Industry News of the Day for February 19, 2021

iDEA Growth Member News

• Bloomberg, 2.19.21 – FanDuel Had To Pivot During The Pandemic, Says CEO
  • Matt King, FanDuel CEO talks about how the legalization of sports betting in America will be beneficial to his company.
• Online Poker Report, 2.18.21 – Ten Days In, Michigan’s Online Gambling Market Rivals That Of New Jersey And Pennsylvania, With BetMGM Leading The Pack
  • Michigan is the latest state to launch online gambling. It did so less than one month ago, on January 22, and it’s off to a thundering start.
• SBC Americas, 2.18.21 – Kambi To Share Sports Betting Expert Insight At Festival Of Sportsbook
  • Global sports betting partner Kambi Group plc has announced details of the public content sessions that will form part of its upcoming digital event, Festival of Sportsbook, taking place from March 15 to 19.

Overall Industry News:

• PlayUSA, 2.18.21 – The Biggest Casino Rumors & News Shaking Up Las Vegas Right Now
  • The coronavirus pandemic has changed how businesses around the world operate. Las Vegas casinos and adjacent businesses are no different.

New Jersey:

• PlayNJ, 2.18.21 – AC Casino Gambling Revenue Dips To Start 2021
  • Year over year gambling revenue generated from Atlantic City’s nine casinos was down nearly 17% in January.

Pennsylvania:

• Online Poker Report, 2.18.21 – Pennsylvania’s Online Gambling Market Continues To Climb As 2021 Gets Underway
  • Pennsylvania’s online gambling market hit a few minor milestones in January. Combined revenue for all operators and iGaming channels (excluding sports betting) exceeded $80 million for the first time.
• Penn Bets, 2.18.21 – January Suggests A Strong Rebound This Year For Pennsylvania Gaming, Which Could Reach $4 Billion
  • The start of 2020 suggested heady days ahead for Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, which was flush with cash streams.

Massachusetts:

• Mass Live, 2.19.21 – For MGM Springfield And Other Mass. Casinos, Sports Betting Could Hold Key To Future (subscription paywall)
  • Efforts to control the deadly coronavirus pandemic – from plexiglass shields at roulette tables to bans on patrons standing and drinking at the same time – dominated the news for MGM Springfield and the region’s other casinos in 2020.

Vermont:

• Legal Sports Report, 2.18.21 – Vermont Sports Betting Bill Would Authorize 6 Mobile Sportsbooks
  • Multiple bills to legalize sports betting in Vermont failed last year, but their sponsors are back again in 2021.

Washington, D.C.:

• Gambling.com, 2.18.21 – DC Handle For William Hill Down, Still Doubles Lottery App
  • The good news for the District of Columbia’s online sports wagering app is that it enjoyed the best month ever in terms of handle in its brief history.

West Virginia:

• PlayWV, 2.18.21 – West Virginia Sports Betting Takes Slight Dip In January, Totaling Around $50 Million In Handle
  • Sports betting figures in the Mountain State were down in the month of January. West Virginia sportsbooks generated just shy of $51 million in bets for the month, after exceeding $53 million in December.

Kentucky:

• PlayTenn, 2.18.21 – Kentucky Sports Betting Faces Uphill Battle Against Religious And Anti-Gambling Rhetoric
  • Last week’s historical horse racing debate showed the difficult path for Kentucky sports betting legalization.

Michigan:

• MLive, 2.19.21 – Why Michigan’s $115 Million In January Online Sports Betting Wasn’t A Big Tax Windfall
  • Michiganders have been bombarded with online sports betting advertisements, and those efforts paid off for operators, with $115.2 million wagered over just 10 days in January.
• Cleveland Business Journal, 2.18.21 – Opening Of Mobile Wagering In Michigan Stands As A Beacon Of What’s Possible
  • Fueled by a business-friendly structure and downtown Detroit’s mix of teams and venues, the state’s sports betting rollout is off to a fast start.

Indiana:

• PlayIndiana, 2.18.21 – New AGA Report On Gaming Revenue Latest Evidence Indiana Needs Online Casinos
  • Commercial gaming revenue in the US dropped by more than 31% during 2020, according to a new report from the American Gaming Association.
• PlayIndiana, 2.18.21 – Indiana Online Casino Bill Fails To Take Flight Amidst Spectacle Scandal
  • Online casino legislation died in the Indiana Senate this week without ever leaving the nest.

Kansas:

• Sports Handle, 2.18.21 – Greyhound Lobby Vocal About Kansas Sports Betting Bill
  • Like its Senate counterpart last week, the Kansas House Committee on Federal and State Affairs held a two-day hearing to listen to testimony related to legalizing sports betting.
• The Action Network, 2.18.21 – Kansas Casinos, Lottery Retailers Continue Sports Betting Tug-Of-War
  • Kansas’ top gaming stakeholders all want legal sports betting. Two competing bills will determine which entities can accept bets — and if legal betting will come to Kansas this year.

Georgia:

• Georgia Recorder, 2.18.21 – Sports Gambling Bill Gaining Traction, Could Get Committee Vote Next Week
  • Legislation to legalize online sports betting in Georgia could come to a vote in a state Senate committee as soon as next week.
• The Griffin Daily News, 2.18.21 – Georgia Senate Panel Hears Sports Betting Pitch
  • Legalizing sports betting could divert an estimated $4.8 billion a year Georgians now spend wagering on games illegally, tax it, and put a portion of the proceeds toward education, supporters said Thursday.

Arizona:

• Sports Handle, 2.18.21 – Arizona Senators Call Out Governor, But Vote To Move Sports Betting Forward
  • If ever a piece of legislation was moved forward with grave concerns, it was when Arizona’s Senate Commerce Committee voted 6-3 Wednesday to approve SB 1797, a sports wagering bill that raised a host of questions, exposed Gov. Doug Ducey’s office as being unresponsive and insulated, and left most committee members reluctant but willing to keep the bill alive.
• AZ Central, 2.18.21 – Despite Lots Of Questions, Sports-Betting Bill Advances In Arizona Senate
  • A sports-betting bill that would allow pro teams to run sportsbooks in Arizona as well as open the door to expanded tribal casinos in metro Phoenix advanced Wednesday night through the state Senate.