Industry News of the Day for May 27, 2021
iDEA Growth Members News:
- Sports Handle, 5.26.21: Connecticut Senate Sends Sports Betting Bill To Governor (DraftKings and FanDuel mentioned)
- There was plenty of drama swirling around the Connecticut General Assembly late into the night on Tuesday, but fortunately, it was only tangentially related to the bill that gives legislative approval to a state-tribal gaming compact that will allow for statewide mobile sports betting and iGaming.
Overall Industry:
- CNBC, 5.26.21: William Hill Sportsbook Debuts, Bringing Sports Betting Inside A U.S. Stadium
- The William Hill Sportsbook opened Wednesday inside the Capital One Arena in Washington, marking the first sportsbook to operate inside of a U.S. arena. The development shows the “breathtaking” change in the relationship between sports leagues and team ownership and sport betting companies over the past several years, said Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment.
New York:
- Legal Sports Reports, 5.26.21: Why Offshore Sportsbook Bovada Is Pulling Out Of New York
- Bovada, one of the largest offshore sportsbook operators, is pulling out of New York. In an email to customers last week, Bovada said it would stop taking bets from NY on June 21. The operator said the decision was prompted by the forthcoming legal NY sports betting market.
Ohio:
- Action Network, 5.26.21: Ohio Sports Betting Bill Continues to Tread Water After Latest Hearing
- Ohio lawmakers took no action on a much-discussed sports betting bill Wednesday after more gaming entities and sports organizations testified during another gaming committee hearing.
- Legal Sports Report, 5.27.21: Third Ohio Sports Betting Bill Hearing Brings More Suggested Changes
- Ohio sports betting might have its first bettor set following the most recent hearing for SB 176. The Senate Select Committee on Gaming heard testimonies from six parties Wednesday, all in support of sports betting in Ohio but suggesting minor adjustments. The committee also received two written testimonies, including one opponent.
California:
- KCRA, 5.26.21: Could California Voters Weigh In On A Proposal To Legalize Sports Betting?
- Voters in California could get a chance to weigh in on legalizing sports betting in the state. Wednesday was the deadline for counties to submit verified signatures to the Secretary of State that could make a proposed constitutional amendment eligible for the November ballot in 2022.
Connecticut:
- SBC, 5.26.21: Governor Lamont Welcomes Bipartisan Vote Ushering In Connecticut Sports Betting
- Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has welcomed last night’s bipartisan vote in the State Senate giving final legislative approval to a bill that will legalize online gaming and sports wagering in the state. If all goes to plan, policy makers anticipate a start date of September 9 in time for the first day of the NFL season.
Michigan:
- MI Bets, 5.26.21: Michigan Expects Online Poker Liquidity Sharing Deal In 2021
- Online poker began earlier this year in Michigan, and it’s currently a two-horse race for market share between BetMGM and PokerStars. Unfortunately, Michigan doesn’t release revenue data for online poker like other states so we don’t know how they are doing.
Illinois:
- Play Illinois, 5.26.21: What Is The Illinois Lottery Sports Wagering Pilot Program?
- Somewhat of an afterthought included in the Sports Wagering Act a few years ago was the lottery sports wagering pilot program.
Pennsylvania:
- Trib Live, 5.26.21: Editorial: Be Realistic About Public Benefits Of Online Sports Betting
- Online sports betting is quite the growth industry. Watch a professional athletic competition on TV and you are likely to see more gambling commercials than you will the old reliables such as cars, beer and snack food.