Industry News of the Day for December 6, 2019

Industry News:

• SBC Americas, 12.6.19 – NCPG Advisory Board Will Provide Better Advice And New Perspectives (Martin Lycka of GVC has been appointed to the NCPG Advisory Board)
  • The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)­ has announced the personnel line-up that will form its new Advisory Board. The Board aims to provide a mechanism for leaders in the fields of problem gambling and responsible gambling who are actively engaged with NCPG to provide advice and perspectives on matters of significance to its Board of Directors and leadership.

Michigan:

• Legal Sports Report, 12.5.19 – Michigan Senator: Sports Betting, Online Casino Bills Almost A Done Deal, Will Be ‘Signed Before Christmas’
  • State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. tells Legal Sports Report that negotiations between stakeholders and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to work out the details on sports betting and internet gambling bills are nearly complete.
• Online Poker Report, 12.5.19 – Will Michigan Online Poker Be All Wrapped Up For Christmas?
  • Poker players in Michigan might be getting a stocking full of good news this holiday season. State Sen. Curtis Hertel, a key proponent of this year’s gambling legislation, says he intends to put an online poker bill on the governor’s desk before winter break.
• WSN, 12.5.19 – Michigan Sports Betting Bid Gets Tribal Support
  • In a signal that supports Michigan’s sports betting bill is gaining steam, the Native American tribes in the state have suggested they approve the current legislation that has passed the state House and is currently being debated in the Senate.

Georgia:

• Atlanta Business Chronicle, 12.6.19 – Sports Betting In Georgia Could Be Coming ‘Sooner Rather Later’ (subscription paywall)
  • Sports betting is exploding across the nation, putting pressure on Georgia lawmakers to legalize wagering during the 2020 legislative session that starts next month.

Massachusetts:

• The Boston Globe, 12.5.19 – OK’s Suffolk Downs Betting Plan With FanDuel
  • The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday approved a proposal by Suffolk Downs that will allow the daily fantasy sports operator FanDuel to offer wagers on horse races to Massachusetts customers through its mobile apps.

Washington, D.C.:

• Law360, 12.5.19 – DC Gets Quick Win In No-Bid Sports Betting Contract Row (subscription paywall)
  • A D.C. Superior Court judge has sided with the city’s lawmakers in a suit alleging they illegally granted a gambling contract to the district’s lottery operator without allowing other vendors to bid, saying the city’s council was within its legal authority to create an exemption in its laws to award the contract.

Colorado:

• Legal Sports Report, 12.6.19 – Colorado Sports Betting Summit: Who’s In, Who’s Out, Who’s Who
  • Colorado sports betting stakeholders will huddle next week with state regulators to provide input for the state’s upcoming launch.

Missouri:

• Gambling Compliance, 12.6.19 – Missouri House Report Favorable To Sports Betting, Grey Machine Regulation (subscription paywall)
  • A Missouri House Committee report calls the potential legalization of sports betting “a legitimate opportunity to increase state revenues” and says it “may be desirable” for the state to regulate so-called grey machines.
• Sports Handle, 12.5.19 – New Missouri Report: Sports Betting Worth Considering
  • Following five hearings on sports betting, members of Missouri’s House Special Interim Committee on Gaming are poised to share a report on their findings with the full House.

Iowa:

• WVIK, 12.6.19 – A Good Start For Sports Betting In Iowa
  • On Midwest Week, just a few months after it started, sports betting is beginning to make money for the state of Iowa, even before any major events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

New York:

• Legal Sports Report, 12.5.19 – 2020 Vision: NY Sports Betting Still Trying To Phone Home
  • Nineteen states have some form of legal sports betting law. This Legal Sports Report series looks ahead to which states could have legislative action to regulate sports betting in 2020. First up: New York.

Rhode Island:

• Associated Press, 12.5.19 – Judge: Sports Betting Suit Can Move On Due To Patriots Bet
  • A Rhode Island judge is allowing a lawsuit about the state legalizing and launching sports betting to move forward because the plaintiff lost a bet on the New England Patriots.
• Providence Journal, 12.5.19 – Judge Allows Suit That Seeks To Stop Sports Gambling In RI To Go Forward
  • Former Providence mayoral candidate Daniel Harrop’s losing bet is paying off in the ongoing legal fight over Rhode Island sports betting. A Superior Court judge Thursday ruled that Harrop has standing to sue the state’s legal sports gambling operation because he lost money on the New England Patriots last year.

Sports League News:

• CNBC, 12.5.19 – Legalized Sports Betting Has Had ‘Big Influence’ On Increased NFL Ratings, Giants Co-Owner Says
  • Legalized sports betting has had a significant role in the improved NFL television ratings, New York Giants co-owner Jonathan Tisch tells CNBC.
• ESPN, 12.6.19 – FAQ: The Big Questions Around Josh Shaw’s Suspension For Gambling
  • An NFL player was suspended indefinitely last week for betting on league games on multiple occasions this year.
• Play USA, 12.5.19 – The Josh Shaw Sports Betting Scandal Left Us With These 3 Takeaways
  • The level of controversy surrounding the Josh Shaw sports betting fiasco is not going away–and rightfully so. After the Arizona Cardinals defensive back was suspended for placing a sports bet, the NFL released a fluff response with minimal details. Furthermore, it caused the gambling media to tear into the league for its lack of transparency.