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 stories. Also check out this week’s Wild World of Gambling at US Bets.
VSiN inks deal with YouTube TV
On Wednesday, the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN) announced that it had reached a content distribution deal with You Tube TV to deliver sports betting news, analysis and insights on the streaming television network.
Founded in 2017 by Brian Musburger, the nephew of legendary sports broadcaster Brent Musburger, the company holds the distinction of becoming the first multi-channel network in the U.S. dedicated to sports gambling information. The VSiN channel will be offered as part of YouTube TV’s Sports Plus add-on package for $10.99/month.
The channel will provide subscribers of YouTube TV Sports Plus with access to more than 100 live linear hours of programming each week, including content featuring morning talk hosts Mitch Moss and Pauly Howard, sports betting expert Gill Alexander, and Brent Musburger’s My Guys In The Desert talk show.
“VSiN is incredibly excited to bring its new 24/7 fall lineup of premier sports betting analysis to YouTube TV,” said Brian Musburger, founder and chief executive officer of VSiN, in a statement. “As the first sports betting content provider of the streaming service, we look forward to delivering original programming from some of the biggest names in the industry to the millions of YouTube TV subscribers and the growing number of fans who wager on sports across the country.”
The deal comes on the heels of DraftKings’ announced acquisition of VSiN in March for around $100 million. At the time, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins described VSiN as a significant value add for the company in engaging customers who are interested in becoming more knowledgeable about sports betting.
“VSiN is the trusted authority in sports betting news, information, and analysis and a foundational pillar of DraftKings’ overarching media strategy,” said Brian Angiolet, chief media officer at DraftKings. “YouTube TV will provide our millions of skin-in-the-game sports fans with a seamless and engaging content experience and as the convergence of betting and streaming technologies continues to expand, DraftKings will remain opportunistic in exploring additional opportunities on various platforms.”
The deal was completed against a backdrop of an increasingly competitive space for sports betting content. Earlier in the week, former Caesars oddsmaker Todd Fuhrman announced that he is expanding his Bet the Board sports betting podcast into a video show, with FanDuel as the lead sponsor. Fuhrman made the announcement after leaving Fox Bet Live, a program he joined at its inception in 2018.
Also, USA Today announced the launch of USA Today Sports +, a premium digital subscription product. Sports + will integrate odds and gaming data from Tipico under a previous deal reached in July.
YouTube TV is available to subscribers at a monthly cost of $64.99.
— Matt Rybaltowski
Northern Quest up next in Washington
On Thursday morning, Snoqualmie Casino opened the first sportsbook in Washington State — right in time for the start of the NFL regular season. The tribe is currently taking cash-only retail wagers, though the Snoqualmie Tribe’s CEO said the casino expects to begin offering geofenced mobile sports betting on the property next month.
So far, nine of the 16 Washington tribes that recompacted have had their compacts approved by the federal government. Northern Quest Casino Executive Director of Casino Operations Kevin Zenishek told Sports Handle that the sportsbook there is expected to open in mid-October. Owned by the Kalispel Tribe, the casino is located in suburban Spokane.
— Mike Seely
Top stories from around our network this week
The biggest launch of the week — or, perhaps, the year — was also on Thursday, when seven Arizona operators launched digital platforms plus two retail locations. FanDuel and Caesars had the biggest days in terms of in-person excitement, as both opened in-person wagering locations in the Phoenix area. FanDuel’s sportsbook at Footprint Center is the only permanent sportsbook currently open, while Caesars opened betting areas at ticketing windows and via kiosks. Both companies were among those that launched digital platforms on the first day of the NFL season.
South Dakota was the third new state to usher in the legal wagering era Thursday when BetMGM took the first bet at its Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort and Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort. Like Washington, South Dakota’s law permits only in-person wagering at licensed sportsbooks. The Deadwood Mountain Grand and The Gold Rush Casino also began taking wagers Thursday.
Overall, it was once again a very busy week with developments across the spectrum and across the states. Here’s a rundown on the stories and subplots:
Survey says of the week
We’re Gaga For Betting On The NFL, American Gaming Association Study Shows
Growing the stable of the week
Caesars Sportsbook Inks Sports Betting Data Partnership With Genius Sports
Genius Sports Continues Sportsbook Spree, Adds Another Partner In WynnBET
End of an era of the week
Caesars Decision To Axe Longtime William Hill US Bookmaker Signals End Of Era
Don’t get left out of the week
Kambi Ups Ante With ‘Game Parlays’ For Upcoming NFL Season
Take two Advil of the week
Super Bowl Hangovers For Bucs And Chiefs? Bookmakers Expect February Runs, Not Fog
Overlay of the week
Circa’s Guaranteed NFL Contests Could Cost It, But Sportsbook Figures It’s Still Worth It
Look who’s on campus of the week
University Of Denver, SuperBook Partner On Sports Betting Deal
Floodgates cracked open of the week
Sportsbooks Get Green Light From NFL For In-Game Commercials
The next iGaming state launch of the week
Connecticut Tribes, Lottery Expect October iGaming, Sports Betting Launch
And more of the most important, interesting stories
A yr ago today, Dave Sharapan wasn't ready to leave wife Jessica and their three daughters. Many thx to @SportsbkConsig for sharing details of that horrific—but enlightening—episode.
My latest for @suntimes_sports https://t.co/ySzPoVYttj— Rob Miech (@robmiech) September 11, 2021
IPO AHEAD: Sportradar is set to go public on Nasdaq with a valuation of $8.3 billion [Yahoo]
EARNINGS: Genius Sports Doubles Revenue in Q2 [FOS]
NEWSPAPER: In Louisiana, ethical questions around affiliate dollars [CDC Gaming]
HIGHEST BIDDER: 888 stakes $3 billion to buy William Hill businesses [Reuters]
SOONISH: Wisconsin Oneida Tribe to offer sportsbook in coming weeks [FOX 11]
WINNING AND SINNING: How many pro teams can Las Vegas support? [LV-RJ]
RIBBON CUTTING: Wyoming’s Northern Arapaho open retail sportsbook [County 10]
HURRY UP AND WAIT: Ted Leonsis tries to talk cents into Massachusetts. [Boston Globe]
RESTRUCTURING: IGT creates digital and betting division [SBC News]
20 yrs ago
People ran from danger…As emergency responders ran towards it…#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/RpA6zWQ0xa
— Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) September 11, 2021
