Industry News of the Day for February 3, 2021

iDEA Growth Member News

• Coindesk, 2.3.21 – ErisX Exchange Asks CFTC To Approve Sports Bets Futures As ‘Risk Hedging’ Tools (Jeff Ifrah mentioned)
  • If approved, three proposed futures contracts would be tied to the outcome of National Football League games.

Industry News:

• US Bets, 2.2.21 – Numbers Game: November Another Record Month For Sports Betting
  • More than $3.46 billion was wagered nationwide and operators collected more than $302 million in revenue.

Overall Industry News:

• Sports Handle, 2.2.21 – New Era For Compulsive Gambling Aid In The US?
  • January was an eventful month in many ways — and that includes potentially good news for those concerned about funding for problem gambling programs.
• iGB North America, 2.3.21 – Betting Sponsorships Worth $396.6M To US Sports, Research Claims
  • The betting industry has invested almost $400m in sponsorship investments in US sport since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, according to new research.

Connecticut:

• The Day, 2.2.21 – Odds Increase In Favor Of Connecticut Sports Betting
  • In this week’s episode of The Storyline, we talk to business reporter Brian Hallenbeck about the chances that Connecticut will finally legalize sports betting.

Massachusetts:

• Sports Handle, 2.2.21 – Here’s Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s Bay State Bid For Sports Betting
  • For the second time in three years, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker filed a sports betting proposal — bringing the total number of bills introduced this year to four.

Georgia:

• Associated Press, 2.2.21 – Georgia House Panel Approves Bill Allowing Sports Betting
  • A bill that would legalize sports betting in Georgia and give tax revenue to the state lottery is in advancing in the state House, despite questions about whether a state constitutional amendment would be required to do so.
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2.2.21 – Sports Betting Bill Sails Through Georgia House Panel (subscription paywall)
  • Legislation that would legalize online sports betting easily sailed through a state House panel Tuesday in a move aimed at expanding gambling.
• Sports Handle, 2.2.21 – Georgia Bill: Statewide Mobile Sports Betting, Remote Registration, And Data Mandate
  • Georgia Rep. Ron Stephens’ sports betting proposal is making its way through committee and will likely be the first to get any discussion in the state.
• SBC Americas, 2.3.21 – Georgia Sports Betting Bill Making Progress In The State House
  • A bill that would legalize sports betting in Georgia and give tax revenue to the state lottery is advancing in the State House, according to a report by the Associated Press, despite concerns that a state constitutional amendment would be required to get it over the line.

Arizona:

• Associated Press, 2.2.21 – Arizona To Embrace Sports Betting In Deal With Tribes
  • Arizonans would be allowed to bet on professional and college sports at tribal casinos and at sites owned by pro sports teams under a proposal that is part of an update to the state’s deal that allows Native American tribes to run casinos.
• iGB North America, 2.3.21 – Arizona Bill Would Allow Betting From Pro Sports Venues
  • Sports betting could be coming to Arizona after legislation was introduced that would significantly expand the state’s gambling sector and allow wagering from major sports venues.

Missouri:

• The Action Network, 2.2.21 – Missouri Sports Betting Hearing Underscores Conflict With Video Lottery Terminals
  • Missouri lawmakers, casinos and professional sports teams largely support sports betting legislation, but the prospects for legal wagering still depend on the debate surrounding video lottery terminals.
• Fox 2 Now, 2.2.21 – Push To Legalize Sports Betting In Missouri Senate
  • Three Republican senators filed similar bills to allow Missourians to make a bet on their favorite sports teams.
• Columbia Missourian, 2.2.21 – Legalizing Sports Gambling The Focus Of State Legislation
  • Two bills that would legalize sports gambling in Missouri, including on online platforms, were debated by state senators Tuesday.

Tennessee:

• TN Bets, 2.2.21 – TN Bill Would Increase Potential Fines Against Sportsbooks
  • Legislation in the Tennessee House and Senate would increase some fines related to sports betting. Under House Bill 133, the Tennessee Education Lottery would be required to essentially double the fines for a licensed operator accepting wagers “from minors or other persons ineligible to place wagers.”

Michigan:

• Detroit Free Press, 2.2.21 – Don’t Bank On Using Credit, Debit Card For Online Gambling In Michigan
  • Outfits are now taking online bets in Michigan, with the Michigan Gaming Control Board approving it last month for the first 10 casinos and their online platform partners and the promise of more to come.
• MI Bets, 2.2.21 – PokerStars Hits The Ground Running In Michigan, Its Third State
  • PokerStars Michigan, which launched Friday a week after online casinos and online sportsbooks hit Wolverine State cyberspace, is currently the only legal poker site in the state.

Illinois:

• PlayIllinois, 2.2.21 – 3 Reasons Why Illinois Sports Betting Handle Plateaued In November
  • The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) released November sports betting revenue numbers this week. And once again, Illinois set another monthly record for handle.

Nebraska:

• Sports Handle, 2.2.21 – Nebraska Sports Betting Conversation Pits Legend Osborne Vs. Most Everyone Else
  • Nebraska football legend Tom Osborne continued his crusade to keep gambling on college sports from becoming legal during a legislative hearing in Nebraska Monday, but he was speaking against some very vocal advocates.

Iowa:

• KIWA Radio, 2.2.21 – Sports Betting Expanding In Iowa With The Big Game On Horizon
  • The Iowa sports gambling market is rapidly expanding as the biggest game in sports is set for this coming weekend.