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
Much has been made since January of New York’s entry into the online sports betting world, and rightfully so. It’s always helpful to allow a little time to give perspective to the numbers, though, and after more than a half-year, it’s clear that the Empire State has far surpassed former No. 1 state New Jersey in betting handle, and even more than that in industry revenue from sports wagers, and way, way more than that in tax collections for the state from the endeavor.
And those numbers come mostly without benefit of football, the most popular betting sport. Now that that season is getting underway, New York’s top regulator is optimistic that the state will quickly attain $500 million in tax revenue in the first year of mobile wagering, rather than waiting several years as had been projected. Helping support that notion is that New York has seen four straight weeks of increased betting handle, putting in the rearview mirror the sportsbook doldrums of early summer.
While the New York-New Jersey area is absolutely pivotal in the full scheme of sports betting operations these days, our network of sites goes far beyond it in covering industry trends, as our stories of the past week indicate.
Live/micro grow for bettors, but for the better?
Is in-game sports betting the future, or the slipperiest of slopes?
Oh, so that’s how they did it
How Caesars created the emperor’s sports betting groove
Look, do you want my money or not?
Survey says: Gambling apps need to improve payment options
Wait, it’s been a year already, Canada?
Canada’s single-event wager-versary: A look back at this past year
Outdated study suggests problem gambling is under control in Canada
Meanwhile, in little ol’ California
Both major California political parties now oppose Proposition 27
Latest “Yes on 27” ad puts focus squarely on homelessness, mental health issues
That’s some laughable sports betting
BetMGM partners with comedy-driven content network Almost Friday Media
How to win at poker with cracked aces
Record bad beat poker jackpot hits for $1.2 million at Rivers Pittsburgh
Turn up the game, I’ve got a bet going
First approved applicants optimistic about impact of sports betting kiosks
Sorry, we don’t think you can handle it
Self-excluding from iGaming can mean unplanned ban on casino visits too
Kansas seems set for Sept. 1
According to a local media report, the Kansas attorney general signed off Tuesday on revisions of proposed temporary wagering rules from the Kansas Lottery. The requested revisions included asking the lottery to make it clear that wagering would be allowed on mobile platforms available throughout the state and not just on-site in sportsbooks. The attorney general also wanted revised language around advertising.
The lottery last week announced that it would launch sports betting Sept. 1, and operators around the state are moving forward with retail sportsbooks and prepping digital platforms. Proposed temporary rules from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which is a co-regulator with the lottery, were sent to the attorney general Aug. 17 for review and as of Friday, the KRGC has not heard back from the attorney general’s office.
Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel will all have retail locations and mobile platforms while Bally Bet, BetMGM, FOX Bet, and PointsBet will offer digital wagering only. Each of the state’s four casinos is entitled to up to three digital skins, or platforms, and this week Boot Hill Casino, which is already partnered with DraftKings and Bally Bet, also announced a mobile deal with Golden Nugget.
— Jill R. Dorson
Twelve express interest in Massachusetts
So far, a dozen potential sports betting operators have submitted Notices of Intent to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The agency will ultimately have up to 15 licenses to distribute, including one each to Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, and WynnBET, which already have market access through their existing casinos. Of those three, only WynnBET submitted its Notice of Intent as of Friday. The Raynham Park racetrack also submitted a notice, but Suffolk Downs has yet to do so.
The other operators and data providers to express interest are 888 (SI Sportsbook), Bally’s, BetFanatics, Betr, DraftKings, GAN Interactive, NYX Digital, PlayUp, PointsBet, and Sportradar. The state’s gaming commission has not indicated when sports betting could go live in Massachusetts under the law that was approved this month, but it has begun a series of stakeholder meetings to get input on regulations.
— Jill R. Dorson
Seminoles, Florida file in court over compact
The Florida Seminole Tribe filed an amicus brief with the D.C. Court of Appeals Wednesday, seeking to join a case in which the gambling compact between the tribe and state was struck down in court. A pair of Florida parimutuels successfully sued the U.S. Department of the Interior last year over its allowance of the compact.
The tribe is disputing a federal court ruling that held the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act prevented compact provisions that gave the Seminoles a monopoly on mobile sports betting by allowing wagers placed off of tribal lands to be routed through servers on tribal property. “The District Court’s interpretation of IGRA effectively erects a wall around tribal lands and prevents tribes from keeping pace with online advancements in the gaming industry,” the tribe argued in its filing.
The state of Florida is also seeking to become involved in the suit, with a filing noting “Florida has a substantial interest in reinstating the Compact. … It will produce revenue of approximately $2.5 billion for the State in the first five years and create thousands of jobs for Floridians.”
— John Brennan
BetMGM, BetRivers make broadcast moves
Both BetMGM and BetRivers made major announcements concerning their respective efforts to bring more sports betting content to America’s airwaves this week.
For starters, BetMGM expanded its partnership with the streaming video network SportsGrid, with BetMGM traders now set to appear on programs like Ferrall Coast to Coast, Pro Football Today, and In-Game Live Primetime.
As for BetRivers, it announced the launch of The Danny Mac Podcast, featuring veteran Chicago broadcaster Dan McNeil, on BetRivers Network. New episodes will be available each Monday and Thursday on most podcast apps, with the BetRivers Network airing a video version on YouTube. BetRivers also announced that longtime Pittsburgh sports radio personality Mark Madden would host a twice-weekly podcast, Mark Madden: Unfiltered, on the BetRivers Network every Tuesday and Thursday.
— Mike Seely
More of the most important, interesting stories
IT’S NOT ONLINE YET IN NEVADA, BUT ..: FanDuel approved to bring its brand to Las Vegas [CDC Gaming Reports]
GIVE ME UTAH STATE TO WIN IT ALL: The story behind the wildest college football bet of the offseason [ESPN.com]
THIS IS SOME SERIOUS PICKING: Las Vegas football contest menu: Circa faces $8M overlay [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
CONGRATS IF YOU BACKED THESE GUYS: Show me the money: Cameron Smith, Max Homa land best returns in 2022 [PGAtour.com]
"I’ve got my eye on some more trophies."
Newly crowned British Open champion Cameron Smith will make an emotional return home to Brisbane in November to contest the Australian PGA Championship.
Via @DarrenWalton369 https://t.co/0Btp89KhnX
— AAP Sport (@AAPSport) August 24, 2022
THANKS FOR LETTING US WATCH: Amazon and DirecTV reach multi-year deal for Thursday Night Football carriage [Deadline]
I BET IT’S NOT A JOKE: Carrot Top bets on Raiders to open Cosmo sportsbook [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
RIGHT THERE WITH YA, NEW YORK: As Deadwood sports betting nears one-year anniversary, NFL is “king” [Sioux Falls Argus Leader]
BUILDING DREAMS IN CALIFORNIA: Rain Rock Casino breaks ground on an exciting addition [KDRV.com]
