Industry News of the Day for February 22, 2021

Industry News:

• Sports Handle, 2.19.21 – Get A Grip: The Week In Sports Betting: Arizona’s Chaotic Progress, Wyoming, Handle + Revenue Reports Galore, Tennessee Eye-Openers, More
  • Here’s the weekend (or fashionably late) Sports Handle item, “Get a Grip,” recapping the week’s top US sports betting stories, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.

Pennsylvania:

• PlayPennsylvania, 2.19.21 – New Online Casino In PA Is Coming: Borgata Prepares For Launch
  • A new, but familiar name is joining the Pennsylvania iGaming scene. Borgata online casino is planning to test launch its online casino in Pennsylvania sometime this week.

New York:

• Buffalo Business First, 2.22.21 – Push For Legalized Mobile Betting Meets Challenges
  • The process to make mobile gaming and sports wagering legal in New York state may take longer than anticipated.

Massachusetts:

• Boston Globe, 2.19.21 – After Three Years Of Debate, Signs That Legalized Sports Betting In Mass. May Happen
  • After nearly three years of debate over whether to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts, there are some signs in the Legislature that the long-stalled issue may finally be gaining traction.

Vermont:

• Yogonet, 2.19.21 – Efforts To Legalize Sports Betting Back In Vermont
  • Lead sponsor Sen. Dick Sears and co-sponsors Sen. Michael Sirotkin, Sen. Christopher Pearson, and Sen. Richard Westman submitted S 77 last week, which would bill would authorize VT sports betting through the lottery and allow up to six mobile sportsbook operators.

Washington, D.C.:

• WTOP, 2.21.21 – Proposed Sportsbook On Capitol Hill On Hold
  • Some residents in the Capitol Hill neighborhood have been trying to get city regulators to deny a liquor license to a Virginia businessman’s proposed sportsbook in Southeast D.C. However, the battle is on hold.

Virginia:

• Legal Sports Report, 2.19.21 – Are We A Meeting Away From More Virginia Sports Betting Operators?
  • Ready for some déjà vu? There’s another conference coming to settle an issue on Virginia sports betting legislation.

Michigan:

• PlayMichigan, 2.19.21 – 3 Takeaways From Michigan Online Gambling’s First 10 Days
  • As known by industry observers, and confirmed by Wednesday’s revenue release by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, internet gaming should be the real moneymaker in Michigan.
• MLive, 2.19.21 – Michigan Is State That Is Most Interested In Online Gambling, Sports Betting, Data Says
  • Nearly one month after it went live, it appears Michigan has been loving online gambling and online sports betting.

Illinois:

• Sports Handle, 2.19.21 – Illinois Rep. Rita Files Bill To Legalize Internet Casino Gaming
  • State Rep. Bob Rita, one of the primary drivers of legislation that helped legalize sports betting in Illinois, has turned his attention to bringing internet casino gaming to the Land of Lincoln.
• Online Poker Report, 2.19.21 – Illinois Internet Gaming Act Provides A Springboard For An Accelerated Online Casino Launch
  • A new bill, HB3142 appeared in the House today. It lays out laws which would, if they pass, become known as the Internet Gaming Act (IGA).
• PlayIllinois, 2.19.21 – Online Casinos Coming To Illinois? State Rep. Rita Introduces Internet Gaming Act
  • State Rep. Bob Rita has introduced the Internet Gaming Act which would bring online slot machines, table games, and poker to the Land of Lincoln.

Iowa:

• PlayIA, 2.19.21 – IRGC: 3 Sports Betting Skins Per Iowa Casino On Its Way
  • The rule-making process isn’t finalized, but Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) Administrator Brian Ohorilko sees an easier path for each Iowa casinos to add a third sportsbook soon.

North Dakota:

• Inforum, 2.21.21 – ND Committee Reluctant To Go All In On Legalizing Sports Betting
  • Initially introduced in January, House Bill 1234 underwent a “hoghouse” change before being reintroduced to the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 17.

Georgia:

• The Action Network, 2.19.21 – Georgia’s Legal Sports Betting Hopes Continue To Grow
  • Slowly but surely, Georgia — which has one of the nation’s most politically conservative legislatures — is closing in on legal sports betting.
• WABE, 2.22.21 – Georgia Lawmakers Make Push For Expanded Gambling — So What’s The Holdup?
  • Mullis estimates that if Georgians were allowed to bet on professional sports through their phones it would bring in $40 million a year for The HOPE Scholarship.
• Albany Herald, 2.20.21 – 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.

Wyoming:

• KGAB, 2.19.21 – Bill To Allow Online Sports Betting Filed In Wyoming Legislature
  • A bill to allow for online sports wagering has been filed in the Wyoming Legislature.
• Gaming Intelligence, 2.22.21 – Wyoming Gets Online Sports Betting Bill (subscription paywall)
  • Lawmakers in Wyoming have introduced a bill to regulate online sports betting in the state.

Utah:

• Deseret News, 2.20.21 – Online Gambling Has Exploded Amid Pandemic, So How Do You Enforce Law And Fight Addiction?
  • Experts warn that for those with a penchant for exceeding the limits of responsible gambling, pandemic conditions have created a perfect setting for bad decision-making. So what does that mean for states like Utah?