Industry News of the Day for July 1, 2019

Industry News:

• The Kansas City Stat, 6.29.19 – The Challenges And Potential Of Legalized Sports Betting In Kansas And Missouri
  • Today, yesterday, and tomorrow thousands of people in both states will place sports bets. Those bets are technically illegal, but rarely punished, the money leaking across borders without regulation, oversight or (most importantly) being taxed.

New Jersey:

• The New York Times, 6.29.19 – Move Over, Nevada: New Jersey Is The Sports Betting Capital Of The Country
  • Bettors wagered more in New Jersey than in any other state in May, surpassing Nevada and its large Las Vegas sports books.
• NJ Online Gambling, 6.28.19 – Did New Jersey Sports Betting Really Surpass Nevada’s Handle In May?
  • The Garden State’s sports betting industry turned a year old earlier this month, a milestone for the state that fought, and won, against the sports leagues in defeating the 1992 federal law known as PASPA. NJ is approaching $3 billion in total bets since legal sports betting began.

California:

• Sports Handle, 6.28.19 – California Lawmakers Pushing To Let Voters Decide On Legal Sports Betting
  • It seems that nearly every state in the union has one sports betting champion. California’s is Adam Gray (21st District).
• Forbes, 6.30.19 – Proposed California Sports Betting Bill Likely To Face Tribal Opposition
  • Sports betting legislation has once again been proposed in the country’s most populous state as two California politicians presented a new bill for consideration Thursday.

Illinois:

• NPR Illinois, 6.28.19 – Prizker Signs $45 Billion Infrastructure Plan; Legalizes Sports Betting
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday signed into law a long-awaited $45 billion infrastructure plan. Illinois also joined 16 other jurisdictions, including D.C., in legalizing sports betting.
• Chicago Sun Times, 6.28.19 – With Sports Gambling Now Legal In Illinois, The Charade Is Finally Over
  • On Friday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a $45 billion capital plan that includes sports betting. It means bettors soon will be able to go to a casino, a racetrack or a sports stadium and place wagers on their favorite teams. Some online betting might be available within a year.

Washington, D.C.:

• The Washington Post, 6.28.19 – Most Of The Districts $215 Million Sports Gambling Contract To Benefit Companies With Ties To City Hall
  • States that have legalized sports gambling have typically relied on seasoned operators of casinos, overseas sportsbooks or online fantasy leagues to launch their betting markets. But in the nation’s capital, the majority of a contract to oversee sports wagering — worth up to $215 million over five years — would go to a handful of local companies without an extensive record in the industry, under a deal pending approval before the D.C. Council.

Arkansas:

• Legal Sports Report, 6.28.19 – State No. 9 With Sports Betting? Arkansas Wagering May Start Next Week At Oaklawn
  • Earlier this month, the Arkansas Racing Commission approved Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort to begin accepting wagers July 1, according to several local media reports.

Indiana:

• Greensburg Daily News, 6.29.19 – Online Sports Gambling Looms
  • It’s been more than a month since Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1015, opening the door to legal online sports betting in Indiana.
• Fox 59, 6.29.19 – Hoosier Lottery To Study Effectiveness Of Online Games
  • The Hoosier Lottery is set to consider whether players in Indiana should be allowed to purchase tickets online for Powerball, Mega Millions and instant games, which could provide millions of dollars in gambling revenue as in bordering states.

Tennessee:

• Bristol Herald Courier, 6.29.19 – Online Sports Betting Legal In Tenn. On Monday, But Hold Off On Wagers
  • Online sports betting becomes legal in Tennessee on Monday, but you won’t be able to place a wager from your smartphone just yet.

Federal News:

• Gambling Compliance, 7.1.19 – The Mystery Of Attorney General Barr’s Position On Wire Act Appeal
  • What once seemed inevitable is becoming less certain with each passing day as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) mulls whether to appeal the ruling of a federal judge in New Hampshire on internet gambling and the Wire Act of 1961.

Overall Industry News:

• Sports Handle, 6.28.19 – Sara Slane Leaving AGA To Start Own Advisory Firm
  • American Gaming Association Vice President of Public Affairs Sara Slane will be no longer be the face of the sports betting industry. The organization announced Friday that Slane, 39, is moving on to start her own strategic advisory firm with a focus on advising sports and media companies about gaming.
• Law 360, 6.28.19 – Fantasy Users Likely To Place Sports Bets, Vice Versa: Study [subscription pay wall]
  • Despite some concerns after the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for sports betting that it would overshadow fantasy sports, the businesses appear tied at the hip according to new research released by the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association this Friday.