• About Us / Contact
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Get A Grip: The Week In Sports Betting: New Jersey Nears $1 Billion Monthly Bets, Conflicts In Kentucky, California Tribal Initiative Advances, Epic Bad Beat

A good chunk of the industry news that's fit to link and discuss

Brett Smiley by Brett Smiley
December 18, 2020
in Regulation
money

(Shutterstock)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

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, β€œGet a Grip,” recapping the week’s top US sports bettingΒ stories, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.Β Also check outΒ this week’s Wild World of Gambling at US Bets

NJ betting handle sets state and national record, again

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported on Monday that the legal sportsbooks in the Garden State handled $931.6 billion in wagers for November, another new monthly record.

It has become a routine, yet mind-blowing cycle, as in each new month since August the NJ sports betting handle figures have set a new record for total betting handle in a single month. These are records for both New Jersey and nationwide for a single jurisdiction in the U.S. where sports betting is legal.

The New Jersey market steadily swelled in size post-PASPA, then of course fell off once COVID sidelined nearly all of sports, before action rebounded to repeated record levels — now for four months running — coinciding with the reboots (or boots) of the NBA, NHL, and MLB seasons in late July.Β 

Here’s the recent breakdown, with a string of pandemic months excluded:

  • November 2019: $562,675,543 (a record at the time)
  • August 2020: $667,979,150 (a new national and NJ record at the time)
  • September 2020: $748,588,349 (a new national and NJ record at the time)
  • October 2020: $803,096,172 Β (a new national and NJ record at the time)
  • November 2020: $931,620,415 (a new national and NJ record)

Sportsbook revenue collectively was $50.6 million in the most recent month, while the state’s coffers added a much-needed $6.2 million.Β 

The percentage of wagers coming online versus in person has steadily grown as well — up from 90.1% in August to 93.61% in November. While ongoing public health measures reducing casino/racetrack sportsbook foot traffic, plus the arrival of freezing cold temperatures, will buttress the percentage online, there’s not much room left to grow.

This is yet another opportunity to flag one consistent tenet, and one open question. The tenet is that states not permitting statewide mobile sports betting or remote registration are comically misguided about customer demand, and the corresponding upside for commercial and state-level interests. Restricting wagers to physical locations seems akin to running a Domino’s Pizza franchise that won’t deliver a pie.Β  (Pie means a full pizza, for you non East Coasters.)Β 

But one open question remains — how much of this consistently increasing number comes from dollars flowing into the Garden State from the other side of the border. According to the anonymous DraftKings proxy bettor — an awful lot, perhaps attributable to lax KYC enforcement and a sportsbook’s own cultivation of VIP clients. To be continued.Β 

Recording the records

And by the way, what’s the point of memorializing each new monthly high water mark? Well, it’s a good way to measure market size and growth, and competition between the sportsbooks, and results produced by different (or similar) market models shaped in each state.

There’s disagreement about whether this constitutes reporting or cheerleading. Maybe style matters.Β 

More broadly, conversation around a “record” betting handle, and revenue, boils down to dollars risked on sporting events. Compare with measuring summer-movie blockbuster box-office receipts (in a more normal year). Both are dollars spent on entertainment, of course there’s less risk of addiction and self destruction for cinephiles than gamblers.Β 

Is $931 million an achievement, or a fact, or both?

Elsewhere in record and non-records around the country: Illinois and Pennsylvania

A new record (!!) in Illinois. My colleague Chris Altruda writes on Thursday about the latest IllinoisΒ  figures (October), which show a surge to $434.6M wagered at legal sportsbooks during the month.Β 

Aided by having all five of its mobile sports betting operators available online for the entire month for the first time since operators went live in March, the Illinois Gaming Board on Thursday announced a record handle of nearly $434.6 million in October. The figure was 42.4 percent higher than the $305.2 million reported in September, when both PointsBet and William Hill launched operations mid-month. It was the biggest month-over-month percentage increase of any jurisdiction with legalized sports wagering that generated a minimum handle of $10 million.”

Different story in Pennsylvania, where the sports gambling handle ticked back down to $491.9 million in November from $525.8 million in October. Go deeper into those numbers at PennBets.

California tribal initiative moving forward

A coalition of 18 California tribes last week submitted 1.4 million signatures to the Secretary of State for the sports betting ballot initiative that would go on the November 2022 ballot. The tribes began collecting signatures at the beginning of the year, and after several starts, stops and extensions due to COVID-19 shutdowns, they were able to collect about 400,000 more than required by the Secretary of State. About 998,000 of those signatures must be verified in order for the initiative to move forward.

The initiative calls for legal retail sports betting at tribal casinos and horse racetracks. Card rooms are shut out of the proposal, which would allow for betting on professional, college, and amateur sports, but would prohibit wagering on California-based college games. The tax rate on gross revenue for wagering at horse racetracks would be set at 10%. The initiative would also legalize roulette and dice games at tribal casinos.

Just heard the signatures for the California sports betting initiative were turned in this week.

— Victor Rocha (@VictorRocha1) December 12, 2020

The looming question between now and 2022 is whether or not the tribal initiative will be the only one on the ballot. State lawmakers attempted to pass their own referendum bill during the 2020 session, but withdrew the bill before a full vote. California’s tribes have long been the drivers for gaming in the state, but the initiative does not allow for wagering at the state’s card rooms or via mobile device.Β 

– Jill R. Dorson

Conflicts in Kentucky

Earlier this week, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear all but implored lawmakers to legalize sports betting — and marijuana — next year, but his efforts may be for naught. The Kentucky legislature only meets for 30 days in odd-numbered years, making it hard to pass anything, let alone a topic that has proved contentious in the Bluegrass State. In addition to that, the state’s Supreme Court in September ruled that some historical horse-racing machines don’t meet the definition of pari-mutuel betting, according to the Daily Racing Form, and the machines are similar to slot machines. All of that means that a major expansion of gaming could be on hold, and sports betting along with it.Β 

Legislative champion Adam Koenig, a Republican, is promising another sports betting bill, and he’ll stand next to Beshear, a Democrat, once again to lobby for it. In the past, Koenig’s issue hasn’t been bridging the gap between parties, rather he can’t seem to wrangle all the Republicans onto the same page. The session opens Jan. 5. 2021.Β 

– Jill R. Dorson

Ohio sports betting a no-go in 2020

Sports betting won’t get legalized in the Ohio this year, one of only two states considering sports betting where the legislature is still in session. (The Massachusetts legislature goes year round, but also has not found any resolution on sports betting.) Ohio’s SB 111 was expected to get a hearing this week, but it did not appear on any agendas, likely meaning that sports betting backers could not come to a consensus. The session ends Tuesday.Β 

Ohio has been a perplexing state to watch in terms of sports betting — there are no real wagering opponents, just two regulatory schools of thought that haven’t relented to compromise. And whatever progress was made this year could be lost, as key bill sponsors in both the House and Senate won’t return.Β 

– Jill R. Dorson

More important, interesting stories this week

THE BADDEST BEAT…

Browns take a safety on the last play of the game to cover Ravens (-3.5)

UN-BE-LIEVABLE
pic.twitter.com/AHBTBX0qW7

— Blame the Board (@blame_board) December 15, 2020

EPIC BAD BEAT: Last-play MNF safety swings millions at sportsbooks [Chalk]

HARD ROCK: Hard Rock launches joint venture Hard Rock Digital [Sports Handle]

ZONE COVERAGE: Sports streaming service DAZN has sold Sport News to PAX [Sportico]

WARHORSE: A long time coming, take a peek at Nebraska’s first casino [KETV 7]

HOLLYWOOD IN MD: Penn National lines up Barstool for Maryland betting [US Bets]

PENN PROFILE: Penn National’s new QB put all he learned from poker and football Into
a challenging first year [US Bets]

The NBA has tweaked its policies on sportsbooks inside arenas. Fans inside the arena will have access to/from the William Hill sportsbook at Capital One Arena during Wizards games, for example.

— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) December 17, 2020

BREAKING BRASH: Barstool’s Dave Portnoy might be pied piper of sportsbook world [Sports Handle]

NEW RULES: ATP Tour lifts prohibition on tournament betting sponsors [SBJ]

ABOUT TIME: Louisiana lawmakers OK fantasy sports regulations [Galveston News]

FALSE HOPE?: New York’s Gov. Cuomo gives mobile betting backers a crumb [NJOG]

WELCOME: Betsson, 888Sport receive Colorado betting licenses at final LGCC meeting of year [CO Bets]

TECH: BetMGM co-owner Entain and Verizon Media look to bring virtual reality to sports betting [CDC Gaming]

EXPANSION: BetMGM brings online sportsbook to PA quick on heels of iCasino launch [PennBets]

So, you want to be a placekicker.

You’ll need time, money, and a willingness to prove yourself every single time you step on the field.

My story for @FiveThirtyEight https://t.co/qrrxlWhUep

— Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi) December 18, 2020

Get more certain everyday the books that sweat every bet and restrict at the drop of a hat are gonna get their asses handed to them.

— Ed Miller (@EdMillerPoker) December 16, 2020

Have a good weekend, everybody.

ShareTweetShare
Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Sports Handle, which joined forces with the US Bets team in November 2018. He focuses on the sports betting industry and legislation. He's a recreational sports bettor and DFS player himself, focusing on the NFL. In a past life, Smiley practiced commercial litigation in New York City and previously wrote for FOX Sports and SI.com. He lives in New Jersey with his family.

Related Posts

Get a Grip
Industry

Get A Grip β€” The Week In Sports Betting: All Eyes On Fanatics

June 24, 2022
Get a Grip
Sports

Get A Grip — The Week In Sports Betting: New Books Coming To CA, SD, WA; LIV Still In The News

June 17, 2022
Load More

Top Sportsbooks In Your State

1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
SugarHouse Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
bet365 Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
2
FOX Bet Sportsbook
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
SuperBook Sports
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
Betfred Sportsbook
Review / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetRivers Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
NorthStar Bets Sportsbook
Review / 4.6
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Bet99 Sportsbook
Review / 4.7
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Sports Interaction Ontario
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
PowerPlay Sportsbook
Rating / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Monkey Knife Fight
Rating / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
PrizePicks
Rating / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

State Sports Betting Guides

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
June 27, 2022

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
March 21, 2021

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
March 18, 2022

Most Read Stories

mattress mack betting charade

Will Everyone Please Stop Calling β€˜Mattress Mack’ A Sports Bettor?

April 27, 2022
Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY

Dave Portnoy Says, ‘F**k That Guy,’ To Which Bettor And Gambling Twitter Seriously Object

May 16, 2022
map-missouri

Missouri Sports Betting Bill Draws Debate, Backlash In Senate

May 5, 2022
golden-gate-bridge-san-francisco

California Tribes Won’t Try For Mobile Proposal On 2022 Ballot

May 10, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN),Β 1-800-522-4700Β (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA),Β 1-888-532-3500Β (VA) or call/text TN REDLINEΒ 1-800-889-9789Β (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply.Β 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location