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 stories and rounding up key stories in sports betting, gaming, and the world of sports at large. You may have missed them, and they are worth reading.
PA online sportsbooks bring immediate gratification
Pennsyvlania‘s three online sportsbooks accounted for 41 percent of the state’s total betting handle in June, according to a report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The report, released Thursday, is the first to include a full month of online sports betting in the Keystone State.
According to PGCB, state sportsbooks took $46.3 mm in sports bets, resulting in $3.13 mm in revenue and nearly $700,000 in state tax revenue. Bricks-and-mortar sportsbooks took in $27 mm in bets while online/mobile books took in $19.33 mm. Only PlaySugarHouse, which opened in late May, was online for the whole month, and it accounted for $18.17 mm of the online handle. Both Rivers and Parx casino’s online options were available for a week or less in June.
In terms of bricks-and-mortar sportsbooks, the Rivers Casino in Philadelphia generated the largest handle, taking in $6.2 mm, followed by $5.18 mm by Parx, and $5.16 mm by SugarHouse.
The PGCB does not break down bets by sport.
More of the most important, interesting stories
“We think that legalized sports betting and Arena Football are a match made in heaven.”
💚🏈#CommissionersCorner | #BetOnUs pic.twitter.com/izBV0u1bFT
— Arena Football League (@OfficialAFL) July 17, 2019
RETURN ENGAGEMENT: Bookie Jimmy Vaccaro returning to Las Vegas. [PennBets]
MUDDLED IN MICHIGAN: Here’s why sports betting isn’t law yet. [DetroitNews]
AN APPLE A DAY? Rush Street’s workaround allows Apple users to sports bet in PA. [PRN]
EXCLUSION: ACC commissioners want a carve out for college sports. [NorthStateJournal]
DOUBLE DIP: 3 online PA sportsbooks launched, but SugarHouse only one in NJ, too. [PennBets]
BREAKING: D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie's cousin is listed as a beneficiary of the no-bid sports gambling contract, new records show. The cousin and another listed executive for the subcontractor deny his involvement. https://t.co/zNsFBNgNzi
— Fenit Nirappil (@FenitN) July 18, 2019
POWER PLAY: Governor Gina Raimondo doesn’t think RI should let Twin River take over all gambling. [ProvidenceJournal]
CHECK IT OUT: William Hill, Eldorado announce plans for Iowa sportsbooks. [CDCGaming]
FANCY: A peek inside Circa’s new sportsbook, which will have a three-story high video screen. [ESPN Chalk]
BET ON IT: States will keep legalizing sports betting. [WashingtonExaminer]
I already miss live racing at Suffolk DOWNS AND Rockingham. I hope the legislature approves live racing in the westwern part of the state and Legalized sports betting at Encore casino. $$$$$$$
— Eddie Andelman (@EddieAndelman) July 17, 2019
In the wider world of sports
COLLISION COURSE: 2 horses die at Del Mar in training accident. [SI]
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: How all 32 NFL coaches got their starts. [ESPN]
Dwight says he hated Kobe for years for calling him soft, but now he appreciates and understands it. pic.twitter.com/sswpebeWfm
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 18, 2019
THAT’S HARD: Red Sox show once again it’s tough to repeat as champs. [WSJ]
HELLO, JAI LAI?: Florida casino considers trading harness racing for jai-lai. [Sun Sentinel]
ON THE ROAD: Seeing France through the Tour de France. [NYT]
ICYMI From Sports Handle, US Bets Network
The war over sports betting data: Lies, half-truths and statistics, Part I
D.C. follies: Why a no-bid contract for lottery, sports betting?
Mass lawmaker: ‘Why is this taking so long?’
NY launches sports betting with opening of Rivers Schenectady sportsbook.
North Carolina House sends limited sports betting bill to governor.
Live free and sports bet: NH governor signs sports betting into law.
