Industry News of the Day for March 2, 2020
iDEA Growth Member News:
- Gambling Compliance, 3.2.20 – Online-Only Licenses, Ad Restrictions In Massachusetts Sports-Betting Bill (subscription paywall)
- The likes of Boston-based DraftKings could apply for one of five online-only licenses for sports wagering under a keenly anticipated bill released on Friday by a Massachusetts legislative committee.
- Online Poker Report, 2.28.20 – Stars Group Revenue Soars, Even As Online Poker Keeps Losing Altitude
- The Stars Group (TSG) published strong Q4 and 2019 full-year financial results on Thursday. Its annual revenues grew by about $500 million, while net earnings turned from a loss in 2018 into a profit of $62 million.
Industry News:
- Sports Handle, 2.28.20 – Get A Grip: Virginia On Track, Around The Horn In U.S., Notable Sports Betting Industry Stories
- Here’s the weekend Sports Handle item, “Get a Grip,” recapping the week’s top stories, highlighting some fresh news and rounding up key stories in the world (and industry) of legal U.S. sports betting.
- Gambling Compliance, 2.28.20 – Sports-Betting Bills Advance In Kansas, Virginia (subscription paywall)
- The Kansas Senate has passed a sports-betting bill favorable to the state’s casinos, setting up a clash with a competing House measure that envisions a broader role for the state lottery and major sports leagues.
- Bloomberg, 2.28.20 – Gaming Giant Gets New Compliance Chief As Sports Betting Spreads
- Penn National Gaming Inc. hired a new chief compliance officer this month, just weeks after the North American casino and racetrack operator pushed further into the sports betting market.
- NJ Online Gambling, 2.28.20 – FanDuel Crossover Customers Fueled Major Growth In 2019
- Of FanDuel Group’s 350,000 sports betting customers, 42% have migrated from their daily fantasy sports database, the company announced Thursday as part of its 2019 financial highlights.
Federal News:
- Gambling Compliance, 2.28.20 – New Hampshire Lottery Vendor Requests Oral Arguments In Landmark Wire Act Case (subscription paywall)
- The online vendor for the New Hampshire Lottery Commission is asking a federal court in Boston to schedule oral arguments on an appeal by the U.S. Department of Justice which could determine the future of internet gambling.
Sports League News:
- Legal Sports Report, 3.2.20 – The PGA Tour Launches A Golf Betting Site: What You Need To Know
- The PGA Tour has taken another step into the sports betting space with the launch of betting content site GolfBet.com.
Washington:
- Sports Handle, 3.2.20 – Washington Sports Betting Bill Excluding Mobile Wagering May Head To Senate Floor
- The question of whether or not Washington lawmakers should approve sports betting on tribal gaming premises only versus a more inclusive online model was debated Friday when the Senate Ways and Means Committee heard testimony from 16 stakeholders.
- The Seattle Times, 2.28.20 – Opponents Of Tribal-Only Sports Gambling Legislation Vow To Spend Millions To Block It From Becoming Law
- As public hearings opened Friday ahead of sending an emergency sports gambling bill for the state’s Native American tribal casinos to a final Senate vote, opponents vowed to launch a fight that stretches far beyond legislative discussions.
- Law360, 2.28.20 – Casino Phone Game Maker Wants Redo Of 9th Decision (subscription paywall)
- Casino phone game developer High 5 Games LLC wants Washington’s Supreme Court to decide whether its apps constitute “gambling” under Evergreen State law, potentially undoing a controversial Ninth Circuit ruling that sent shock waves through the mobile gaming industry by answering that question with a “yes.”
Massachusetts:
- Gambling Compliance, 3.2.20 – US Appeals Court Denies Mashpee Casino Challenge (subscription paywall)
- The U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston has upheld a lower court ruling to overturn a land-into-trust designation for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, a decision that could clear the way for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) to move forward with the state’s third commercial casino.
- Boston Globe, 2.28.20 – Sports Betting Would Be Legal Under Bill Moving Ahead In Mass. Legislature
- Massachusetts casinos and a handful of online operators would be allowed to offer betting on college and professional athletic events under new legislation state lawmakers advanced Friday, a major step in the pursuit of legalized sports wagering within the state’s borders.
- The Herald News, 2.28.20 – New Bill To Legalize Sports Betting In Massachusetts Advances
- Adults in Massachusetts would be able to bet on professional and Division I college sports in person and through web or mobile apps under legislation released Friday by a legislative panel that’s been studying sports betting for a year.
Connecticut:
- Fox 61, 3.1.20 – The Real Story: Sports Betting In Connecticut?
- State lawmakers are considering two bills to bring sports betting to Connecticut.
Michigan:
- MLive, 2.28.20 – Sports Betting Coming To Northern Michigan Casinos In Time For 2020 Football Season
- The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians announced this week that it plans to bring sports betting to its two Northern Michigan casinos.
Illinois:
- Sports Handle, 3.2.20 – Two More Illinois Casinos Approved For Sports Betting
- The Illinois Gaming Board on Friday released the names of two more casinos to receive a temporary operating permit for sports betting, raising the number of permits granted to five overall.
- Chicago Sun Times, 2.29.20 – More Illinois Casinos Line Up For Sports Betting Licenses With Industry Launch Looming
- Three more Illinois casinos and a downstate racetrack have applied for sports betting licenses, bringing the number of would-be sportsbooks to a lucky seven as the newly legal industry appears poised to launch across the state in the weeks ahead.
Missouri:
- The Joplin Globe, 2.28.20 – Sports Betting Back On Table In Missouri
- As neighboring states such as Iowa, Illinois and Arkansas legalize sports betting, some state lawmakers hope this is the year Missouri gets in the game.
Iowa:
- PlayIA, 2.28.20 – Portion Of Iowa Sports Betting Revenue May Fund Emergency Medical Services
- One of the most common, consistent points made by supporters of sports betting legalization has been tax revenue and the causes it can support.
Georgia:
- Gambling Compliance, 2.28.20 – Georgian Legislators Pushing For Advertising Restrictions (subscription paywall)
- Georgian legislators are lining up to introduce gambling restrictions, as the country grapples with growing concerns on underage gambling and crime associated with the industry.
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2.29.20 – Opinion: Should GA Legalize Sports Betting?
- As lawmakers consider enacting sports wagering, they must balance fiscal upsides with potential for problems.
- Georgia Recorder, 3.2.20 – State Senate Set To Consider Legalizing Online College And Pro Sports Betting
- Some Georgia lawmakers say it’s time for the state’s education programs to get a piece of the sports betting action by making it legal.
- The Georgia Voice, 3.1.20 – ATL Sports CEOs Speak In Favor Of Sports Betting
- From the incipience of gambling with the mob gangsters of boxing fights in Vegas to the famous horse betting races at the Kentucky Derby, sports betting has always been a part of American culture.
Alabama:
- iGB North America, 3.2.20 – New Alabama Bill Targets Legal Sports Betting
- Alabama’s House of Representatives is to run the rule over a new bill that aims to legalize land-based and mobile sports wagering in the US state.
Wyoming:
- Legal Sports Report, 2.28.20 – Wyoming Sports Betting Bill Fails In House Vote
- A bill to legalize sports betting in Wyoming failed in a vote on the House floor Friday.
- iGB North America, 3.2.20 – Wyoming Sports Betting Bill Fails After Narrow Defeat In House
- The Wyoming House of Representatives has narrowly voted against a bill that had aimed to legalize online and mobile sports wagering in the US state.
Nevada:
- Legal Sports Report, 2.28.20 – Nevada Mobile Betting Splits Show Cost Of In-Person Registration
- Mobile accounted for 56% of Nevada sports betting revenues in January, as the regulator published the mobile-retail split for the first time.
- US Bets, 2.28.20 – Nevada Releases First Online Sports Betting Figures
- On Friday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board released figures showing the first ever breakdown between retail and online/mobile sports wagering in the state.
- iGB North America, 3.2.20 – Nevada Sports Betting Revenue Reaches $20.2M In January
- Sports wagering revenue in Nevada climbed 36.0% year-on-year to $20.2m in January, while statewide casino gaming revenue was also up 5.5% to $1.04bn.
Oregon:
- Gambling Compliance, 3.2.20 – Oregon Lottery Expecting Loss Amid College Betting Ban
- The Oregon Lottery confirmed Friday that it will lose money on the agency’s mobile sports-betting app for the fiscal year ending June 30, a change from initial predictions that legal wagering would produce a $6.3m profit in its first year.
Pennsylvania:
- Penn Bets, 2.28.20 – PA Gaming Board Improves Its Problem Gambling Guidance Through New Website
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched a new problem gambling website with more information and resources for individuals who may be suffering from over-indulging.
- KYW, 3.1.20 – New App From Philly Offers Sports Betting With A Social Media Twist
- It’s a social network for sports bettors. That’s the premise of a new app that originated in Philadelphia.
Maryland:
- CBS Baltimore, 2.29.20 – Maryland Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Educate Youth On Potential Risks Of Gambling
- A Maryland bill that would allow lessons on the risks associated with gambling — including addiction prevention — to be added to the high school health curriculum passed in the state Senate on Feb. 21.
West Virginia:
- PlayWV, 2.28.20 – WV Online Sports Betting And The Greenbrier Grabbing The Momentum
- The West Virginia sports betting market saw figures reduce back down after calculating all of the wagers from Super Bowl LIV. WV sportsbooks totaled just over $8.8 million in betting handle for the week of Feb. 15.