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, gaming, and the world of sports at large. You may have missed them, and they are worth reading.
Rocky Mountain betting coming?
Colorado lawmakers aren’t wasting any time. After introducing HB 1327 on April 18, the CO sports betting bill has already passed through the House and is headed to the Senate for approval. The bill will start its journey in the Senate in the Finance Committee, though no hearing date has been set yet.
The House overwhelming approved the bill on Wednesday. It calls for a 10 percent tax rate and would allow voters to decide to legalize or not in November. According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, the bill would allow sports wagers at casinos, but not at the state’s one horse racetrack, Arapahoe Park. According to the story, the track does not want to host, so leaving it out should not be an impediment to legalizing.
The goal of the bill is to “eliminate the black market, which we know exists, and to create a competitive marketplace, but one that’s not too big that it can’t be effectively regulated by the Department of Revenue,” House Majority Leader Alec Garnett (D-District 2) told the Gazette.
Garnett estimates that Colorado would bring in $20 million in revenue in a mature market, and said that money would be earmarked for the state’s long-range water plan and for addiction gambling treatment.
The bill would limit the number of licenses to three facilities already “licensed to conduct limited gaming” and would allow online betting through operators associated with a licensed physical site.
Some of Colorado professional sports teams say they favor it only with “appropriate integrity provisions,” meaning they are likely backing the professional leagues’ desire to be paid an “integrity fee” or “royalty.”
More the most interesting, important stories
In the 11 months since PASPA was overturned, nearly $7.89 billion has been wagered legally on sports nationwide. $2.97 billion was been bet outside of Nevada. Sportsbook operators nationwide have generated $518.5 million in revenue and $55.3 million in state and local taxes.
— Sara Slane (@Sara_Slane) April 26, 2019
YOUR SIGNATURE, PLEASE: Iowa’s state legislature has sent a bill to the governor. [USBets]
YOUR SIGNATURE, TOO, PLEASE: With clock winding down, Indiana legislature brings spots betting bill across finish line [SH]
TO THE UPPER CHAMBER: House lawmakers approved a lottery bill. [USBets]
180: Shunned a year ago, leagues are now all-in [Concord Monitor]
APPROVED: The WV Lottery approved licenses for mobile apps, but still in limbo. [Gazette-Mail]
NEARLY NO. 1?: NJ Governor Phil Murphy says his state is on pace to “overtake” Nevada. [CDCGaming]
UP, BUT STILL DOWN: RI’s handle was up in March, but still below projections. [Providence Journal]
MARCH GLADNESS: NJ DGE reports three times as much betting for NCAAs as Super Bowl. [AP]
STERN SPEAKS: Former NBA commissioner David Stern weighs in. [News&Observer]
MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES: From sharps to casual fans, a look at seven betting personalities. [CDCGaming]
BETTER THAN EXPECTED: Sports betting in New Mexico is reportedly already paying off. [New Mexican]
NO JAIL TIME: A Massachusetts man who ran an illegal ring gets probation. [AP]
ICYMI from Sports Handle
Mobile, colleges key discussion points in Illinois.
Vote in New Hampshire Senate expected next month.
Spotlight moves from daily fantasy at BOSA.
Las Vegas’ SuperBook and SuperContest headed East.
Mississippi can thank March Madness for a bump in handle last month.
In the wider world of sports
BACK TO BACK!!!!! CONGRATS K1!!!! Well deserved my brotha!!! @TheKylerMurray
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) April 26, 2019
NO. 1: Arizona takes quarterback Kyler Murray with the first round in the NFL draft. [NFL]
MONEY MAKER: A look at the financial impact of Tiger Woods’ Masters’ win. [ESPN]
VIRTUAL REALITY? Why the Warriors hired a basketball coach for its e-sports team. [WSJ]
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION: Money a shoebox just tip of recruiting scandal. [NYTimes]
Longtime sports writer says in new book that Trump uses Secret Service to cheat at golf https://t.co/1wbk5xGEpP pic.twitter.com/Ny6ty83bXP
— The Hill (@thehill) April 26, 2019
