Industry News of the Day for February 5, 2024
Industry News
- TheLines: GRIT Act: Super Bowl 58 Sparks Calls For Federal Problem Gambling Funding To Fuel Responsible Betting
- Let’s face it. With the rise of legal sports betting, Super Bowl gambling has evolved into a casual activity. Roughly 30% of Americans are expected to wager on the Big Game. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially with Taylor Swift entering the fold. However, cases of Super Bowl problem gambling will inevitably arise with an abundance of cash flowing into sportsbooks. The NFL partnered with the National Council on Problem Gambling in October 2021 for the sole purpose of providing financial support to prevent gambling addiction. Below are the best practices before and during the Super Bowl 58 odds — with help from industry experts.
Illinois
- Bonus.com: Illinois Online Casino Bill Moves Into House Gaming Committee
- As promised, Illinois Rep. Edgar Gonzalez Jr. made sure his Illinois online casino bill moved into a new committee. On Jan. 31, HB2239 entered the Gaming Committee. The Internet Gaming Act (IGA) sponsor has told Bonus he wanted to ensure House members discussed iGaming in 2024, even if they didn’t vote for it. Gonzalez, D-Chicago, carried the Illinois online casino bill over from 2023. So, this is the iGaming measure’s first movement in 2024. It’s also its second trip from the Rules Committee to the Gaming Committee.
Kansas
- SBC Americas: Kansas Bill Takes Aim At Online Sportsbook Advertising
- A new bipartisan bill in Kansas is seeking to take Rep. Paul Tonko’s approach to sports betting ads. SB432 seeks to prohibit advertising sports betting across online media and electric devices in the state, which would severely curb operators from their primary forms of marketing. Put forth by Republican Sen. Virgil Peck and Democratic Sen. Cindy Holscher, the legislation has been filed and referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs. The one-page bill seeks to add new language to existing law.
Massachusetts
- PlayMA: Here’s How MA Regulators Feel About Super Bowl Prop Bets
- This year’s Super Bowl will be the first since Massachusetts launched online sports betting in the Commonwealth. For sports bettors, the game usually comes with some of the most outlandish prop bets of the year. But in Massachusetts, regulators are putting a stop to some of them. As it stands now, bettors in Massachusetts cannot wager on some of the complete novelty props. For example, regulators banned bets on the length of the national anthem. They also prohibit wagers on the color of the gatorade that will shower the winning coach.
New Jersey
- PlayNJ: Jackpocket Online Casino Gets Green Light For Full Launch In New Jersey
- Jackpocket – an online lottery courier across the country, including New Jersey – online lottery courier, officially launched an online casino app for Garden State gamblers. Jackpocket Casino is now available within the NJ online casino industry through a partnership with Caesars Interactive, the company announced on Wednesday. Peter Sullivan, Jackpocket CEO and founder had this to say in a press release announcing the NJ online casino app: “This launch immediately expands Jackpocket’s entertainment offerings in New Jersey and will do the same for fans in other markets in the future.”
Ohio
- Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Governor, NCAA President Support Proposal To Ban Prop Bets On College Sports
- Ohio sports bettors may soon lose the ability to place prop bets on collegiate sports. The NCAA sent a letter to the Ohio Casino Control Commission Jan. 31 to request ending collegiate prop betting after months of discussions and reports of social media threats made to and about collegiate athletes. Bettors would still be allowed to place wagers on overall outcomes and final scores of collegiate games, including outright winners, over/under totals and spreads. These rule changes would not change prop bets involving professional sports contests.