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 pieces.
Straight outta G2E
For our contingent that had the opportunity to soak in the glitz of Las Vegas and imbibe a bit this past week, the price was some mild-to-moderate sleep deprivation. For the most part, it was worth it.
The gang absorbed numerous panel discussions and conducted a few interviews at the Global Gaming Expo, which made its triumphant in-person return after taking the show online, like most everything else, in 2020.
Here’s a rundown of some of our key coverage:
G2E Notebook: Popular Gaming Conference Returns To Vegas After One-Year Hiatus
‘Resilience’ The Theme As G2E Returns To Las Vegas After A Lost 2020
From Buckets Of Quarters To Crypto Sans Borders: G2E Gets Digital
Why State Lawmakers Love Sports Betting But Still Fear Online Casino Gaming
New Debate: Is ‘Responsible’ A Safer Gambling Word Than ‘Safer’?
More top stories from around our network
Campus Efforts Tied To Florida Sports Betting Allegedly Lead To Harassment Of Students
Amended California Wagering Proposal Could Get Tribes On Board
And They’re Off: First Louisiana Sportsbook Set To Debut At Tribal Casino In Marksville
Stakeholders Seek Numerous Changes To Maryland’s Proposed Sports Betting Rules
Indiana Gaming Commission, Barstool Sports Settle On $10K Fine For Self-Violation
Ted Lasso Finale Props: Betting On Fictional Football Is Life!
Iowa Puts Up State Record $210.4M Betting Handle In September
Connecticut launch update: Tuesday!
Connecticut’s two tribes went live with retail sports betting on Sept. 30, and despite Paul Mounds, Gov. Ned Lamont’s chief of staff, pointing to an Oct. 7 go-live date for digital wagering, the Department of Consumer Protection never set a firm date. As of Friday afternoon, we have one: this coming Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m.
The Department of Consumer Protection notified the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (partnered with Rush Street Interactive), Mohegan Tribe (partnered with FanDuel), and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe (partnered with DraftKings) that they may begin their seven-day soft launch period for online wagering on Tuesday.
“We appreciate the hard work of our licensees and their teams, as well as the team at DCP, for their diligence in ensuring these platforms are compliant with the regulations approved by the legislature,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “As long as no issues arise, we have told the licensees they may move forward with the seven-day soft launch required in the regulations. Once the soft launch is complete, online gaming will open statewide.”
Not this year, take four
Massachusetts lawmakers appear to once again be kicking the sports betting can down the road. Earlier this week, Senate President Karen Spilka told State House News Service that the General Court may not have the “bandwidth” to hammer out a wagering bill by the end of the year.
“We have to do redistricting, we have to close out the books and do a [supplemental] budget, we need to do a more permanent Votes act, our temporary [provisions] end in December,” she said. “Some of it will depend upon bandwidth and how it stands.”
The House has been far more pushy about legalizing than the Senate over the last few years, inserting sports betting into multiple budget bills, and in July it passed its latest version.
Massachusetts is nearly surrounded by live, legal sports betting states. Rhode Island went live with wagering in 2018, New Hampshire in 2019, some New York tribes in 2019, and Connecticut’s tribes took their first retail sports bets last week.
Sightline, Resorts World debut cashless option
As carrying cash becomes less and less common, Sightline Payments has taken one more step toward going cashless for gaming. The company this week announced a partnership with Play+ Mastercard that allows consumers to load the card for sports betting, online casino, retail casino accounts, or non-gaming activities at Resorts World Las Vegas. The card can be synced with a smartphone via digital wallet or the Resorts World Las Vegas app. Cardholders can use the Play+ card to pay for any activity at the resort, from dining to shopping to experiences to gaming.
“As consumers increasingly seek digital-first experiences, we’re pleased to partner with Sightline to enable a fully digital engagement for the patrons at Resorts World Las Vegas leveraging our tokenization capabilities and innovative card solutions,” said Chiro Aikat, executive vice president of products & innovation for Mastercard in North America.
Sightline Payments on Thursday was selected as the “Best Payment Solution” in the gaming space by Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2021.
The “tokenization” technology means the card doesn’t have a traditional number. Instead, it has a unique token and can only be accepted by a merchant that has requested it.
The card also has responsible gaming features: Holders can set limits on time and/or money, and will get a monthly statement to track spending.
“The foundation of Play+ is to provide customers with a safe, secure, and responsible payments experience to fund their gaming and entertainment,” said Joe Pappano, co-CEO of Sightline Payments.
And more of the most important and interesting
Sports Betting News: @MLBNetwork will stream @BetMGM-sponsored betting focused feed of Sunday afternoon’s BoSox-Rays ALDS game on https://t.co/SpOsuzZICa, Twitch & @MLBPicks.“Bettor’s Eye” show hosted by @keithirizarry will feature live odds and analysis. https://t.co/VoFn7RDDOK pic.twitter.com/44xnadw92X
— Bill King (@Bill_KingSBJ) October 7, 2021
SCANDAL: Hoop Schemes on Netflix revisits the Stevin “Hedake” Smith point-shaving scandal at ASU [AZ Central]
SEMANTICS?: NYS Court of Appeals hears oral argument in matter of DFS legality [News 1]
NOT A CHEAP DATE: MGM CEO discusses DraftKings’ bid for BetMGM joint-venture partner Entain [CDC Gaming]
BETS ARE OFF: Mohegan Sun, owner of Connecticut Sun, suspends wagering on WNBA [AP/NBC]
GOING IT ALONE: First neighborhood sportsbook opens in D.C. [WTOP]
PAC WEST: MGM gains market access through tribal partnership. [Seattle Times]
MD MOVEMENT: Lottery approves three sports betting applications. [W-MAR]
HARDWOOD: FuboTV announces partnership with Cavaliers. [MediaPlay]
CHARGED: Man behind viral Urban Meyer videos is an Ohio electrician. [WSJ]
