It’s information overload everywhere, and there’s not time enough to sleep and eat and stay fully apprised of what’s happening on this crazy blue dot of ours (two out of three ain’t bad).
Here’s the weekend Sports Handle item, “Get a Grip,” recapping the week’s top stories and rounding up key stories in legal sports wagering, gaming, and the world of sports at large. You may have missed them, and they are worth reading.
California dreaming
A lot of familiar faces (and bodies) and some fresh blood appeared in Sacramento this week for a conversation about legal sports betting in the Golden State. The usual tango ensued — read the breakdown with some quotes here.
There’s a lot of competing interests in California and it seems unlikely, especially with state constitution concerns, that a bill reaches the finish line this year. At least there is wide recognition that it is axiomatic to include mobile sports betting in any legislation. Speaking of…
Elsewhere in California, you may recall that in November, a coalition of at least 18 tribes filed a proposal for a constitutional amendment that would be placed on the November 2020 ballot. The proposal takes the state general assembly out of the equation and would put the decision directly in the hands of voters — whether to allow legal sports wagering on tribal grounds, with no online/mobile sports betting statewide.
This week the Attorney General’s office reviewed the proposal and produced a fiscal impact statement regarding its potential impact. You can read it here.
A couple items of note:
This measure amends the State Constitution, as well as state law, to authorize sports wagering-beginning January 1, 2022-at (1) tribal casinos on tribal lands if authorized by their tribal-state compacts and (2) the state’s existing racetracks. However, the measure prohibits sports wagering on high school games, events in which a California college team is a participant, and games that have already occurred.
Imposes a Sports Wagering Tax. The measure imposes a 10 percent tax on horse racing tracks offering sports wagering. The tax is applied to the amount of sports wagers made daily after deducting any payouts of winnings. Under the measure, collected tax revenues will be deposited into a new special fund, the California Sports Wagering Fund (CSWF)..
So, it would take a while, and would lack a mobile sports betting component entirely. Refer back to the legislature’s hearing summary for how that might go over.
Maine dish
We left Maine last summer on the edge of a cliff when Governor Janet Mills demurred on what most neutral observers and rational people regarded as a great, consumer-friendly bill to allow legal sports betting.
Given a quirk in Maine’s legislative calendar, the current 129th session expires Friday night at 11:59 p.m. What that means, according to Maine sports and gaming law attorney Steve Silver, is that Mills has until Friday turns into Saturday to sign, veto or leave it alone — and it would pass into law with her omission.
We’ll keep you posted. Check back later.
UPDATE:
#BREAKING: Governor Janet Mills has vetoed a bill that would legalize, tax and regulate sports betting in Maine: https://t.co/wdIYrgzXwC
— WPFO FOX23 (@FOX23Maine) January 10, 2020
In a statement, she said “respectfully, I remain unconvinced at this time that the majority of Maine people are ready to legalize, support, endorse and promote betting on competitive athletic event.” It passed unanimously in the House and by a 19-15 vote in the Senate #mepolitics
— Paul Dwyer (@PaulDwyerTV) January 10, 2020
Maine People: "Cool, we'll just keep heading out of State or betting offshore then" https://t.co/nsLOceCDwV
— The Public Money (@CoryWCrow) January 10, 2020
More of the most important stories
Interesting views of bettor player segments as @Matt_W_King said 9 of 10 players aquired in NJ were experienced bettors while @Sara_Slane said "There is going to be a whole player acclimation period that will have to occur" to educate new bettors. #CES2020 #sportsbetting pic.twitter.com/IZZEaRTa9p
— Daniel Kustelski (@djkustelski) January 8, 2020
SPEAKING UP: Let Georgians vote on gambling, House speaker says [AJC]
UP IN THE AIR: Tennessee officials say there’s no timeline for sports betting launch. [NewsChannel5]
HOT TOPIC: Virginia lawmakers to seriously discuss sports betting, legalizing casinos. [AP]
TRAINING: NJ seeks input to double down on skills for sports betting workforce [NJBiz]
How did I miss this? Jeff Ma moderated a panel yesterday called “The Future of Sports Betting”… FanDuel, MGM, FOX Bet, and Sara Slane on panel.
If someone finds recording please link… thx.
CES sports betting panel debates future of in-play wagering https://t.co/3Rmmwy69eE
— Alfonso Straffon 🇨🇷🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@astraffon) January 9, 2020
CUOMO DON’T CARE-O: NJ train stations are crossing the Hudson to make legal sports bets [Time]
READYING FOR TAKEOFF: Michigan sports betting map begins to take shape with FOX Bet, PointsBet [SH]
OFFICIAL LEAGUE NONSENSE: Pro leagues score with Michigan’s new sports betting law [Detroit News]
CARDIAC HAWKS: Seahawks games are the craziest: there’s data to prove it [WSJ]
PARTNER UP: XFL inks bet monitoring deal with Genius Sports [Bloomberg]
And so it begins: the runner-up in disputed DraftKings "Millionaire Maker" contest, spclk36, has retained prominent attorney @amilst44. Milstein has litigated on behalf of Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Maurice Clarett & others. More on collusion dispute: https://t.co/1aV807Uo2E pic.twitter.com/FmYRMU5Sh2
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) January 8, 2020
Also around our network this week
Sports Betting Market Looks Rosier Than A Year Ago, Analysts Keep Increasing Projections
Bachelor Star Wins $1 Million On DraftKings, Collusion Allegations Fly
Clemson Seeks Legacy-Defining Win in CFP Championship Versus LSU
Kentucky Sports Betting Bills Filed, At Odds Over Betting On In-State College Teams
Indiana Passes $400 In Sports Betting Handle Since September Launch
NFL Weekend Betting Preview: Will Dogs Have Their Day In Divisional Round?
Ep. 73 of the Gamble On podcast is live! @EricRaskin and @BergenBrennan talk DK Milly Maker controversy, online sportsbooks in Michigan and New Jersey horse racing. Plus a conversation with RotoGrinders Director of Media @dan_back!
Listen here: https://t.co/Fu9Pmh3vwn pic.twitter.com/gZ4jue1uhN
— US Bets (@US_Bets) January 10, 2020
