Get A Grip: Week In Sports And Sports Betting: PA Proof Money In Mobile

Iowa sportsbooks are pushing for August launch, MGM bounces two checks, and Williamson goes No. 1 in NBA Draft

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 sports betting, gaming, and the world of sports at large. You may have missed them, and they are worth reading.

SugarHouse takes in $570k in 3 days

If there are any lingering questions about how lucrative mobile sports betting can be, Pennsylvania’s Play SugarHouse app may have answered them … in just three days. The app was functional for less than 72 hours in May, and when the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released its revenue numbers earlier this week, they revealed that Play SugarHouse took $573k in bets. Amortized over a month, that would be $5.7 mm in handle … for just one mobile sportsbook.

Your Get a Grip author isn’t much of a math whiz, but even she can see that once all the licensed mobile apps in Pennsylvania are up and running, it won’t take long for mobile handle to eclipse the handle at bricks-and-mortar locations, and, as is expected, to shoot past New Jersey in mobile handle. Pennsylvania is the biggest state by population that is currently offering online sports betting — there are 12.8 mm residents as compared to 8.9 mm in New Jersey.

Overall, Pennsylvania sports bettors wagered $35.9 mm in May, a drop of 2.4% from April. Though the numbers are down, it’s not necessarily cause for concern — we’re coming into summer and a “down” part of the cycle for sports betting. Mississippi released its numbers this week, too, and its handle was also down.

In the wider world of sports

"I wouldn't be here without my mom. She did everything for me."

What a moment for Zion Williamson, who shed tears after being drafted No. 1 overall. #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/WBVSRPr04K

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2019

CROSSOVER: Ex-NBA star Tony Parker starts second chapter at financial planning firm. [StarTribune]

BYE-BYE, LAVAR: ESPN bans this Ball(er) after inappropriate comments. [SI]

DINGERS: The Twins, YES, the Twins, are poised to break MLB’s home run record. [WSJ]

MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Ex-Boston slugger David Ortiz wasn’t intended target in shooting. [NYT]

Democrats Unanimous As House Passes Bill Forcing Schools To Let Male Athletes Compete In Girls’ Sports https://t.co/8K5pC4VZTk

— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 21, 2019