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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 U.S. sports betting headlines, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.
Top stories around our network this week
There are plenty of people in legal betting states — this writer included — who vacation each summer at North Carolina beaches and have to go cold turkey on the mobile sports wagering apps they’ve been using all year. That will be different, apparently, when we return to frolic in the Atlantic Ocean surf once more in 2024.
More to the point, the adults among the 10 million-plus year-round residents of North Carolina can expect to be able to bet by phone or computer sometime next year. That’s because there’s every indication that the North Carolina House next week will concur with changes the Senate made to a House-approved digital betting bill. Once that happens, the bill would be sent to Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to sign it.
North Carolina would follow Kentucky and Vermont as states where lawmakers approved mobile sports betting this year. North Carolinians for several years have been able to visit retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos, but opening the market to online platforms vastly expands the amount of wagering taking place, as New York demonstrated when moving from a retail-only system to one allowing mobile operators in January 2022.
The Senate-amended bill would allow for up to 12 digital operators and eight retail locations — tied to sports facilities — to provide broad sports wagering to those age 21 and over, with an 18% tax rate on their revenue. State regulators would be supposed to have them ready to launch within 12 months from the law’s passage.
It’s very possible that the activity in Raleigh will mark the end of legal sports betting expansion in 2023, but it will hardly be the end of public discussion on the topic in additional states. Count on Sports Handle‘s staff and affiliated sites to stay on top of those and broader industry issues, as articles below from the past week demonstrate. And to be further informed on gambling industry developments, check out US Bets and its weekly column feature, Double Down, as well as the latest Gamble On podcast.
A seamy side of college baseball
Indiana man reportedly at center of college baseball betting misconduct
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University of Cincinnati baseball coach resigns
Another notch for Fanatics
Maryland Lottery issues mobile wagering license to Fanatics Sportsbook
Illinois not looking for major change
Illinois responsible gambling bill language scrapped in General Assembly
RG money disappears in D.C.
Problem gambling funding officially cut from D.C. budget
There’s nothing like encouraging arbitrage
Prophet Exchange wants its customers to engage in arbitrage
Schuetz’s message backs the media
The ‘Risky Wager’ series from New York Times was no hit piece — it’s reality
Just not what college is for
Report: Caesars and Michigan State University end partnership
Betting on bowling? Don’t spare us
Betting on bowling gets a little easier as Tour finals approach
An interesting Lions offseason
Jameson Williams addresses suspension as another Lion comes under scrutiny
If it’s revenue you want …
Nevada sports wagering handle fell just shy of $600 million for April
April brings newcomer Ohio its lowest betting activity thus far
Virginia tops $10 billion in all-time sports wagering handle
Colorado clears $12 billion in all-time handle
Massachusetts to review racetrack sportsbook
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission indicated this week that it would begin the application review for the Caesars Sportsbook at Raynham Park and that it was sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for investigation of offshore wagering sites.
The Raynham Park facility, one of two racetracks approved for wagering, will open a temporary sportsbook as soon as it is approved, representatives from Caesars said at an MGC meeting. A 30,000-square-foot permanent sportsbook is to open subsequently at the track. Retail wagering at three commercial casinos went live in Massachusetts Jan. 31, and six digital platforms went live March 10.
The commission also voted to join at least seven other states in an effort to pressure the federal government to crack down on black-market sportsbooks. From the text of the letter approved by the MGC for submission to Garland: “Illegal, offshore gambling operators are not held to these same standards by any regulatory authority, and often take advantage of the legalized landscape in jurisdictions such as Massachusetts to attract customers to their products.”
— Jill R. Dorson
Vermont isn’t quite legal yet
Despite some media reports to the contrary, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has not yet signed into law H127, the bill approved by the legislature to legalize sports betting. According to the governor’s media office, as of mid-week the bill had not yet been transmitted to Scott’s office. Once Scott does receive the bill, he’ll have five days (not including Sundays) to sign, which he is expected to do.
The House concurred with an amended Senate version of the bill in early May. Vermont’s new law legalizes digital-only wagering with up to six platforms.
— Jill R. Dorson
Tweet of the week
Congrats to the @CaesarsSports bettor who bet $10K on the Heat alternative spread of +30.5.
Bet netted $250.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 2, 2023
More of the most important, interesting stories
WHERE ARE THE LAKERS AND BRUINS? Betting interest expected to be down with NBA, NHL finals lacking marquee matchups [Associated Press]
BE SURE THAT SOME WILL BET TOO MUCH ANYWAY: Bill Miller: NBA finals will trigger a surge in sports betting. We need to help problem gamblers [USA TODAY]
WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? As legal gambling surges, should schools teach teens about risk? [Associated Press]
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING PERHAPS: In-game betting has changed how many watch sports, and even some gamblers warn of consequences [CBC]
— Jamie Strashin (@StrashinCBC) May 31, 2023
SEE YOU TWO YEARS FROM NOW: Texas sports betting advocates target 2025 push as legislative season ends with no joy [EGR]
SEC REACTS TO ALL THE BAD NEWS: SEC puts emphasis on gambling after college sports roiled by multiple wagering scandals [Associated Press]
ANOTHER UNIVERSITY DEAL TERMINATED: LSU dropping out of controversial sports betting deal with Caesars [WWL]
ADS GET PLENTY OF ATTENTION IN ONTARIO: 40+ submissions delivered from industry stakeholders as Ontario’s regulator reviews gambling ad standards [CDC Gaming Reports]
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