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.
Beale Street sports betting?
The “Home of the Blues” wants to be the home of sports betting in Tennessee, according to a report from the Memphis Business Journal.
The Memphis City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution that voices the city’s support for legal sports betting on one of the most iconic streets in the country.
“Be it resolved, by the Council of the City of Memphis that this body supports state legislative efforts that would permit legal sports betting on Beale Street,” reads the resolution, which comes just two months after Representative Rick Staples (D-District 15) pre-filed the first of two sports betting bills ahead of the state’s 2019 general assembly session.
Staples’ HB 0001 and Senator Raumesh Akbari’s SB 0016 both call for a 10 percent tax on adjusted gross revenue and would earmark a portion of that revenue for education. Staples filed his bill on Nov. 7, 2018 and Akbari (D-District 91) filed on Dec. 18, 2018. Both are awaiting committee assignments.
Louisiana governor all-in on sports betting
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said earlier this week that he would support sports betting and would earmark any revenue from it for early childhood education. Louisiana has casinos and racetracks spread across the state, but just like 20 years ago when Mississippi beat it to the punch on Las Vegas-style gambling, the Magnolia State launched sports betting last summer while Louisiana lawmakers batted around, and ultimately tabled the conversation.
“I want to be in a position to actually do it in Louisiana because we know it is happening in Mississippi,” Edwards said during an appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club, according to the Times-Picayune.
State Senator Danny Martiny (R-District 10) carried the sports betting torch during the 2018 legislative session, but his bill had no legs. Even if Edwards’ support helps push sports betting closer to legalization, Louisiana voters — on a parish-by-parish basis — would have to vote to legalize. They did so for a fantasy sports referendum in November in most of the state. But because each parish has to decide for itself, legalizing will take longer than it has in many other states.
Also!
The @DraftKings Sports Betting Nat'l Championship starts RIGHT NOW!!!
First bets being placed.
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We'll update on big bets, big wins, lopsided action, emotional meltdowns, more.
— RotoGrinders Sports Betting (@RGSportsBetting) January 11, 2019
ICYMI at Sports Handle
NBC Sports Washington will launch an innovative interactive gaming experience during Friday’s game
Indiana bill: State-wide mobile, betting on colleges allowed, but no tax rate mentioned
This Virginia bill is about mobile sports betting only
A bill filed in the Virginia senate would prohibit betting on college sports
D.C. doesn’t hand mobile contract to Intralot, chooses to hold hearings
Bipartisan group in Connecticut picks up sports betting baton
Two North Dakota lawmakers get busy on sports betting
More of the most interesting, important stories
A FEE BY ANY NAME: Pro leagues still want states to give them a cut of sports betting revenue. [US Bets]
CHECK THIS OUT: A sneak peek into the New York Oneida’s new sportsbooks. [Syracuse.com]
CHANGING SIDES: FanDuel has hired former New York Senator John Bonacic’s chief of staff. [SBCAmericas]
SAY NO TO FEDS: Former N.J. Governor Chris Christie urges states to fight federal government. [AP]
OPENING DAY: The Parx Casino became the first to open in Philadelphia, when it did so Tuesday. [PennBets]
JAIL TIME: The head of an illegal sports betting ring in Maine sentenced. [BangorDailyNews]
BIG WINNERS: The biggest winners of D.C. sports betting will be pro sports venues. [WashPost]
BORGATA GOES BIG: The company will open an $11 million sports betting venue in AC. [NJOG]
MATCH FIXING: 28 pro tennis players have been arrested in a match-fixing scandal. [SBCAmericas]
ALL TALK? Iowa lawmakers talking about opening formal talks on sports betting. [QuadCityTimes]
Today we launched our new Quick Slip product @FDSBMeadowlands Build your selected sport parlay on our Quick Slips, hand to the cashier and boom your bet is placed.. pic.twitter.com/mIuq7GmqIV
— FanDuel Sportsbook at The Meadowlands (@FDSBMeadowlands) January 11, 2019
In the wider world of sports
From sources:
Yesterday, 4 armed guards entered the @saints locker room, with Coach @SeanPayton wheeling the Lombardi trophy on top of $225k in cash.
Coach then said: “Y’all want this???”
“Win 3 F’n games.”
The locker room erupted. $225k is each player’s SB bonus. #WHODAT
— Jon DeTrinis (@JonDeTrinis) January 9, 2019
PLAYOFF CHAOS: With four home seeds eliminated in NFL’s Wild-Card round, what’s next? [538]
BUC STOPS WITH ARIANS: Tampa Bay hires Bruce Arians as head coach. [ESPN]
JERRY’S TEAM: After years of meddling, has Jerry Jones finally built a team to win? [SI]
Unfortunately I ended up doing professional sports betting.😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TqFu8FJLtS
— Derrick Ashimwe (@DerrickAshimwe) January 11, 2019
