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.
Expect D.C. regulations in July, betting as soon as September
It’s been about a month since the D.C. City Council passed the last piece of legislation needed to really get started on launching sports betting, and according to the city’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer, regulations should be rolled in July. A set of proposed rules will be posted in the D.C. Register and open for public comment for a minimum of 30 days. Following that, the Office of Lottery and Gaming anticipates adopting rules in July. At that time, the OLG will begin accepting applications from certain “private operators” outside exclusivity zones, such as restaurants and bars, and it is expected those operators might launch with in-person sports betting as early as September.
The D.C. Lottery, through its vendor Intralot, will have a virtual monopoly on mobile sports betting and is aiming to launch city-wide in January 2020. According to D.C. law, the lottery will be the only source to offer mobile sports betting in D.C., with the exception their having the ability to offer mobile betting inside several professional sports venues and some bars through platforms by operators such as playMGM or FanDuel.
Ohio bill would legalize mobile, retail sports betting
A new bill in the Buckeye State filed late Thursday would legalize state-wide mobile sports betting, and would potentially allow for remote registration, Brian Pempus writes. The long-awaited bill comes as neighbors Pennsylvania and West Virginia have already launched sports betting. Both have a mobile component, though Pennsylvania sportsbooks have not yet hit the interwebs.
ICYMI: Ohio in the ballgame. https://t.co/R90RpSqQH8
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) March 15, 2019
Senate Bill 111, calls for a 6.25 percent tax rate and a $100,000 application fee. One key question as the legislation moves forward is whether or not Governor Mike DeWine is on board.
DeWine could also be envisioning a pretty lengthy debate on how to implement sports betting in Ohio. #Sportsbetting legislation introduced yesterday is able to carryover to 2020. Ohio's 2019 session doesn't end until the very end of the year.
— Brian Pempus (@brianpempus) March 15, 2019
Rhode Island mobile nearly legal
Now that both the Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives have voted to legalize sports betting bills, it would seem that all we’re waiting for is Governor Gina Raimondo’s signature. Not so fast. In a unique twist, Rhode Island requires the Senate bill to be passed by the House (it was on March 12), and the Senate to approve the House bill. That hasn’t happened yet. The House passed both S 37 and H 5241, matching bills, last Tuesday. But the House bill has to go back to the Senate and is set for a vote on March 19. After that vote the bills will get sent to Raimondo. There appears to be no doubt she’ll sign it.
According to testimony during the legislative process, mobile sports betting, which will require in-person registration and will be operated through the state’s two casinos — Twin River and Tiverton — should be up and running within six months. The state lottery will be the regulatory body.
More of the most interesting, important stories
MIXED BAG: New Jersey gets bump from Oscars, burn from Super Bowl, according to revenue report. [USBets]
UP AND RUNNING: FanDuel launches its sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino in Pennsylvania. [PennBets]
"Bryce is gonna do it for me."
Here's the video of @BrentCelek placing his OVER bet for @bryceharper3 homers in 2019 💸 pic.twitter.com/PflsuDnDl9
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 13, 2019
NOW THERE’S TWO: A second tribal sportsbook in New Mexico opened this week. [USBets]
EVEN MORE NEW MEXICO SPORTS BETTING?: New Mexico’s Navajo Nation is aiming to offer sports betting after a tribal-state compact renegotiation set for this summer. [NavajoTimes]
CLEAN UP YOUR ACT: After 21 horse deaths in less than three months at Santa Anita, horse racing must get its house in order … or go away. [AP]
STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: The MGM-MLB partnership is raising eyebrows among some players, staff. [StarTribune]
THUMBS UP: New study shows strong support for legal sports betting in NJ and Mississippi. [ECU]
NEW PARTNERS: Newgioco Group partners with Fleetwood Gaming in Montana in hopes of legal sports betting. [NewKerala]
ICYMI from Sports Handle and US Bets
What is the true cost of “official” league data?
How Las Vegas bookies uncovered ’94 ASU point-shaving scandal.
Check out PointsBet NJ’s ‘Make It Rain’ March Madness promotion.
Connecticut lawmakers still all talk, no action.
A pair of Kansas bills would legalize sports betting through the lottery and racetracks.
Westgate Superbook offering unique first-round NCAA contest.
In the wider world of sports
RAIDER NATION… IM HERE 💀 https://t.co/d3X7tEjBTC pic.twitter.com/nqcUpmXbVX
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) March 14, 2019
WHY OBJ WENT TO CLEVELAND: Maybe the star receiver just needs a better QB to throw him the ball. [Cleveland.com]
BYE, BYE BLAKE: Jacksonville releases Blake Bortles after signing Nick Foles. [NFL.com]
Wow. St. Mary’s knocks out a bubble team with their huge win over Gonzaga and just made Selection Sunday even more interesting. #WCC #Gaels https://t.co/sUnYzSt5Tn
— College Basketball Tidbits (@CBB_Tidbits) March 13, 2019
BOTTOM OF THE BARREL: A remarkably bad Pac-12 could send only one team to NCAAs. [WSJ]
