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 happenings.
Top stories around our network this week
Maybe it’s dangerous to explore too deeply into the psyche of your average sports bettor — it can be dark and complicated when one starts poking around among all the neurons connected to gambling and such. That’s not necessarily a deterrent to researchers, however, as it’s their job to look into both the more disturbing and more curious aspects of the gaming industry.
One subject explored on US Bets this week was the high suicide rate among problem gamblers compared to those with other forms of addiction. A Sports Handle story, meanwhile, explained research into bettors’ embrace of longshots and the different ways odds can be presented to make such wagers even more appealing. When any research lends new insights into the fascination that gambling holds for many millions of Americans, we’re only too happy to report on it.
Is anyone making money from this?
Nevada sports betting handle dips below $500 million for June
Sports betting volume hits a low for fifth straight week
Michigan sportsbooks feeling the summer heat
It took new casinos to get PA to a record for total revenue from slots, table games
Arizona sportsbooks have big May, top $55 million in revenue
Something big ahead in New York, but where?
Times Square casino option drawing mixed reactions on social media
The Empire Slate: A Citi Field casino is no sure thing
Oy, the places we gamblers have been
America’s grittiest OTBs and gambling parlors
Make room for crypto, somehow, some way
U.S. sports betting industry warming up to crypto, but concerns remain
Kansas being a little coy about its timetable
Don’t expect live betting in Kansas at start of NFL season
Sniping continues in California over initiatives
Latest California ‘No’ to digital wagering ad: ‘They didn’t write it for the tribes’
How about another casino?
Hard Rock eyeing potential casino in southeastern Wisconsin
Licensing decision on Nittany Mall mini-casino on hold until at least November
Watch and learn, Washington, watch and learn
D.C. can learn from Oregon’s betting model
Is this any way to run a slugging contest?
After controversy, will sportsbooks offer Home Run Derby odds?
Chicago proposes doming Soldier Field
The city of Chicago isn’t ready to give up on the Bears just yet. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office on Monday released three proposals to put a dome over Soldier Field — the NFL team’s current home — in hopes of deterring the Bears from building on a parcel of land at the former Arlington Race Track. The owners of the franchise agreed last year to purchase the track in the northwest suburbs of Arlington Heights from Churchill Downs Inc. for $197.2 million.
The proposals, which range in estimated cost from $900 million to more than $2 billion, would also expand seating capacity at the stadium from its current 61,500 to 70,000 when including “fan activation areas.” The third proposal, however, is more a contingency for the city should the Bears leave. It would transition the stadium to a more soccer-friendly venue for its other current tenant, the Chicago Fire of the MLS. In a statement, the Bears said that “the only potential project the Chicago Bears are exploring for a new stadium development is Arlington Park.”
A lack of modern amenities has long been a sticking point for the Bears, who have previously wanted to add a sportsbook lounge to Soldier Field and further activate their partnership with BetRivers. Both DraftKings and FanDuel are well into construction for similar venues at Wrigley Field and the United Center, respectively.
— Chris Altruda
DOI rejects two California compacts
The U.S. Department of the Interior has rejected compacts submitted by California’s Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe. The tribes are two of three that have stood up in support of Proposition 27, the operator-backed mobile wagering initiative that would allow for digital platforms tethered to tribal casinos.
The rejection set off a war of words between the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, which backed the DOI decision, and Gov. Gavin Newsom and the two tribes. The DOI contends that the proposed compacts give the state of California undue leverage over the tribes, and according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the federal agency previously sent letters to the state voicing this concern. The compacts were initially rejected in November with proposed revisions.
“Despite the tribes’ efforts to meet with Interior and changes negotiated with the State of California to address concerns expressed by Interior, the Department chose to disregard the interests of the tribes and arbitrarily disapprove the compacts,” Newsom said in a press release. “The disapprovals threaten the ability of these and other tribes to invest and maintain jobs in many of California’s economically disadvantaged communities.”
In its statement, the Indian Gaming Association took an opposing view: “Simply put, the state should not put any tribe in the position of having to choose between the self-reliance offered through gaming, and surrendering its sovereignty in matters not directly related to and necessary for the regulation, licensing and actual operation of class III gaming activities,”
— Jill R. Dorson
New Arizona tribal compact published
An updated compact between the Yavapai-Prescott tribe and the state of Arizona was published Tuesday in the Federal Register. The agreement authorizes the Yavapai-Prescott tribe to offer sports betting on tribal lands.
The tribe operates two casinos in the northern part of the state. Under the bounds of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the tribe can offer in-person sports betting if it has also signed an addendum for Arizona tribes that allow it. The agreement would not allow the tribe to offer statewide mobile sports betting, as all 10 licenses allotted to tribes are spoken for. According to the Arizona Department of Gaming, the Yavapai-Prescott have not indicated who they will partner with for sports betting.
— Ted Dahlstrom
Maryland takes step toward mobile wagering
The Maryland Lottery published proposed amended regulations for sports betting licenses and internal controls Friday. There will be a 30-day public comment period on those proposed rules, which means public comment can be submitted up until Aug. 29.
While retail sportsbooks are operational in Maryland, mobile sportsbooks haven’t yet gone live, but recent progress suggests there’s a realistic chance mobile sportsbooks will be able to launch during the 2022 NFL season.
— Bennett Conlin
More of the most important, interesting stories
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T: AL lawmaker will bring lottery and gambling legislation to next session [WDHN]
THAT’S A RECORD PACE: Churchill Downs gallops to record $585.2M quarter [Front Office Sports]
BRING BACK THE DROUGHT: Las Vegas flooding: Multiple casinos, entire Strip, airport under water [New York Post]
Rain pours through a screen inside Circa in Las Vegas.
(h/t @LasVegasLocally)
pic.twitter.com/Ru21kOwck9— David Charns (@davidcharns) July 29, 2022
NEVADA COULD USE ONE MORE: Legends Bay Casino gets an official grand opening date for the public [Reno Gazette Journal]
REVOLUTIONARY RACING’S ON TRACK: $55 million quarter horse track gets Kentucky’s final racing, gaming license [Lexington Herald Leader]
THANK YOU, NEW YORK: More money rolling into state’s casinos, less tax being collected [The Daily Gazette]
