Industry News of the Day for June 5, 2020

iDEA Growth Member News:

• PlayColorado, 6.4.20 – Bet365-Century Casinos Partnership Brings More Live Betting To Colorado
  • The partnership between bet365 and Century Casinos is an intriguing one.
• PlayMichigan, 6.4.20 – DraftKings Sportsbook Coming To Michigan With Bay Mills Casino Deal
  • It seemed like only a matter of time that DraftKings Sportsbook would announce its entry into the Michigan sports betting market.

Industry News:

• PlayUSA, 6.4.20 – Legal Online Gambling Seen In A New Light In Aftermath Of Shutdowns
  • Legalized sports betting in America has grown rapidly over the past two years, particularly online. Without question, it will follow the same trend over the next two years. And the acceptance of online gaming — sports betting, casino and poker — will help states capitalize even more.
• Sports Handle, 6.4.20 – Can eSports And Virtual Sports Chart New Paths After Moment In Sun?
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, eSports and virtual sports have proven to be a curious entity in the sports wagering world with a lack of traditional options available.
• Courthouse News Service, 6.4.20 – Before COVID Bust, Sports Betting Brought Casinos A Banner Year
  • Commercial gaming revenue shot up to $43.6 billion last year for the fifth year in a row, the American Gaming Association reported Wednesday, touting new sports-gambling permissions sweeping the country as having doubled earnings for operators in that sector.

Sports League News:

• ESPN, 6.4.20 – The NBA Is On Its Way Back: What It Means For Your Betting Ticket
  • The NBA passed its proposal to return to play on Thursday.
• Gambling Compliance, 6.5.20 – Can Fixed-Odds Prolong The Renaissance Of U.S. Horseracing? (subscription paywall)
  • Like a fading movie star given a big role for a comeback, the U.S. horseracing industry is enjoying a renaissance during the pandemic.
• Baseball America, 6.4.20 – In-Game Betting Gives Baseball Unique Opportunity
  • As the sports betting market continues to grow nationwide with the opening of sportsbooks in about a dozen states and over 40 states moving toward the legalization of sport betting, baseball sits uniquely poised as a growth market.
• Front Office Sports, 6.4.20 – Professional Bowlers Association Brings Sports Betting To Events
  • When the Professional Bowling Association returns to the lanes on June 6 for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to live events, it will come with a new twist – sports betting.

Illinois:

• Sports Handle, 6.4.20 – Pritzker Suspends In-Person Registration Requirement For Illinois Mobile Sports Betting
  • Sports bettors in the state of Illinois may have easy access to mobile sports wagering much sooner than expected, thanks to an executive order issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday.
• Gambling Compliance, 6.5.20 – Illinois Governor Suspends Sports Betting In-Person Registration Requirement (subscription paywall)
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker late Thursday issued an executive order suspending a requirement for players to register in person for mobile sports wagering accounts, opening the door for remote registration at least a year and a half ahead of schedule.
• Gambling.Com, 6.5.20 – Illinois Governor’s Order Could Boost Mobile Sports Betting
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued an executive order making it easier for mobile sports bettors to register online without visiting a casino.

New Jersey:

• PlayNJ, 6.4.20 – New Jersey Gaming News: Will AC Casinos See Fireworks On July Fourth?
  • Another week passes and Atlantic City casinos remain closed.

Pennsylvania:

• Online Poker Report, 6.4.20 – Pennsylvania Casinos Begin Reopening Next Week; New Jersey’s Likely Next Month
  • Pennsylvania could have joined the list of states with live gambling this week, but casinos in the state have decided to wait a few more days.
• PlayPennsylvania, 6.4.20 – PA Gaming Review: Casinos Ready To Reopen, Sports Teams Speak Out Against Racism
  • The past week in Pennsylvania gaming news brought baby-steps toward reopening casinos. Three of 12 will welcome guests next week with a slew of precautions.
• PlayPennsylvania, 6.4.20 – And They’re Off, Well, Nearly: Horse Racing In PA Awaits Approved Safety Protocols
  • Technically, based on the color-coding of regions due to the pandemic precautions by Gov. Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania’s three thoroughbred and three harness tracks all could re-open on Friday, June 5.

Washington, D.C.:

• Sports Illustrated, 6.4.20 – Gambling Today: D.C. Sports Betting Is A Joke
  • Unfair odds and technical issues are plaguing the newly-launched sports betting mobile apps in Washington D.C.

Iowa:

• Radio Iowa, 6.5.20 – Regulators Approve Betting On eSports Games, eSports Casino Betting Denied
  • The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved betting on Esports through contests — but not at the state’s casinos.
• Radio Iowa, 6.5.20 – Iowa Lawmakers Ban Credit Cards For Sports Wagering
  • The Iowa legislature has voted to forbid the use of credit cards for wagering on sporting events through Iowa-based casinos. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines says that’s a big deal.
• PlayIA, 6.4.20 – The Flag Is Raised: Prairie Meadows Racetrack Starts Racing June 19
  • The racing action in Altoona will resume shortly, although it will look and sound different. The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (IRGC) gave the final regulatory clearance to a revised Prairie Meadows racing schedule.

Colorado:

• PlayColorado, 6.4.20 – First Month Of Colorado Sports Betting Generates $25.5M In Wagers
  • Colorado’s online sportsbooks took $25.5 million in bets for May, according to state officials.
• The Action Network, 6.5.20 – SBK Sportsbook Enters United States Betting Market With Colorado Launch
  • The SBK sportsbook app, powered by Smarkets betting exchange, launched in Colorado on Thursday after partnering with casino operator Full House Resorts in 2019.
• PlayColorado, 6.4.20 – Smarkets Serving Up SBK Sportsbooks As New CO Betting App Option
  • As the Colorado sports betting market steams into its second month, the number of options for Coloradans continues to grow. SBK Sportsbook is the latest addition to the fold.

Oklahoma:

• Gambling Compliance, 6.5.20 – Oklahoma Supreme Court Asked To Rule On Governor’s Ability To Expand Gaming (subscription paywall)
  • As Governor Kevin Stitt maintains his position that the state’s tribal gaming compacts expired at the end of last year, Oklahoma’s two top legislative leaders stepped into the dispute on Thursday by asking the state’s Supreme Court to assume jurisdiction over a portion of a federal lawsuit.
• The Oklahoman, 6.5.20 – Legislative Leaders Want Oklahoma Supreme Court To Rule On Limits To Governor’s Authority
  • Leaders of the Oklahoma House and Senate on Thursday asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to step in and rule on whether Gov. Kevin Stitt has the authority to bind the state to gaming compacts that would authorize sports betting and other forms of gambling that are contrary to state law.
• Tulsa World, 6.4.20 – Hard Rock And Other Cherokee Casinos To Reopen Next Week
  • More than 12 weeks after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa will welcome guests again next week as the Cherokee Nation continues a phased reopening of its gaming locations, the tribe announced Thursday.