Industry News of the Day for March 23, 2020

iDEA Growth Member News:

• PlayPennsylvania, 3.20.20 – Mobile Apps, Diversification Key For Sports Betting Operators To Weather The Storm (888 Holdings)
  • The sports world and sports betting industry are among the many feeling the dramatic effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. While the situation remains dynamic, we turned to an expert in the industry for some early projections on what potentially lies ahead for sportsbook and casino businesses.
• Online Poker Report, 3.20.20 – PokerStars Rolls Out Swap Hold’Em, But US Players Get Left Out Again
  • There are no doubt many online poker players in the US who’d love a chance to try out such games. Sadly, there are a few factors that make it unlikely you’ll see them rolled out on PokerStars sites in Pennsylvania or New Jersey in the near future. Regulatory hurdles are one problem.

Industry News:

• Sports Handle, 3.22.20 – Get A Grip: Coronavirus Impact On Sports Betting, Sportsbooks Edition
  • 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.
• US Bets, 3.20.20 – Nearly $74 Billion In Annual Wages At Risk By Casino Closures, American Gaming Association Says
  • As brick-and-mortar casinos across the country continue to close, the American Gaming Association, the gambling industry’s top trade group on Capitol Hill, released crucial and alarming information Thursday about the impact on workers and their families.
• Online Poker Report, 3.21.20 – Coronavirus Cancellations Highlight Need For Off-Season Sports Betting Options
  • With professional and collegiate sports suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, bettors are looking for other ways to scratch the itch. Unfortunately, it’s particularly slim pickings for regulated US sportsbooks at the moment.
• Gambling Compliance, 3.23.20 – Sports-Betting Vacuum Raises Player Protection Concerns (subscription paywall)
  • With online bookmakers desperate to retain bettors during the coronavirus epidemic, concerns are growing that player protection standards will fall by the wayside.
• Reno Gazette Journal, 3.20.20 – Sumo Wrestling? Rugby? Casinos Closed Due To Coronavirus, But Sports Betting Goes On
  • Most of the sports world is shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, but sports bettors who still need their action can bet online, even though casinos in Nevada are closed.

Sports League News:

• The Washington Post, 3.20.20 – Horse Racing Tracks Are Cashing In During Pandemic, But Some Workers Question The Cost
  • The NCAA, the NBA, the NHL and Major League Baseball have canceled or postponed competition to try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, but one American sport is persisting through the pandemic: horse racing.
• FOXBusiness, 3.20.20 – Despite Coronavirus, Horse Racing Still Running Events, Taking Bets
  • Many horse racing tracks remain open and are holding events as scheduled even after the coronavirus outbreak brought nearly all U.S. sports leagues to a standstill this month.
• PlayIndiana, 3.20.20 – Louisiana Derby Will Continue, With TV Coverage From TVG And NBC Sports
  • NBC Sports and TVG are looking to step up their horse racing coverage by teaming up for new “Trackside Live” broadcasts.

Pennsylvania:

• PlayPennsylvania, 3.20.20 – Louisiana Derby: No Spectators Allowed, But Place Your Bets Online In PA
  • Everything in the sports world is canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the Louisiana Derby is still on.
• PlayPennsylvania, 3.20.20 – Shutdown Illegal Gaming Devices For COVID-19 Concerns, PA Group Demands
  • Pennsylvania should immediately shut down games of skill to stem the spread of the coronavirus, an advocacy group called for on Friday.

New York:

• Gambling Compliance, 3.23.20 – New York’s Budget Deficit Prompting Lawmakers To Reconsider Sports Betting, Casinos (subscription paywall)
  • Empire State lawmakers pushing mobile sports betting and New York City casino licenses have said the coronavirus-driven economic crisis strengthens their case, but the timing of legislation remains unclear amid the public health emergency.

Michigan:

• The Detroit News, 3.20.20 – Casinos Want Bailout, Says Shutdown Affects 19,681 Employees In Michigan
  • All of Michigan’s 26 casinos, including MGM Grand, Greektown and MotorCity in Detroit, now have closed because of the global coronavrius outbreak, costing the properties collectively more than $1 billion if they remain shut for the eight weeks recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kentucky:

• PlayIndiana, 3.20.20 – New Poll Suggest Kentucky Residents Strongly Support Legal Sports Betting
  • In this year’s Kentucky legislative session, sports betting has been a hot topic. House Bill 137 would legalize sports betting, online poker, and other fantasy gaming in the state.

Florida:

• Legal Sports Report, 3.20.20 – Sun Sets On Legislative Session Without Florida Sports Betting Deal
  • Another legislative session ended last week without a deal to legalize Florida sports betting.

Nevada:

• Gambling Compliance, 3.23.20 – Casino Shutdown Projected To Cost Las Vegas Economy Almost $40BN (subscription paywall)
  • The closure of the state’s gaming industry will cost the southern Nevada economy an estimated $38.9bn, according to the Nevada Resort Association (NRA).

Oklahoma:

• News On 6, 3.20.20 – Oklahoma Tribe Says Online State Lottery Violates Tribal Gaming Compacts
  • One of Oklahoma’s tribes says an online state lottery game violates the gaming compacts between tribes and the state.

California:

• San Francisco Chronicle, 3.22.20 – Coronavirus Halts California Ballot Measure Signature-Gathering In Its Tracks
  • Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order will not only keep people off the streets, but also could keep some initiative measures off the November ballot.