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.
CT governor put brakes on sports betting
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on Wednesday said he doesn’t think state lawmakers will be able to legalize sports betting before the legislative session ends on June 8.
“I don’t think we’re going to see it happen in this session,” Lamont said in the Hartford Courant. “From my point of view, I want a global solution to this thing that’s been stuck in legal limbo for an awful long time.”
For the second consecutive year, Connecticut lawmakers have struggled to build consensus, both among themselves and among stakeholders, including the state’s two Indian tribes. Lamont appeared with Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, which owns and operates the Foxwoods Casino, one of two tribal casinos in the state.
“I’d love to make a deal with Rodney,” Lamont said. “I’d love to make a deal with Mohegan and MGM in a way that I honor my compact with Rodney and the tribes and includes internet, includes sports. But I’m not going to do it if we don’t have a global solution.”
Lamont left open the possibility of a special session to consider sports betting should lawmakers and stakeholders make progress after the regular session ends.
Tiny Rhode Island has sports betting while Lamont and Connecticut squander time. #ctpolitics #manhattan #rhodeisland #JoeNBC pic.twitter.com/tZwlLHA62I
— Paul D. Griffith (@door24) May 9, 2019
Connecticut lawmakers filed at least three sports betting bills early in the session and held two marathon hearings in which little was accomplished. At issue is that the Mashantucket and Mohegan tribes believe they have the exclusive right to sports betting under the current tribal-state compact. As the state considers expanding gaming to commercial sites, sports betting is just one of many issues that must be hammered out.
More of the most interesting, important stories
HALFSIES: The state of Rhode Island cuts it projections on sports betting revenue by half. [AP]
GENIUS DEALING: Genius Sports inks another big deal, and this one includes the EPL. [SportsMediaReport]
FOX APP COMING: Fox Sports announced it will launch a sports betting app this fall. [SBJDaily]
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: VSiN struck a deal to broadcast its daily sports betting show in Canada. [CDC]
BANDWAGON: Investors gave a thumbs up to Sinclair Broadcasting’s bet on sports betting. [Forbes]
Legalized sports betting — Goodell says there are risks and the league has spent a lot of time educating entire NFL organization to those risks@MariaBartiromo says great you've been educating
Goodell responds half joking – "I hope they listen"#FOXInvestorDay pic.twitter.com/EqWZagcwtz
— Rich Greenfield (@RichBTIG) May 9, 2019
NEW PLAYER COMING TO TOWN: Nevada’s Gaming Control Board gives GVC a thumbs up. [JournalReview]
NO FELONY HERE: Lawyers for Delaware sports bettor say taking overpayment not felony theft. [USBets]
WINDY CITY? FanDuel is considering a Chicago office if Illinois legalizes sports betting. [Crain’s]
PRISON BET: Nevada can trace its sports betting roots to the state prison. [USBets]
NEWS: The sports betting bill in the District of Columbia is now effective following a Congressional review period (during which time Congress did not formally object). Details and bill history here – https://t.co/pCBR1jT6RO
— Ryan M. Rodenberg (@SportsLawProf) May 8, 2019
ICYMI at Sports Handle
Fox, Stars Group take plunge into sports betting with new partnerships.
Stakeholders to Illinois: We can’t show you that much money.
Mobile sports betting dominates New York hearing.
Indiana becomes 10th state to legalize sports betting.
Maine lawmakers kill six sports betting bills, but keep one as they continue to craft legislation.
Why Montana’s governor vetoed one sports betting bill, but approved another.
Puerto Rico presents a unique challenge for sports betting.
In the wider world of sports
I LOVE LA?: LeBron might not right now, as the Lakers are acting like they don’t really want him. [SBNation]
#Lakers fans are organizing a protest outside of #StaplesCenter https://t.co/3y3tPuoKoy
— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) May 9, 2019
WARRIOR WORRY: Golden State is going to have to solider on with Kevin Durant. [NYT]
PINBALL WIZARD: Clark County commissioners give the OK for the Pinball Hall of Fame. [ReviewJournal]
THE BEAUTIFUL GAME: This week was just a reminder of how fabulous soccer really can be. [WSJ]
Yerry Mina could receive a charge for starring in an advertisement for Betjuego, a sports betting company in Colombia. This is against Football Association rules. His punishment could be a fine or even a lifetime ban from playing in England in extreme cases. (Source: El Tiempo) pic.twitter.com/D0D1Ey0APt
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) May 9, 2019
