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 headlines, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.
Top stories around our network this week
It’s not every week that a big new boy in sports betting arrives on the block and generates attention and curiosity. It’s a pretty crowded scene already, with a few heavy-hitters at the top (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM) making it hard for smaller existing competitors — let alone newcomers — to find a comfortable, potentially profitable niche.
But here comes Fanatics, looking to shift that paradigm by force of its familiar name, ample finances, and flexible crossover marketing. It was revealed this week that after recent beta testing in Tennessee and Ohio, the Fanatics Sportsbook app will launch in those two states Monday. It also received regulatory approval in Massachusetts this week to progress toward debuting there this spring. Up to now, the new sportsbook operator has only run the retail venue at the Washington Commanders’ FedEx Field.
More than most new entrants in the industry, Fanatics arrives with an already vast customer base from its merchandising and other operations whom it can try to draw into sports betting. It remains to be seen just what promotional offers it will extend to them to help that cause, and it will be months before the new sportsbook’s handle/revenue figures in various states are reported and indicate its impact.
Sports Handle will be closely monitoring this new challenger to the existing sportsbooks, just as the articles below from our network of sites over the past week show our blanket coverage of the industry. And for additional gambling-related information of vital and/or entertaining interest, be sure to check out the weekly Double Down column on US Bets and the Gamble On podcast.
Hmm, what can be learned from the Brits?
UK white paper focuses on ad restrictions, protecting youth and at-risk gamblers
UK government releases long-awaited white paper on gambling
These sportsbooks sure grow up fast
Teddy Talks: How sports betting companies are navigating early adulthood
The NFL always has to try to be special
How do the NFL’s rules on player gambling compare to other leagues?
Much ado about something or nothing
Politicians, sports leagues, sportsbooks all putting on a big show
You’d best believe every second counts
Latency could be major issue as Sunday Ticket moves to YouTube
Finding a way to survive a war
Betegy, a tech company with Ukrainian ties, is changing gambling advertising
No status quo in Illinois
Circa Sports approved for management services provider license in Illinois
Illinois legislative committee discusses expanding betting on in-state schools
Maryland also a growth state
Could Maryland have 20 mobile sportsbooks by 2024?
Missouri sees some scolding
Cardinals president calls Missouri sports betting roadblock ‘really childish behavior’
U.S. still a good place to do business
Flutter shareholders approve U.S. listing in near-unanimous vote
Ready to put on a show
DraftKings enters the streaming wars with DraftKings Network
It’s a small start, but a start
Yahoo enters social sports betting biz with acquisition of Wagr
Nevada can be counted on for big numbers
Nevada sportsbooks claim $43.9 million in March revenue despite Super Bowl payouts
Vermont betting bill makes progress
Vermont’s Senate Appropriations Committee passed HB 127 on Friday, a bill that would allow for statewide mobile wagering with between two and six platforms. The committee held discussions Thursday, debating funding levels for problem gambling and responsible gambling measures. The bill earmarks $250,000 for FY 2024 for problem gambling programs.
The bill was moved favorably through the committee Friday with an amendment providing $100,000 to help the state generate a self-exclusion program. Clearing the committee means the bill is poised to be discussed in the Senate before the state’s legislative session ends on May 12.
— Bennett Conlin
Betfred makes Colorado its 10th
The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission unanimously approved a two-year sports betting license Thursday for UK-based operator Betfred Sportsbook.
The approval gives Betfred a foothold in a 10th U.S. state. It already operates mobile betting in Arizona, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and runs a retail sportsbook in the Silver Reef Casino in Washington.
Betfred is joining a crowded Colorado marketplace, with 23 other sportsbooks licensed in the state.
— Mark Saxon
WarHorse Lincoln to take first Nebraska bets
More than 18 months after voters in Nebraska approved an expansion of gambling that includes legal sports betting, the WarHorse Casino in Lincoln is poised to take the state’s first bets, according to a report from KETV-Omaha. The casino opened last September, but only for gambling by slot machines.
The sportsbook is aiming to take bets by late May, which would be near the end of the NBA and NHL playoffs and before the College World Series, which is played annually in Omaha. Nebraska’s law doesn’t allow betting on local college teams.
— Jill R. Dorson
Mojo adding MLB to offerings
Mojo announced this week it is carrying over its stock market concept to Major League Baseball. Last month, the company announced it was expanding into the NBA and college basketball on top of its active stock markets for NFL and NCAA football players.
The New Jersey-based company also announced it will begin taking single-game bets on MLB games. Moneyline bets have already launched at Mojo, with single-game player prop bets promised soon.
“Mojo continues to be blown away by how our users in New Jersey love our unique and unprecedented career bet — and today we’re excited to continue the momentum by expanding to MLB,” company CEO Bart Stein said in a press release. Mojo said users spent more time on its app last month than in any month in the company’s history.
— Mark Saxon
Tweet of the week
I dont know him but watever the guy is going through its either sport betting or a lady is involved 🤞 pic.twitter.com/rAH8ywiYOd
— Bothwell Chinyakata (@bchinyakata) April 23, 2023
More of the most important, interesting stories
MASSAGE THE MESSAGING: Op-ed: Sports betting has an optics problem [SBC Americas]
IT’S AN IN-STATE STALEMATE: Editorial: Angry there’s no legal sports betting in Missouri? Blame illegal video gaming [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
IOWA SURVIVING WITHOUT THRIVING: March sports gambling down from last year, but provides a positive sign [Radio Iowa]
HOW DID GRANDPA KNOW WHO GOT PICKED? Nobody wanted to show the NFL Draft. Now it owns TV [Front Office Sports]
The #NFLDraft was first held in 1936.
However, it wasn't televised until 1980, when a brand-new TV Network (@ESPN) approached the NFL about turning the draft into a news event.
The first Hall of Famer drafted on TV was @AnthonyMunozHOF. #FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/58410tUNAv
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 28, 2023
GOOD TIMES IN SOUTH DAKOTA: March numbers keep Deadwood on pace for record-breaking year [Rapid City Journal]
MISSISSIPPI ON A ROLL, TOO: Mississippi bounces back in March as handle and revenue climb [iGB North America]
IF YOU NEED HELP …: NCPG releases promotional toolkit, analytics dashboard for national problem gambling helpline [National Council on Problem Gambling]
PANDEMIC? WHAT PANDEMIC? Strong convention business and March Madness boost Las Vegas visitation to pre-pandemic territory [CDC Gaming Reports]
