Pro-Gambling Lawmaker Addabbo Set To Host NY Problem Gambling Zoom Meeting
    • A New York lawmaker who advocates for expanding legal gambling in the Empire State is also a leading proponent of putting state resources toward helping those who are vulnerable or prone to addiction disorders. Sen. Joseph Addabbo, D-Queens, will be hosting a virtual problem gambling education seminar on Sept. 13 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

North Carolina

  • US Bets: Campaign Finance Report Shares Details On Gambling Industry’s Lobbying In North Carolina
    • North Carolina politicians received more than $500,000 in campaign contributions from pro-gambling and pro-marijuana stakeholders in the first half of 2023, according to a report newly compiled by Bob Hall, a campaign finance analyst in that state.  It’s not unusual that gambling lobbyists attempt to assert political influence, especially with sports betting and regulated casino gambling both being legal business enterprises in dozens of U.S. states.
  • TheLines.com: North Carolina Stadium Sportsbooks A Potential Market Booster
    • The new sports betting market in North Carolina will bring many changes to the local sports scene. In addition to North Carolina sports betting apps, HB 347 allows local teams to host in-stadium sportsbooks. This clause grants betting licenses to the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Charlotte Football Club. Other markets like Arizona and Ohio have seen success with local in-stadium sportsbooks. How will the Tar Heel State fair?

Ontario

  • PlayCanada: AGCO To Ban Athletes, Other Celebrities From Ontario Gambling Advertisements
    • After months of deliberation, the verdict is finally in. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has announced a ban that will prohibit athletes and other celebrities from appearing in gambling advertising and marketing in Ontario. According to the regulator, the updates to the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming will take effect on Feb. 28, 2024 — six months hence.

Pennsylvania

  • PlayPennsylvania: Pennsylvania Gaming Regulators Hold Policy Hearing Against Skill Games
    • Senator Amanada Cappelletti and Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, Senator Katie Muth, hosted a policy hearing on the status of Pennsylvania skill games last week. Many regulators attended and spoke at the hearing, including members from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) and PA casinos. Skill games, which are a form of unregulated gaming, operate similar to casino slot machines and have been a controversial topic over the last several years.
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