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 U.S. sports betting stories, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.
Top stories around our network this week
With the launch of the first mobile sportsbooks in New York last weekend, it’s clear the Empire State is going to occupy much of the sports betting industry’s consciousness for a while, at least until Florida gets settled and California advances on its journey toward legalization.
So, get used to a steady stream of content from New York, just like last week, and just like this week.
Is Midtown Manhattan now the sports betting capital of the world?
What’s next for online gambling in New York?
BetMGM set to join mobile sports betting fray in New York
Transactional volume and registrations dwarfed other state launches in NY’s opening weekend
NY sportsbooks will be tested in extracting long-term value as acquisition costs balloon
Online betting in New York will bite into New Jersey’s take, but is the threat overblown?
A lucky 13 ways to keep New Yorkers betting In New Jersey
Will NY bettors balk after Caesars’ outages? Probably not
Private industry leaders in Ontario are encouraged by New York’s online sports betting launch
PayNearMe cleared to manage payments for NY online gamblers
But what if there was a tie?
The Prisoner’s Dilemma Bowl almost cost FanDuel eight figures
Barstool to the rescue?
Portnoy becomes ally of FanDuel and DraftKings to pursue Florida referendum
Lingering lockout
MLB’s relationship with sports gambling stuck on pause
Can Colorado fix its problem gaming issues?
Colorado pledges to do problem gaming right, but what does that mean?
The PlayUp saga continues
Judge in Nevada sides for now with Laila Mintas in legal dispute between her and PlayUp execs
Another day, another lawsuit
Attorney who helped overturn PASPA files suit over tribal sports betting restriction in Washington
Down on the bayou
When will digital sports betting launch in Louisiana?
Alone on the Oregon trail
DraftKings to serve as official sportsbook of Oregon Lottery
Tennessee still feeling things out
Sports wagering regulator pleased with transition
Ever heard of breakage?
Revenues, which critics say should go to bettors, amount to an extra $40-$60 million a year
Meanwhile, in Canada…
PlayNow is offering hockey bettors the chance to win many additional prizes
PointsBet announces exclusive partnership with Trailer Park Boys
A look at legislation
While leadership in Kansas views legal wagering as a priority, lawmakers must be educated
Legislation to legalize iGaming seeks an 18% tax rate on adjusted gross receipts
Don’t expect many states to legalize iCasino in ’22, as sports betting remains focus for most
Atlantic City casino smoking ban bill revived
Second Atlantic City casino tax break bill passes in watered-down fashion
Bill signed into law this week ensures continuation of harness racing in New Jersey
Ready for launch?
PointsBet would become PA’s first new online sports/casino site since June
Revenue reports
Almost $11 billion wagered legally on sports in NJ in 2021
Maryland sportsbooks generate $16.5 million in handle for first month
Despite COVID issues and the rise of online play, the three Detroit casinos had a stellar 2021
Indiana bettors bounced back from November, with December hold rate the lowest in state history
Indiana casinos rebounded In December
Best of the best
30-year-old Pittsburgh bookmaker took down the Bookies Battle contest
Let’s make a deal
Caesars enters partnership with Michigan State
LPGA inks deal with British firm IMG Arena
Breaking ground
Cardinals likely to be first NFL team in U.S. to have an onsite wagering location
Winner, winner, more than chicken dinner
Circa set to pay out $11 million for NFL Survivor, Million III contests
Tribes: Card rooms using ‘veiled’ political ploy
California’s tribes responded to a lawsuit filed in December in which state card rooms are asking the Secretary of State to disallow a gaming ballot initiative, claiming that it breaks the state’s single-subject rule for initiatives. The lawsuit was brought by the Hollywood Park and Parkwest card rooms, which also have their own sports betting initiative they hope to get on the ballot.
A coalition of tribes already has approval for a retail-only sports betting proposal, the California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act, to be on the November ballot. It would allow for in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and horse racetracks, as well as allow the tribes to offer roulette and craps. The card room proposal would allow for statewide mobile wagering and would also allow card rooms to add additional games, which the tribes last week said made the lawsuit contradictory.
In their response to the lawsuit, the tribes wrote, “Petitioners’ challenge to this Initiative while supporting another measure that has the same combination of provisions — albeit tailored to the interests of the Cardrooms — is not only hypocritical, but further demonstrates that this Petition represents a veiled political attempt to gain an advantage for an alternative ballot measure.”
– Jill R. Dorson
Advocate opens RG/PG consulting firm
Longtime problem gambling advocate Brianne Doura-Schawohl announced this week that she has opened her own government relations shop, with a focus on “gambling policy, creating valued connections to drive policy initiatives into legislation, regulation, public health policies, and community action,” according to a press release. Doura-Schawohl previously worked for EPIC Risk Management and the National Council on Problem Gambling, and has had a hand in setting policy around problem gambling and responsible gambling in multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
“Federal and state governments have devoted little resources to the research, prevention, and providing treatment to people grappling with gambling problems despite the massive expansion of sports wagering and online betting,” Doura-Schawohl said via press release. “This is why I chose to launch Doura-Schawohl Consulting. The gaming industry is at an inflection point and I’d like to be able to say that I did everything I could to change it for the better.”
– Jill R. Dorson
Tipico Teams Up With MLS’s Crew in Ohio
Tipico has found a pro team to partner up with in Ohio once the Buckeye State goes live with sports betting. On Thursday, the sportsbook announced an agreement with the Columbus Crew to become the Major League Soccer franchise’s exclusive sports betting partner.
Per the terms of the deal, the current beer garden and VIP area at Lower.com Field will be renamed Tipico Beer Garden and the Tipico Club, respectively. And according to a press release, “Tipico and the Crew will also develop a wide variety of digital content and engagements, as well as joint community programming, as part of the partnership.”
To date, the Crew is Tipico’s lone pro sports partner in Ohio, where it was recently announced that Rush Street Interactive would be building out a retail sportsbook at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. It’s unknown at this time if Tipico has plans for a similar brick-and-mortar offering at Lower.com Field to augment its mobile platform.
– Mike Seely
More of the most important, interesting stories
OK BETTING?: Lawmaker files retail-only, tribal-only sports betting bill in Oklahoma [KOCO]
PRETTY PLEASE?: Small businesses ask Massachusetts senators to legalize sports betting [MassLive]
BIG JUMP: Montana bettors wagered $46 million in 2021 [FlatheadBeacon]
BRING ON CRYPTO: Trade organization’s members embracing cryptocurrency [CDCGaming]
Wynnbet paid me 100g’s for some social media. I’ll take 545 instead 💸 pic.twitter.com/IRBNwwUjOF
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 11, 2022
MAYBE NOT A PAL: Lawsuit filed against PayPal for fantasy sports funds [The Lines]
DERBY DEMOTION: Churchill Downs anticipating lawsuit from Bob Baffert [New York Times]
NO BUNGLES: Bettor could win $1 million if Bengals win Super Bowl [Yahoo! Sports]
NEW BOSS: Lazarus named CEO of HISA [BloodHorse]
GETTING READY: With sports betting coming, Hollywood Casino Toledo expands [WTOL]
PARTNERS: Learfield and U.S. Integrity will join forces for BetDetect [Learfield]
NEW HIRE: Gabriel joins GeoComply as senior director of Global Markets [GeoComply]
