We’ve got an abbreviated weekly recap here as most of us are recovering from Fourth of July festivities and/or bracing for more. For our European friends reading this, Fourth of July is when Americans slug beers, devour hot dogs , and narrowly (but not always) escape the launching of fireworks to celebrate the anniversary of our declaring independence from the grip of Great Britain’s power.
Governor Janet Mills halts Maine sports betting
Mills, a Democrat and not a proponent of legal and safer sports betting, opted to sit on the bill that was handed to her by the state legislature that would have fostered an open, free legal sports betting market. Her trepidation is owed to politics, of course, and her not wanting to stamp the bill. And probably there was tugging from establishment gaming entities wanting an advantage over the charging mobile/online-based sportsbooks that, under the legislature’s model, would be able to enter the market untethered to any brick-and-mortar outfit.
Read more about it here. Bottom line is that the bill could be reformed a bit or simply pass into law later this summer or early in 2020 if Mills opts not to veto it after three days of a session’s meeting.
Arkansas is a go
The Bear State aka the Wonder State became the ninth to see the launch of legal sports betting. The sportsbook at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, partnered with sports betting supplier SBTech, booked the state’s first legal sports bet on Monday July 1: $5 on the Dallas Cowboys -7.5 against the New York Giants in their season opener at Jerry Land on Sept. 8. Oaklawn is one of four properties allowed to offer brick-and-mortar sports betting, a result of a Nov. 2018 ballot referendum.
Oaklawn GM Wayne Smith places the first sports wager in AR, betting $5 that the Dallas Cowboys will beat the NY Giants in the season opener Sept. 8.
Hours of Operation: 10 am – 10 pm for teller wagering.
Sports wagering kiosks are available from open to close of the casino. pic.twitter.com/EgTxv2JDzc— Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (@OaklawnRacing) July 1, 2019
Oaklawn has become the first in Arkansas to offer sports wagering with the opening Monday of its newly remodeled Race & Sports Book in the north end of the casino… https://t.co/46RhHRIwIi pic.twitter.com/FwL1tkFQXF
— Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (@OaklawnRacing) July 1, 2019
Interestingly, this would be a regulatory violation in Nevada.
Key employees and sports book employees not allowed to make sports wager at his/her own establishment. https://t.co/vNHX6dBaGc— Jennifer Roberts (@JRoVegas) July 1, 2019
Better Collective + NJ.com
Some in-house news: Better Collective, which recently acquired Sports Handle (as well as RotoGrinders), is joining forces with NJ Advance Media LCC to bring premier sports betting and casino content to New Jersey’s largest news site, www.nj.com. Read more about that partnership here.
More important and interesting (mostly) gaming stories of the week
CONSOLATION PRIZE: Knicks favored to win Vegas Summer League title [Chalk]
SCRAP HEAP: Fight is looming over MGM’s effort to buy AAF app [PFT]
YOU THINK?: Survey: legalization of sports gambling could lead to increased sports viewing [Variety]
Earthquake hits in Vegas. We pause at the counter. Guy says “give me the Reds for two dimes.”
Hold on a sec, I think we are having an earthquake.
“Well, print the ticket before the line changes.”
Just when you think you have seen and heard it all.. https://t.co/JxUYSW4jAq
— Bullshitterz Blog (@BullshiterzBlog) July 4, 2019
MEMORIES: Sports betting at Oaklawn recalls history of Illicit gambling in Hot Springs [America’s Best Racing]
TUG OF WAR: California sports betting bill faces opposition from tribal groups [WSN]
ON THE WAY: Place your bets: Tennessee’s sports gaming act begins July 1 [TN Bar Journal]
POLICY POSITION: In West Springfield, Massachusetts, council passes sports betting resolution [Reminder]
PAIN RELIEF: Medical marijuana and sports betting are top issues for NFL’s CBA talks [Axios]
With Seinfeld making its debut 30 years ago today, here are the 15 best sports moments in the show's history https://t.co/BXGEsicnV5
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 5, 2019
ICYMI at Sports Handle and US Bets:
Five States Still Could Pass Sports Betting Proposals In The Second Half Of 2019
NJ Horsemen Have Inside Track on $3.4 mm Payout, Look Like Longshot For $150 mm More
Indiana Sports Betting Regs Could Allow Gambling on the Oscars
It’s WSOP Main Event Time! What To Expect, Where To Watch, And Other Historic Happenings
USBookmaking Expands Reach With Tribal Gaming Vendor Group
Have a great weekend, everyone!
