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.
More of the most important stories
OOPS!: Bettor says two checks for winning bets from MGM have bounced. [KTNV]
AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE: Iowa sportsbooks are pushing for an August launch. [US Bets]
BIG PAYOUT: The Oregon Lottery projects it will pay SBTech $26.8 mm over three years. [OregonLive]
ODDS ON LA: Despite a lousy season in 2019, oddsmakers like the Lakers for next season. [LAT]
VIRTUAL REALITY: NBA announces it will launch a virtual sports betting game next season. [US Bets]
OPEN DOOR: Will mobile sports betting pave the way for other kinds of online gaming? [NJOnlineGambling]
My new sports betting philosophy… 😀 -via Leticia Hernandez- pic.twitter.com/6RdwVhUxm4
— Chris Wyatt (@coachatx) June 20, 2019
NOT SO SMALL BALL: Will legal sports betting be a boon for CWS? [RotoGrinders]
GOOD BET: CBS exec explains why he thinks sports betting is a good bet. [SportsInk]
GROW UP: ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt says, “Let’s all be adults about sports betting.” [SI]
GET EDUCATED: There’s plenty U.S. sports betting operators can learn from U.K. peers. [CDCGamingReports]
RAT PACK: Villa Harrah estate, where Rat Pack used to hang out, is for sale. [Forbes]
WE LOVE IT! MLS is ready to embrace sports betting … and maybe expand to Vegas. [SportTechie]
One year ago, I placed New Jersey’s first legal sports bets @MonmouthPark. Today, our gaming industry is booming. Next step: becoming the premier sports betting destination and the intellectual and tech capital of online sports wagering in the U.S. #AASBS2019 pic.twitter.com/fQHGtdCjNA
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 18, 2019
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
ICYMI from Sports Handle
Poof! New York’s mobile sports betting dreams go up in smoke.
Mississippi’s revenue report reveals not unexpected dip in handle.
Maine poised to legalize sports betting with ‘free market’ model.
State of the states: There’s no template for legal sports betting.
Sports betting bill passes New York Senate, but mobile discussion continues.
Proposed D.C regulations: No betting on local college teams.
