Industry News of the Day for February 21, 2019

Federal News:

• Legal Sports Report, 2.21.19 – Here’s The Other Wire Act Lawsuit That Could Shape The Future Of US Sports Betting
  • On February 15, everyone was talking about New Hampshire filing suit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the legitimacy of the new Wire Act memo. While they did, the hero-lawyer of sports betting, Ted Olson, was back at it fighting for the little guys, Neopollard Interactive and Pollard Banknote Limited.
• US Bets, 2.20.19 – How The New Hampshire Filing Against The DOJ Will Affect Online Gambling In Other States
  • Last week, the New Hampshire Attorney General filed a complaint against the recent Department of Justice opinion that applied the Wire Act to all forms of online gambling. As we await a ruling on New Hampshire’s complaint, experts have begun to speculate about its impact — in New Hampshire and beyond.

Illinois:

• Legal Sports Report, 2.20.19 – Pritzker Proposal Puts Illinois Sports Betting On The Pennsylvania Plan
  • Incoming Gov. J.B. Pritzker included Illinois sports betting revenue in his budget proposal to the state legislature Wednesday.
• Sports Handle, 2.20.19 – Illinois Governor Wants State To Take Up Sports Betting ASAP
  • The state of Illinois took a major step forward toward sports betting after the governor on Wednesday called for the legalization as part of his budget address.

Iowa:

• Sioux City Journal, 2.21.19 – Casinos, daily fantasy sports big winners in new sports betting bill
  • Sports betting would be legalized and hosted by the state’s 19 casinos, including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City and Grand Falls Casino & Resort near Larchwood, under a new legislative proposal.
• Sports Handle, 2.20.19 – Bet On Iowa: Lawmakers Making Quick Work Of Latest Sports Betting Bill
  • If you’re taking bets on which state will be the first to legalize sports betting in 2019, you might want to consider laying down some money on Iowa. On Tuesday, an Iowa subcommittee moved forward Senator Roby Smith’s Senate Study Bill 1168, which would legalize sports betting, including state-wide mobile sports betting. It would also legalize betting on fantasy sports.
• Des Moines Register, 2.20.19 – Casinos win legislative support for running Iowa sports betting market
  • Casinos would be in charge of running sports betting in Iowa under new bills in the Iowa House and Senate to legalize the practice.
• KCRG, 2.20.19 – Senate, House bills favor casinos overseeing sports betting in Iowa
  • New bills in the Iowa House and Senate call for casinos to oversee sports betting in the state. The bills say Iowans would have to visit a casino once to register and show that they are over 21 years old. The senate bill passed a subcommittee Tuesday, and a similar House bill is expected to move forward soon.
• Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau, 2.21.19 – Casinos big winners in sports betting bills Neither House nor Senate see role for Iowa Lottery
  • Sports betting would be legalized in Iowa and hosted by the state’s 19 casinos — with an online option as well — under a legislative proposal unveiled Wednesday.

Arkansas:

• AP, 2.20.19 – Company urges Arkansas commission to follow casino amendment
  • The Arkansas Racing Commission will be in breach of the state constitution if it doesn’t follow a recently passed amendment and issue four casino licenses, according to a company behind one of the proposed casinos.
• THV 11, 2.20.19 – Arkansas Racing Commission to either accept or reject proposed casino rules at upcoming meeting
  • The rules on casinos in Arkansas could officially be in place as early as next week. More than 160 public comments were submitted and on Thursday, Feb. 20, the Arkansas Racing Commission will either accept or reject the proposed rules.

Louisiana:

• WAFB, 2.19.19 – New push to legalize sports betting, use revenue to fund early childhood education expansion
  • There’s a push at the state capitol to link sports betting revenue to early childhood education expansion, according to Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Metairie.

Kentucky:

• AP, 2.20.19 – Sports betting bill advances in Kentucky legislature
  • Kentucky lawmakers have taken the first step to legalize sports betting. A legislative committee approved House Bill 175 on Wednesday. The bill would make it legal to bet on sports in Kentucky. It would also make internet poker and fantasy sports gambling legal.
• Lexington Herald-Leader, 2.20.19 – Bill to legalize sports betting passes Kentucky House panel, but still faces long odds
  • A bill to legalize and tax sports betting in Kentucky and devote much of the estimated tens of millions of dollars in revenue to public pensions flew out of a House committee on Wednesday. But it faces an uncertain future in the full House, where — as a revenue measure — it needs 60 out of 100 votes to pass.
• Tristate News, 2.20.19 – Kentucky bill would legalize sports gambling
  • Kentucky lawmakers have taken the first step to legalize sports betting in the state. Ellis Park will be impacted by House Bill 175. A legislative committee approved the bill on Tuesday.

North Dakota:

• AP, 2.20.19 – North Dakota House reverses itself, passes sports betting bill
  • A bill legalizing sports betting in North Dakota faced better odds Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 20, when the state House reversed itself and supported legislation it defeated just hours earlier.

Indiana:

• US Bets, 2.21.19 – Indiana Committee Passes Sports Betting Legislation, Setting Stage For Senate Vote
  • On Thursday, the Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee voted 12-0 in favor of a piece of legislation that calls for legalizing sports betting, including mobile wagering platforms, in the state.
• Indianapolis Star, 2.21.19 – Lawmakers could approve a Terre Haute casino. But that may mean picking winners and losers
  • For years the owners of Rising Star Casino in southeast Indiana have lobbied lawmakers to allow it to open a casino in Terre Haute using some of its excess, unused slots and table games.
• CNHI News Indiana, 2.20.19 – Report: A million plus might gamble in Terre Haute if casino is approved
  • A state analysis estimates 800,000 to 1.1 million people would visit a proposed Vigo County casino annually, generating $85 million to $105 million in adjusted gross receipts each year.
• Indiana Public Media, 2.20.19 – Senate Committee To Hear Gaming, Casino Bill
  • A legislative committee could decide Thursday whether to shake up Indiana’s gambling industry. A proposed bill contains three major changes: it would allow a Gary casino to move inland, it would legalize sports wagering, and it could also allow for construction of a casino in Terre Haute.

Mississippi:

• Sun Herald, 2.21.19 – Have casinos helped fund education across Mississippi?
  • Every time he speaks to Rotary, Kiwanis or other groups, Larry Gregory says people ask if casino tax revenue isn’t supposed to be pumping millions of dollars into schools across Mississippi.

Kansas:

• WIBW, 2.20.19 – Sports betting in Kansas could be done through apps; at bars and restaurants
  • A Kansas lawmaker says sports betting could bring up to $1 billion to the state. Rep. Francis Awerkamp gave the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee an update on proposals to allow sports betting. He said Kansas casinos and the lottery are discussing four options.

West Virginia:

• Play WV, 2.20.19 – Passage Of WV Online Gaming Bill ‘Looking Good’ After Few Changes
  • Just over a week ago, a bipartisan group of West Virginia delegates introduced a WV online casino gaming bill that looked promising. The excitement is palpable after several years of struggles trying to get support behind similar bills.
• US Bets, 2.20.19 – West Virginia Online Poker, Casino Bill Dodges Bullet Before Advancing To House Floor
  • Legal online table games, slots, and poker are one major step closer to reality in West Virginia, after a House committee voted late Tuesday to move a proposed new law to the House floor for a full vote.
• iGaming Business, 2.20.19 – West Virginia advances iGaming bill with tax amendment
  • The West Virginia House Judiciary Committee has advanced a bill that would legalize online gambling activities in the state, with an amendment requiring operators to pay a higher rate of tax than originally proposed.
• Charleston Gazette Mail, 2.19.19 – Bill to allow satellite casino locations advances; no Charleston casino plans
  • Legislation that would allow West Virginia’s four racetrack casinos to operate satellite locations advanced to the full House of Delegates on Tuesday.

Connecticut:

• Legal Sports Report, 2.20.19 – Governor Lamont Leaves Connecticut Sports Betting Out Of Budget
  • New Governor Ned Lamont left Connecticut sports betting out of his first budget proposal Wednesday, but called it a “building blocks for a balanced budget in the future.”

New Jersey:

• Play NJ, 2.20.19 – New Jersey Gambling Revenue Gets A Major Boost From The Online Market
  • New Jersey is the focal point for gaming in the US. The market is evolving at a rapid pace. Atlantic City is moving away from being a market that is exclusively reliant on land-based casinos.
• US Bets, 2.21.19 – Despite Monmouth Park’s Success, Horse Racing Still Developing Model For Integrating Sports Betting
  • For the first time in the 148-year history of Monmouth Park, the racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day for simulcast racing. That was just one of several recent positive signs at the venerable track near the Jersey Shore.
• NJ Spotlight, 2.20.19 – Fighting The Federal Move To Put Brakes On Nj’s Online Gambling Industry
  • Assessing the chances of a court challenge to a Trump administration initiative that could severely damage online gaming in New Jersey.

iDEA Growth Member News:

• Bloomberg, 2.20.19 – Topgolf Seeks Piece of Sports Wagering in Deal With PointsBet
  • Topgolf, whose upscale driving ranges have expanded to include entertainment of all sorts, is getting in on sports betting — sort of.
• NJ Online Gambling, 2.19.19 – Online Gambling Industry Leader In New Jersey Launches Integrated Sportsbook
  • Better late than never. After missing the entirety of the NFL season, and a good chunk of the college hoops schedule, Golden Nugget Casino has finally gone live with an online sportsbook.

Overall Industry News:

• Online Poker Report, 2.20.19 – Five Things We Learned At ICE And LAC Gaming Expos
  • Dreary old February isn’t exactly the ideal time to visit London. Unless, of course, you were among the tens of thousands of gaming industry folks at ExCel London this month for ICE Totally Gaming and its sister event, the London Affiliate Conference (LAC).
• ESPN, 2.20.19 – Sports gambling must be regulated like financial markets
  • Scott Eden explains why gambling in sports should be regulated from an outside entity once it is fully legalized in the United States.
• Sports Handle, 2.20.19 – Expert Q&A: How Do Tribes See The Sports Betting Opportunity?
  • In a recent series of articles on the Tribal view of sports wagering, we learned that there’s no consensus amongst Tribes nationwide regarding the sports wagering opportunity. Some have open arms while others see it as a threat, not an opportunity. One great unifier? The desire for and enforcement of gaming exclusivity.
• Legal Sports Report, 2.21.19 – Kambi Looks To Build On Its Early US Sports Betting Success
  • The emergent US sports betting market is still in its formative phase, with new markets and operators appearing on a daily basis. It’s too early to tell how the market will shake out and who the key players will be, but one company is already establishing itself as a force: Kambi.
• Bloomberg, 2.21.19 – Sports-Betting Startup Wins Backing From Big League Team Owners
  • Action Network Inc., a digital startup looking to capitalize on the spread of legal sports betting, completed a funding round that attracted team owners from baseball, basketball and hockey, along with the former owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.