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 (or fashionably late) Sports Handle item, “Get a Grip,” recapping the week’s top US 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.
Join Jeff Sherman, James Alberino, Nick Kostos, Joe Vardon and Dan Bravato on Saturday 15th May for the NBA Playoffs – What to look out for session at BETFEST.
Find out more about attending BETFEST 2021 here: https://t.co/gdXC6LFyNb#sbcevents #betfest #igaming pic.twitter.com/7r1tTpvfk1
— SBC NEWS (@SBCGAMINGNEWS) May 14, 2021
PASPA fell three years ago Friday
Today marks exactly three years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck #PASPA.
A few things have changed.
Here's a good retrospective from @howardstutz https://t.co/e9PVuCmqXr
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) May 14, 2021
Some additional stories and retrospectives
How A Delaware Native Got The Jump On New Jersey Sports Betting
Supreme Court Sports Betting Ruling, One Year Later: How The Impossible Came To Be
60 Minutes That Changed Sports Betting Forever
Top stories around our network this week
Departure Of FanDuel CEO Matt King Will Likely Delay Flutter’s U.S. Spin-Off
Sportsbook Advertising Is A Total Game-Changer For Radio Stations
Online Sportsbook Operators Bet Big On Local TV Ads In First Quarter of 2021
Illinois Posts Record $633.6M For Sports Betting Handle In March
Derek Stevens Hosts Rockies Watch Party As Circa Sports Looks To Broaden Reach
TN Sportsbook In Good Standing As Compliance Matter ‘Coming To A Close’
Wynn Interactive Eyes IPO And Long Game In Online Gambling Sector
Biometric Data Is The Next Statistical Frontier For Sportsbooks, Bettors
Louisiana bill moves to Senate floor
A sports betting bill that would allow for 20 sports betting licenses — which could be used for both retail and mobile wagering — advanced out of the Louisiana Senate’s Judiciary Committee and will go to the Senate floor for second reading. The bill, SB 247, is a substitute for the original SB 202, backed by Senate President Page Cortez. The bill gives preference to existing casinos and racetracks to claim the 20 sports betting licenses, but if any remain as of Jan. 1, 2022, local daily fantasy or video poker operators could apply for license, according to the Associated Press. Louisiana lawmakers must move a package of bills outlining framework and a tax structure after voters in 55 of 64 parishes legalized sports betting on the November 2020 ballot. A hearing on the House version of the bill, HB 697, is set for May 17 in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
In neighboring Alabama, May 17 is also the final day of the legislative session, and as such, the last chance lawmakers there will have to legalize sports betting and add a state lottery.
Maine lawmakers still studying
Lawmakers held a spirited and comprehensive work session for sports betting Wednesday, but tabled conversation after about two hours. Legislative staff spent nearly an hour reviewing the four sports betting bills on the table, and much of the discussion centered around what is ultimately one of the key issues — should a new law require digital sports betting platforms to be tethered to existing casinos? There appears to be no consensus as yet, and members of the Joint Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee will continue to chew on it before revising at least one of the bills and bringing it to the full legislature.
Another issue that came up for discussion is whether or not to allow remote registration, when bettors can sign up for mobile accounts on their devices. Steve Silver, now the chairman of the Maine Gambling Board, pointed to Rhode Island as a “cautionary tale” with regard to remote registration, as the state added that after legalizing and handle was significantly lower without remote registration.
Washington State reaches deals with 13 tribes
The Washington State Gaming Commission announced that it has reached tentative agreements with regard to sports betting with 13 tribes this week. The commission shared news a tentative compacts with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and Kalispel Tribe of Indians on May 11 and two days later announced tentative compacts with Colville, Cowlitz, Jamestown S’Klallum, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Shoalwater Bay, Spokane, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish, and Swinomish tribes. All tribes operate land-based casinos in Washington, and the reworked compacts add sports betting to the definition of Class III games. The state has now reached tentative agreements with 15 of its 29 federally recognized tribes. Washington remains the only state in the U.S. to legalize sports betting at tribal locations only. The new law allows for in-person wagering only.
All 13 agreements will be reviewed at hearings in the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs and House Commerce and Gaming Committees on May 19, and then each deal will be voted on at the June 10 WSGC meeting. From there, the pacts will be sent to tribal leaders and Gov. Jay Inslee for signature and then on to the U.S. Department of the Interior for approval.
The WSGC expects to release draft sports betting rules at its June 10 meeting with the hope of being able to launch sportsbooks for live wagering in the fall.
More of the most important, interesting stories this week
breaking: NJ April sports betting handle was $748M, down from March's $859.6M. Feb was $743M, Jan $958.7M, and Dec 2020 a US monthly record $996.3M
— John Brennan (@BergenBrennan) May 14, 2021
Regulated U.S. sports betting revenue in the six months from October 2020 to March 2021 ($1.83bn) exceeded the total from the preceding two years to September 2020 ($1.78bn). Illinois established itself as the 2nd largest online market prior to re-removal of remote registration. pic.twitter.com/4ia1NY6rYr
— Daniel Stone (@DanielStoneGC) May 11, 2021
Coming to NJ this summer, with more states to follow soon. #betting #Daytrader pic.twitter.com/113HBkaU1X
— Sporttrade Inc (@sporttrade_app) May 11, 2021
.@BSSportsbook plans to launch in Indiana on May 18, following approval today from IGC.
In time for new @NBA playoffs format.
Will be fourth state for Barstool to go online after PA, MI, IL. Says @PNGamingInc CEO Jay Snowden: pic.twitter.com/2w6HojRCSY
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) May 14, 2021
Maryland's online and retail sports betting bill could be signed into law next week. Gov. Larry Hogan's scheduled May 18 bill signing hasn't disclosed specifics yet, but it's not much of a stretch to think legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support is on that list.
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) May 14, 2021
AP source: Pac-12 hires sports entertainment executive George Kliavkoff of MGM Resorts as its new commissioner.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) May 13, 2021
NFL Week 1 Opening Lines (via BetMGM):
DAL at TB -6.5
AZ at TEN -3
JAX at HOU +1.5
LAC at WAS -1
MIN at CIN +2.5
NYJ at CAR -4.5
PHI at ATL -3.5
PIT at BUF -6.5
SF at DET +7
SEA at IND -2.5
CLE at KC -5.5
DEN at NYG +1.5Bet now: https://t.co/mY3sRVh7lN pic.twitter.com/fCMr8ejnu7
— RotoGrinders Sports Betting (@RGSportsBetting) May 12, 2021
It's HERE!!
The 2021 NFL Schedule Grid 👀
• color coded w day & location
• formatted to save as phone backgroundPlus deep analysis to follow:
• full article on the 2021 schedule
• toughest & easiest schedule
• tons of insights & nuggetsRead:https://t.co/jUfblOkXOm pic.twitter.com/5cb2Rtp37P
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 13, 2021
COMPACT: Sen. Hutson files nine gaming bills for Florida special session [FL POL]
STARTING GATE: Bettors suing Baffert over KY Derby drug test, outcome [Yahoo!]
SHOT IN ARM: Vaxxed casino patrons, workers in NV may shed masksmasks [CDC Gaming]
IT WON’T: Will mobile wagering kill the traditional sportsbook? [BSM]
FULL(ER) DISCLOSURE: NHL’s foray into sports betting and injury reporting [Athletic]
OTT: DraftKings’ media ambitions could include streaming service [Sportico]
OPEN NOT SHUT: NGCB rules for SuperBook in dispute with VSiN’s Alexander [LV-RJ]
TEED UP: BetMGM named Official Betting Operator of the LPGA Tour [LPGA]
LONE STAR: Exploring Texas’ long, complicated relationship with gambling [KERA]
