The studio setup looks familiar, but the operation itself is spiritless, bearing more resemblance to CNBCs coverage of the stock market than to the typical sports show, whose belligerent repartee is familiar to anyone who has ever watched a game with friends. The FanDuel experience is less communal, more customized. Ive enjoyed watching my roommate earn the spoils of his wagers, but they more often reflect the failures of my own.

In the film Uncut Gems, set in the gray-market days of 2012, the gambling-addicted jeweler Howard Ratner charters his mistress a helicopter from New York City to the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut, carrying a duffel bag of $155,000 to place a three-way parlay on Game 7 of the Celtics-Sixers playoff series. More recently, I had to lift exactly one finger, my thumb, in order to lose $10 on a five-way parlay. Sports gambling once evoked casinos and currency counters and smoky back rooms with college football playing on cathode-ray TVs. Now the experience is brought to us directly, casually and conveniently, as with so many other things we once had to seek out or wait for: phone calls, pornography, political arguments.

When I was young, my father would sometimes ask if I thought the Baltimore Ravens would win their next game. I never wanted to answer: The very act of predicting seemed to me to have karmic consequences, as if I might rankle the football gods. Like organized religion or dieting, this kind of passive but sustained commitment to the franchise of your choice can feel ennobling, and we expect to reap its rewards accordingly to win a championship, or gain entry to heaven, or look somewhat like a catalog model before summer. This, to me, was the point of the whole covenant, of faith and fandom itself.

But it turns out that with a few clicks and a bit of cash, we can render that whole bargain meaningless. Why stake your mental health on your teams winning or losing when we can contrive for ourselves a cluster of smaller games within the larger one? Games in which we control the terms of engagement, adjusting our loyalties from night to night? Never in human history have there been more ways to win, FanDuel tells us so many, in fact, that you might forget the cardinal one altogether. And what a strange relief that is, when youre stuck with the Knicks.

Source photographs: Shutterstock

Read this article:

Sports Betting Has Become So Easy That the Sports Seem Secondary - The New York Times

In summary

Of the different efforts to legalize sports betting in California, one would require over $100 million in fees a move experts say limits competition in what is forecasted to be a multi-billion dollar industry.

One of the measures Californians will likely get to vote on this fall does more than just allow betting on sports: Critics are concerned it will effectively block smaller gaming companies and startups from operating in the state.

Those are high stakes for an industry that could rake in over $3.5 billion each year from California bettors and for a state that prefers to see itself as the startup capital of the world.

Of the four sports betting initiatives competing to make Novembers ballot, one, paid for by online sports betting giants FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM, would allow gaming companies and Native American tribes to provide sports betting online across the state.

But embedded in the initiative are requirements that would be very difficult if not impossible for the companies smaller competitors to meet, experts say.

If the initiative passes, gaming companies would have to pay a $100 million licensing fee to do business in the state, as well as already be licensed in 10 states, or be operating in five states and running 12 casinos.

I think its absolute nonsense, said John Holden, a professor at Oklahoma State University who studies sports gambling policy. I think whats effectively happening is, basically, the 5 to 10 frontrunners in the market have decided Alright, lets ensure that theres no one else who can compete by agreeing to pay these exorbitant license fees.

The $100 million fee, Holden said, essentially ensures no startups will be able to operate in California.

The fee is one way the measure generates significant revenue to fund homelessness housing and mental health treatment and provide financial support for California Tribal nations, Nathan Click, a spokesperson for the initiatives campaign, wrote in a statement.

California is best served by creating a safe and tightly regulated sports betting market, one where customers can know they are working with experienced platforms with a proven track record of safe and responsible operation in other markets, Click wrote.

FanDuel and BetMGM did not respond to CalMatters request for an interview. DraftKings directed CalMatters interview request to Click, the campaign spokesperson.

The initiative backed by sports betting companies would:

The states Legislative Analysts Office wrote in its assessment of the measure that its uncertain how much money the new taxes and fees would generate for the state, but it could reach the mid-hundreds of millions per year.

The measure hasnt qualified for the ballot yet its still gathering signatures. But Click, the spokesperson for the campaign, said the measure is well ahead of where it needs to be to qualify.

Other measures that legalize sports betting could make the ballot or are already eligible. One, backed by a coalition of tribes, would allow sports betting at tribal casinos and four horse race tracks only, while another, backed by a separate coalition of tribes, would allow tribes to offer online and in-person sports betting exclusively. Native American tribes have long had the exclusive right to offer certain forms of gambling in California. Many tribes are campaigning against the gaming companies initiative arguing, among other things, that it would threaten tribes sovereignty and self-reliance.

If one of the initiatives passes, California would become one of over 30 states to legalize betting on sports. The industry could generate $3.57 billion per year in net revenue for entities offering sports betting to people in California if online and in-person betting is legalized and many companies are able to operate, according to projections from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming LLC, a research firm. Thats larger than the firms projections for Texas, New York, or Florida.

The $100 million licensing fee is much higher than what any other state has on the books, said Becca Giden, director of policy for Eilers & Krejcik. Now, New Yorks $25 million licensing fee is the highest, she said. Most states that have legalized sports betting have licensing fees in the low single-digit millions or hundreds of thousands and no other state requires companies to already be licensed in other states, according to Giden.

The requirement that a company already be licensed in 10 states would cut off smaller companies and startups that are only licensed in a few states, Giden said. That, combined with the fee, would meaningfully limit the ability of small companies and startups to participate in the market, she said.

Early-stage startups that get money from venture capitalists generally raise around $5 million to $20 million in their first round, said Olav Sorenson, a sociologist at UCLAs Anderson School of Management who studies entrepreneurship. But only about 1 out of every 100 startups get any venture capital money, Sorenson said. When you include startups that rely on credit card loans and other sources of funds, the amount of money new companies have at their disposal shrinks.

Very, very few startups would be able to afford that kind of fee, Sorenson said. I think its going to dramatically limit competition.

A few companies already dominate online sports betting. FanDuel commands 31% of the U.S. market, followed by DraftKings with 26%, BetMGM with 16% and Caesars with 12%, according to research from Eilers & Krejcik.

Very, very few startups would be able to afford that kind of fee. I think its going to dramatically limit competition.

The goal of this seems to be to create an oligopoly market for sports betting, said Marc Edelman, a law professor at Baruch College who specializes in sports, gaming, and antitrust law. It would, he said, benefit a limited number of companies to the detriment of smaller companies and consumers.

MaximBet, a sports betting company launched in 2021, is so far licensed in one state: Colorado. The company tries to set itself apart by offering bettors in-person experiences glitzy masquerade parties, meet-and-greets with pro players, or the opportunity to drive a Ferrari around a race track, said Doug Terfher, vice president of marketing for the company.

Because the company is licensed in just one state, it wouldnt be able to operate in California yet under the initiative backed by the gaming companies or the initiatives backed by the tribes. We want (California) to be as open and available to as many operators as possible with where we are in our growth journey, Terfher said.

MaximBet is working on getting licensed in 10 states and in Ontario, Canada, but the process is slow. If the company is able to get licensed in five states this year, itll be an amazing year, said Terfher.

Most states are restricting the number of companies that can offer sports betting, said Daniel Wallach, a Florida-based gaming lawyer who has testified in front of state legislatures considering legalization. States do this with other forms of gambling too. Its commonplace, he said, for gaming not to be a free for all, where any company can participate. There have to be some baseline standards, he said, that ensure that a companys integrity, experience, and track record are closely scrutinized.

Historically, organized crime groups have been involved in the gambling industry, Wallach said, so state legislatures and gaming agencies are very careful to limit who can operate in this heavily regulated industry.

If smaller companies cant do business in California, that means fewer options for would-be bettors and potentially less innovation.

Youd basically end up with a lot less choice, said Holden.

One up-and-coming product Holden cited is exchange-based wagering, where bettors can trade wagers with each other throughout a game, similar to how day traders buy and sell stocks.

Sporttrade, a Philadelphia-based startup that offers stock-market-like sports betting, is working on getting licensed in New Jersey, Colorado, Indiana, and Louisiana. Could it cough up $100 million and get licensed in 10 states in order to come to California?

No chance, said Alex Kane, the companys CEO. Hes all for regulations that protect consumers, he said, but thinks a $100 million licensing fee doesnt have anything to do with that. Instead, Kane said he thinks the bigger companies writing the initiative dont want to face competition. Theyre looking at What would we be willing to pay to get rid of competition altogether? Kane said. You can see that its worth a lot of money to them.

And if its difficult for new companies to reach customers in California, that could wind up shaping not just what services are offered, but who offers them. Such a high financial barrier to entry makes it nearly impossible for minority-owned businesses or new businesses or entrepreneurial ventures to even attempt to compete, said Edelman, the law professor at Baruch College. If theres not a lot of competition between sports betting vendors, that might also lead to worse prices for customers, he said.

To presume that a company that could spend a lot of money is ethical and a company that could spend a small amount of money is not ethical is very dubious logic.

If the initiative backed by the gaming companies passes, California wouldnt be the most restrictive state not even close. Delaware has essentially limited sports betting to three casinos. Washington D.C. enabled one app, run by the DC Lottery, to offer online sports betting city-wide, while other companies are limited to the geographic areas surrounding sports arenas theyve cut deals with. Somes states have set limits on the number of licenses theyll offer. Washington state made sports betting the exclusive domain of Native American tribes, and Maine seems poised to make a similar decision.

Regulators can make rules that protect consumers and ensure gaming companies act responsibly without limiting the number of companies that can operate. The fact that many states have limited the number of licenses theyll give out isnt necessarily because thats the optimal set up for consumers. Its because theyve been lobbied by casinos, racetracks, and other groups that already have a stake in gambling, said Giden.

If the goal is to ensure that companies operate ethically, then regulators should be reviewing companies past business practices across all lines of business, said Edelman, the gaming and antitrust law professor.

To presume that a company that could spend a lot of money is ethical and a company that could spend a small amount of money is not ethical is very dubious logic, he said.

Original post:

California sports betting initiative would block competition - CalMatters

Lawmakers return to Topeka on Monday for the veto session after leaving several high-profile issues unresolved before the abrupt adjournment of the regular session earlier this month.

After three weeks away from the capitol,politicians will resolve policy debates with the looming election season. The governor's race is heating up with political advertisements hitting the airwaves.

Some major legislative proposals are unlikely to succeed. Despite efforts to pass medical marijuana, Medicaid expansion and election security bills, those appear unlikely to cross the finish line.

The top issues to watch include taxes, budgets, legalizing sports betting, veto overrides and public health measures.

Gov. Laura Kelly's signature policy priority this session is on rough footing as election season heats up.

After legislative leadership never advanced any tax bills to the floor, lawmakers negotiated dozens of tax proposals into three bills during conference committee week. Only one passed before the spring break.

Kelly signed that bill, HB 2239, which was a collection of 29 previously separate tax bills. The $310million in tax cuts over three years is highlighted by $134million in residential property tax cuts, amounting to $46per year for most homeowners.

A food sales tax cut could be in the works, but GOP leadership and Kelly have competing plans. Kelly wants to fully eliminate the state's 6.5% sales tax on groceries starting this summer with HB 2487. The proposal from GOP leadership, HB 2106, would wait until after election day to gradually reduce the tax until it reaches zero in 2025.

More: Is a food sales tax cut still on the table for Kansans? Election year posturing raises doubts.

A third tax bill, HB 2597, is a collection of bigger-ticket and more controversial tax policies. The various pieces will collectively cost an estimated $432million over three years.

The billmost notably includes COVID-19 retail storefront property tax relief, which would use approximately $56 million in additional funds from the federal government.

One budget bill, SB 267, has already been signed into law. But a budget omnibus bill is still to come with further spending plans, and the Legislature has yet to pass a budget for K-12 education.

The debates come after newconsensus revenue estimates last week increased the projected tax revenue by $340 million over two fiscal years. State coffers are currently projected to have a $3.1 billion budget surplus at the end of fiscal year 2023.

With the windfall, educators have pushed formillions of dollars in additional special education funding. The education budget has been held up by policy debates politicians chose to attachto school funding.

More: Kansas Legislature may require use of private math plan Math Nation. Critics say reasons don't add up.

The governor's office has requested budget amendments, highlighted by a proposed one-time $250 tax rebate to all Kansas residents who filed a tax return.

"I want to return this money to the people who earned it," Kelly said."Especially right now, when we are all experiencing the impact of rising costs at the pump and the grocery store, the state can make an immediate and direct impact to help Kansas families pay their bills and save for the future."

Such a plan would cost about $460 million, but it is unlikely to win the approval of Republican lawmakers, who view it as an attempt to buy votes during an election year.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, the Republican frontrunner in the governor's race, called on the Legislature to further pay down pension debt. Such a move would lead to long-term savings on debt service. He told policymakers that they should "resist the temptation for a new spending spree."

"Legislators also should fully fund public schools as promised, reduce or eliminate the state sales tax on groceries, and then place the rest of this windfall in a rainy day fund," Schmidt said.

Republican leadership will seek to whip enough votes to override a slew of gubernatorial vetoes.

The most notable vetoes came on a pair of bills to implement a so-called parents' bill of rights and toban transgender students from competing on girls and women's sports teams.

The parents' bill of rights bill, SB 58, is designed to increasethe ability for parents to inspect and review curriculumused in classrooms.Kelly called it a"teacher demoralization act."

Educators have said the concept is overly burdensome, though the version approved by the Legislature was less restrictive than what some Republican lawmakers pushed for.

To override the veto, Republicans need 17 more yeas in the House and four more in the Senate.

The transgender sports ban, SB 160, needs 10 more ayes in the House and two more in the Senate to override the veto. Kelly also vetoed the bill last year, which critics have said is an attack on LGBT youth. Proponents say they are trying to protect the integrity of female sports.

Additional veto override attempts could come on two other bills.

Kelly vetoed a food stamp bill,HB 2448, which had a veto-proof majority in the Senate but was 14 votes short in the House. The bill creates a new work training requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents who work fewer than 30 hours a week.

More: Food stamp recipients won't be required to complete work training program after Kansas governor veto

The governor also vetoedSB 286, which paired anexpansion ofCOVID liability immunity protections for health care facilities with various other provisions. That bill barely squeaked through the Legislature after opposition from Democrats and far-right Republicans.

Kelly said she would like to see new legislation that renews the liability protections using the previous language, which the Legislature allowed to expire.

Republicans won't override a veto on another controversial bill because Kelly signed it, despite objections of most Democrats. The law, which Schmidt introduced as HB 2717to prevent local sanctuary cities for immigrants, had enough votes in the Legislature to override a veto.

More: Some activists say Kansas Gov. Kelly hit 'new low' after sanctuary city ban. Will it impact the election?

Lawmakers were unable to pass a bill legalizing sports betting before taking their break. The Senate didn't take up the issue afterSB 84squeaked by in the House with the slimmest of majorities.

The bill would amend current laws to allow sports wagering operations by lottery gaming facilities. It would also authorize historical horse race machines under parimutuel racing statutes.

A late addition the lengthy legislation was a provision apparently targeted at luring the Kansas City Chiefs to move across the state line. The mechanism would direct most of the state's sports gambling revenues into a fund aimed at attracting professional sports to Kansas. The money would be controlled by legislative leadership and the governor's office.

Despite policy disagreements and controversy, lawmakers are expected to legalize sports gambling before leaving Topeka. Expansion advocates don't want Missouri to beat Kansas to the punch.

More: Want to bet on sports in Kansas? If lawmakers have their way, you'll be able to soon.

When Kelly signed the November special session law guaranteeing religious and moral exemptions to workplace vaccine mandates, the governor indicated that her signature would preempt further legislation targeting public health measures.

That strategy appears to have worked so far, as conservative Republicans have been unable to pass bills targeting vaccines and quarantines while promoting off-label drugs.

The Senate previously passed four bills SB 489, SB 541, HB 2280 and HB 2416 though none of them reached the 27-vote supermajority needed to override a veto, and the House never acted on any of them.

More: 'Back to normal' rewrites of public health laws pass Kansas Senate, but not with veto-proof majorities

The bill that appears most likely to advance is also the one that has been the most controversial: HB 2280, which promotes ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as off-label COVID-19 treatment, preempts health board investigations related to the pandemic and grants moral exemptions to all childhood wellness vaccines required to attend schools and day cares.

There may be an attempt to tie the fate of the ivermectin bill to another one one the 988 suicide hotline.

That bill, SB 19, would appropriate $10 million for call centers and support services. But there is a concern among some legislators that senators may block the bill if HB 2280 doesn't advance. A similar move happened last month when House negotiators refused a Senate demand to insert anti-quarantine provisions into SB 12,which is focused on Kansas Department for Children and Families contracts.

The provisions came from SB 489, which overhauls quarantine laws to strip local health officers and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from ordering quarantines and isolations for any infectious disease.

Among the provisions in the various rewrites of public health laws aremask mandates bans onany level of government, blockingschools from discriminating based on COVID-19 vaccination status andrequiringgovernment compensation for businesses affected by public health orders.

Republicans have especially pushed for expanding religious exemptions on childhood vaccine mandates to include non-religious moral and ethical beliefs.

Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, said at a legislative forum earlier this month that HB 2280 is "still very much alive."

"It really isn't anybody else'sright to judge your sincerity in regards to that religious exemption," Steffen said. "You basically take a napkin and a crayon and write, 'I don't want this shotbecause it's not good for me,I don't believe in it,'and that has to be accepted as an exemption."

More: Ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine off-label prescription bill passes Kansas Senate in late-night vote

Jason Tidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Tidd.

Read more from the original source:

From tax cuts to sports betting, here are the top 5 issues to watch when lawmakers return to Topeka - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Its information overload everywhere, and theres not time enough to sleep and eat and stay fully apprised of whats happening on this crazy blue dot of ours (two out of three aint bad). Heres the weekend Sports Handle item, Get a Grip, recapping the weeks top U.S. sports betting stories, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.

As the sports betting bonanza continues in the U.S., it stands to reason that not everything will go smoothly every step of the way. Stakeholders in many different spheres including bettors, operators, legislators, regulators, vendors, and more still have plenty to learn and change in the legalized sports betting world.

So, what issues popped up this week? Lets dive in.

Californias war over sports betting gets hotter

Licensed Ontario operators frustrated with ongoing black market operations

NHL remains mum on Sportradars activities in Russia

American Gaming Association, sports bettors need to work together

Carousel Group fined for MaximBets 16 days of missed geolocation checks in Colorado

Is fixed-odds horse racing legal in Michigan? Maybe!

Charlie Blackmon becomes first active MLB player to sign deal with a sportsbook

South Carolina politicians introduce another sports betting bill

Maine legislators take major step toward legal sports betting

Massachusetts Senate president, who opposes gambling, continues to slow sports betting process

Maryland online sports betting launch likely still months away

Beto ORourke voices support for legal sports betting in Texas

Expansion of New Yorks sports betting menu likely wont happen in 2022

Sportsbooks, particularly FanDuel, cleaned up in New York last week

New Jersey sportsbooks betting handle back to a billion in March

Michigan sports betting handle in March was up nearly 23% from the same month a year ago

BetMGM vaulted ahead of DraftKings last month in handle

Pennsylvania sportsbooks rebounded nicely in March

Tennessee posts $370 million in sports betting handle for March

Louisiana sportsbooks clean up in March, gross nearly $31 million in revenue

Connecticut sportsbooks bounce back from sluggish February

HHR setback compels Grants Pass Downs to cancel meet, but the race may not be over

As 888 continues the expansion of its SI Sportsbook brand, the company made a splash earlier this week with the hiring of former Bleacher Report CEO Howard Mittman as president of its U.S. division.

Mittman, who served as CEO of Bleacher Report for a four-year period through 2020, oversaw the launch of B/R Betting, the sites sports betting project, as well as the opening of a Las Vegas-based studio. In 2018, B/R Live hosted The Match, a made-for-TV, 18-hole match play event between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Held several months after the Supreme Courts historic PASPA decision, The Match marked the first time a network partnered with a major sportsbook to integrate live odds into a sports broadcast.

I have been hugely impressed by the people Ive met within the business, particularly their passion for product and the customer experience, and I share their excitement about the significant opportunities ahead, Mittman said in a statement.

In September, 888 launched the SI Sportsbook in its first U.S. state, with a rollout in Colorado. The company plans to launch in several additional states in the coming year.

This key appointment comes at a hugely exciting point in our long-term growth strategy, said Itai Pazner, CEO of 888.

Matt Rybaltowski

Rupert Murdochs News Corp is reportedly primed to enter Australias hyper-competitive sports betting market in time for spring horse racing season, which gets underway in August.

According to The Wall Street Journal, BetMakers will provide technology for the venture, which has a working title of BetR. News Corp will be part of a consortium that includes Las Vegas-based Tekkorp Capital and Matthew Tripp, who has held executive positions with several Australian sports betting companies, including industry leader SportsBet.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that News Corp has been exploring an entry into the sports betting space for at least a year. But perhaps it got the idea from a scene in the most recent season of Succession, which is not-so-loosely based on the Murdoch family, in which the multimedia company Waystar Royco akin to a fictional News Corp declares its intent to expand into sports betting.

Mike Seely

Another South Dakota tribe received approval from the federal government to offer sports betting on its tribal land.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of the Interior published in the Federal Register final approval of the amended compact between the Standing Rock Sioux and the state of South Dakota, which expands the tribes authority to offer sports betting on all Indian lands.

Now that the amendment is official, the Standing Rock Sioux are free to open a sportsbook at their casino.

Ted Dahlstrom

JUMPED THE GUN?: Fanatics denies Amelco sportsbook deal [iGB]

NEW FACE: DAZN Group announces strategic partnership to launch DAZN Bet [PR Newswire]

HELP WANTED: NFL seeks sports betting czar [Sportico]

TIME FOR CHANGE: National Indian Gaming Association drops N from acronym [Native News Online]

DOWN TO THE WIRE: Vegas, Churchill optimistic about Derby betting deal [Horse Racing Nation]

VIOLATION: Illegal gambling ringleader admits violating terms of release [Nevada Independent]

WHATS NEXT?: The future of sports betting in North Carolina [Spectrum News]

Originally posted here:

Get A Grip The Week In Sports Betting: Issues Abound - Sports Handle

For the second time, sports betting in Maine is a signature away from legalization as it heads to Gov. Janet Millss desk.

LD 585 was taken off the Appropriations Table Monday morning, the final step needed before Mills can approve it. Both the House and Senate passed the bill last Tuesday.

Advancing past the table was an important milestone since that is where legislation to legalize sports betting in Maine failed last year despite passage from both chambers.

Sports betting is just one part of LD 585, which is a larger bill concerning tribal sovereignty. It creates four mobile sports betting licenses in the state, one for each of the federally recognized tribes in the state. There are 10 retail sports betting licenses available for casinos, tracks and OTBs.

Mills used the mobile exclusivity as a bargaining chip in negotiations, which is why her signature is expected.

Mills did not approve of LD 1352, the legislation passed by both chambers last year and left on the Appropriations Table. That gave mobile licenses to both tribal and commercial entities.

Nothing is certain until Mills puts her signature on the bill, though.

The governor vetoed a sports betting bill in 2019. Mills said she was unconvinced the majority of Maine residents wanted legal sports betting while citing other odd reasoning about betting on spelling bees and local elections in her veto letter.

Should she sign as expected, though, that means only two states will be left without legal sports betting in New England:

Maine will tax sports betting revenue at 10%, though that is not on gross revenue. Maine will allow promotions and federal excise tax payments to be deducted from taxable revenue.

All licenses are good for four years, with mobile licenses costing $200,000 while retail licenses will cost just $4,000. Supplier licenses and management service licenses will cost $40,000each.

There is no betting on Maine colleges, though betting on tournaments those schools are involved in is allowed.

Read this article:

Maine Sports Betting Bill Moves Off Table, On To Governor - Legal Sports Report

Without a dominant quarterback prospect in the NFL Draft, teams could stock up on wide receivers during the first round on Thursday.

FOX Bet has set the line for wide receivers picked in the first round at 6.5, so let's take a look at some prospects.

For more, from gambling-friendly schedules featuring live, updating odds to expert analysis and the day's most-bet games, check out the NFL section on FOX Bet, the FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com!

Ohio State's Garrett Wilson is FOX Bet's favorite to be the first WR drafted, followed by Alabama's Jameson Williams,USC's Drake London,Arkansas Treylon Burks and Ohio State's Chris Olave.

Number of WRs taken in the first round

Under 6.5: -149 (bet $10 to win $16.71)Over 6.5: +110 (bet $10 to win $21)

"It's a pretty solid wide receiver group," FOX Sports betting expert Jason McIntyre said. "This is one I still like the over 6.5. You could make a case that eight could go in the first round, seven is more realistic, five is a lock, six is kind of the pivot point."

FOX Sports betting analyst Geoff Schwartz expects receivers to be popular toward the end of the first round, citing the Kansas City Chiefs looking to replace the departed Tyreek Hill.

"I wouldn't take the over here. ... You get to Kansas City, they're the wild card at the very end of the first round at 29 and 30," Schwartz said. "If all six of these guys are gone, which are consensus top-six wide receivers, the Chiefs still have needs at cornerback and defensive end. They'll have guys graded higher at those positions. ... I think the Chiefs are the team at the bottom here who could kind of determine if it's over or not. I don't think they reach for those guys because edge rushers will go fast."

PICK: Under 6.5 receivers (at FOX Bet) picked in the first round

Said FOX Sports betting analyst Sam Panayotovich, "I hate the jump from 5.5 to 6.5. I would've gone over 5.5 and now I sort of lean under 6.5. It's funny how that one position, it changes everything. 5.5 to 6.5? Well, it's an entire player."

First receiver drafted

Garrett Wilson -125 (bet $10 to win $18)Jameson Williams +150 (bet $10 to win $25)Drake London +250 (bet $10 to win $35)Treylon Burks +1800 (bet $10 to win $190)Chris Olave +2200 (bet $10 to win $230)Skyy Moore +3300 (bet $10 to win $340)Jahan Dotson +3400 (bet $10 to win $350)Christian Watson +5000 (bet $10 to win $510)George Pickens +7500 (bet $10 to win $760)Justyn Ross +9000 (bet $10 to win $1,000)

McIntyre, Panayotovich and Schwartz debated which wide receiver will be the first selected. Since there was no consensus, that shows the depth of the pool of pass catchers.

"As good of a wide receiver class as it is, there might not be a lot of guys actually taken in the Top 10. ... I think we get a run on wide receivers from about 10 to about 30 is kind of where these six or seven guys," Schwartz said.

McIntyre predicts Wilson will be the first receiver taken. The New York Jets own the fourth and 10th picks, with the latter pick being the logical spot for the former Buckeye.

"I love him for my Jets," McIntyre said. "I pray that the Falcons don't take him at No. 8 because he would fit perfectly with the Jets. I mean, they could use anyone on the outside, but the kid Wilson, I've got him as the best receiver in the draft."

PICK: Garrett Wilson (-125 at FOX Bet) first receiver drafted

Schwartz is looking for a bigger payout with the first receiver drafted.

"I can see a team say, 'Hey, Drake London is our guy,' right? He's a big, physical guy, goes up and catches the ball," Schwartz said. "Maybe the Jets at 10 take him first, right, if Atlanta goes pass rusher, Seattle goes offensive lineman.

"There's a way the Jets actually end up having the first wide receiver taken at 10. Maybe Drake London is their guy. I just think it's too volatile. There's not a consensus No.1 here. For that reason, I'd rather take the plus-money with Drake London here at +250."

PICK: Drake London (+250 at FOX Bet) first receiver drafted

Panayotovich said his play may be betting on "fringe" receivers such as Alabama's John Metchie (who tore his ACL late in the season) and Georgia's George Pickens instead of playing the number of wideouts picked in the first round.

"Rather than go over 6.5 receivers at +110, you could take a price on one of those two guys and get a much bigger payout. ... That's sort of how I would attack this market," Panayotovich explained.

PICK: George Pickens (+105 at FOX Bet) to be selected in first round

PICK: John Metchie (+800 at FOX Bet) to be selected in first round

McIntyre, leery of Pickens, said, "Somebody joked to me, he's got more red flags than the Daytona 500." But he does think Western Michigan's Skyy Moore could be a good catch for the Chiefs at the end of the first round.

"He's not Tyreek Hill, but he's in that mold where you can line him up (in the) slot, outside, backfield, he can kind of do it all," McIntyre said. "And if I'm Andy Reid looking to replace and you can't replace Tyreek Hill but find someone whose kind of a Swiss Army knife, the kid Moore can do it all."

PICK: Skyy Moore (+120 at FOX Bet) to be selected in first round

If you have a hunch on which wide receivers get their names called Thursday night, head over to FOX Bet to get your wagers in!

Play FOX Super 6 every weekfor your chance to win thousands of dollars every week.Just download the Super 6 app and make your picks today!

The rest is here:

NFL odds: Which wide receiver gets drafted first? Betting experts chime in - FOX Sports

Maine surprised last week when it became the first state to pass a legal sports betting bill in 2022, which now awaits Gov. Janet Mills approval.

A handful of other states are close behind, but with their legislative sessions winding down, lawmakers are quickly running out of time to resolve differencesaround legalizing.

To keep up with their fast-changing outlooks, we compiled this list of states most likely to legalize next, in order of likelihood.

Missouri is likely the surest state out of this bunch to legalize sports betting this year. Once it does, its the surest to get it quickly up and running.

Primary Bill Pending: HB 2502

Two bills passed by the House March 24 are making their way to the Senate floor, the final step before heading to Gov. Mike Parson (D), whos remained neutral on sports betting but called it inevitable.

In five years of failed legislation, its the farthest a sports betting bill has made it through Missouris legislature. But the Senate has its own version, which bill sponsors estimate could raise $140 million more a year under a higher tax.

Before it can become law both chambers will have to agree on a tax rate and pass identical versions before May 13, the last day of Missouris legislative session.

Regulation would fall under the Missouri Gaming Commission, which has overseen the statesriverboat casinos, charitable bingo, and fantasy sports contests since the early 90s.Already having an established regulatory body in place positions Missouri well to go live with sports betting quickly, once lawmakers act.

If I wrote this last month, Kansas would have been my best bet to be the next state to legalize.

Even after an unexpected amendment from House lawmakers, Im still bullish on Kansas. Its governor and legislature both want sports betting. Plus, its lawmakers have been so vocal about beating out Missouri, its hard to picture them bowing out now.

Primary bill pending: SB 84

A House Conference Committee amendment from earlier in April shifts funding, so that 80% of tax revenue from sports betting goes to attracting a new professional sports team. Industry observers have pegged it as a ploy to lure the Kansas City Chiefs, which have openly mulled relocating if Missouri doesnt foot the bill for a new stadium.

Before the change a disagreement on tax rates seemed to be the only major discrepancy between House and Senate lawmakers, just like in Missouri. But even that felt like more of a bump in the road than a road block; both sides need only to move about six percentage points from their desired rates.

A Senate Conference Committee will need to sign off on the same bill by May 20 in order to send it to the governor, though its unclear how theyll view the Houses amendment. The legislature is back this week after a month of recess, and that vote could come at any time.

Minnesotas sports betting bill hasnt progressed as far or as fast as these other ones, but its probably been the most steady of the bunch.

Primary Bill Pending: HF 778

Previous attempts to legalize fell short largely due to opposition from the states native tribes, which have a stronghold on gambling in the state.Now, the very reason House lawmakers have been able to rally tribal support could be what averts their Senate counterparts from getting on board.

The battle for Minnesota sports betting has been less about resistance to gambling and all about control.

The version awaiting its fifth committee hearing in the House would give the states 11 tribes a monopoly on sports betting. It has progressed relatively smoothly, despite the amount of hearings its received, but will likely be met with resistance in the Senate, which has been resistant to gaming expansion in the past, and is weighing a separate bill to give racetracks and pro sports teams a piece of the action.

Like theyve done in the past, the states tribes would likely pull out all stops to kill any bill that doesnt give them 100% control.

One of Commonwealths sports betting bills could be voted on in the Senate as early as this week, however it contains a laundry list of glaring differences from the Houses proposal, making its passage unlikely.

Primary bills pending: S 269G, H 3993

The Senates bill would tax sports betting more than double the rate desired by House lawmakers, though thanks to a ban on all collegiate betting (not just on Massachusetts colleges), it would raise about $25 million less annually in taxes, according to a fiscal analysis.

It would also prohibit bettors from funding online accounts with credit cards or from using credit cards to bet in person, which Senate leadership has said could help prevent impulsive bettors from racking up debt. The Senate bill also includes a plethora of advertising restrictions that operators probably wont like, like ad bans during live sports broadcasts.

Gov. Charlie Barker (D) has been supportive of sports betting for years, though for him to sign a bill House and Senate lawmakers must agree on the same proposal by July 31, the last day of Massachusetts legislative session.

If lawmakers do end up coming to an agreement in time, Massachusetts, like Missouri above, is also positioned to get a launch up and running quickly.

Read the original:

Sports Betting Legalization: Best Bets for Next States To Legalize - The Action Network

On Wednesday, the Oakland Athletics (9-9) are visiting the San Francisco Giants (13-5), at 9:45 PM ET. The Giants have won five straight.

The Athletics are an underdog (+125 moneyline odds) when they visit the Giants (-145). The Athletics will give the start to Paul Blackburn, but the Giants starter is yet to be announced for this game.

These teams meet again after the Giants took down the Athletics 8-2 yesterday. Carlos Rodon registered the win for the Giants (6.0 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 9 K), and Wilmer Flores led the way offensively (2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI). Daulton Jefferies (4.0 IP, 5 R, 4 H, 3 K) took the loss for the Athletics.

Heres what you need to prepare for Wednesdays Giants vs. Athletics game.

Major League Baseball odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 5:07 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Deposit $10, GET $200 INSTANTLY: Get action on this game! Place your legal sports bets in CO and NJ at Tipico Sportsbook. Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10, get $200 in betting credit instantly. 21+, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Place your legal, online sports bets in CO and NJ at Tipico Sportsbook now.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

See the rest here:

San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland Athletics odds, tips and betting trends - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire

MLB legend Pete Rose joined the OutKick 360 crew on Monday. Among the many topics in their interview, the OK360 panel discussed modern sports betting and how it changes the narrative on Roses legacy.

OutKick 360s Chad Withrow asked Pete what he thought of the stark contrast in the attitude toward sports betting now and during his time in baseball.

For years, pro sports would not embrace Las Vegas, Withrow said. You couldnt have a team there because guys were gonna be on the take and it was gonna look bad for the league and everyone was gonna think the game is fixed.

Withrow asked, Does that make you look around and think, What are we doing here with baseballs view of me, and what happened years ago when you see their willingness to embrace it now?

Not really because I just came along at the wrong time, Rose admitted.

Im not here to tell baseball what to do. As you know, baseball is all about making dollars. Im not here to try to tell baseball how to run its business, and Im certainly not going to tell the casinos how to run their business.

In the end result, I just hope everyones happy.

Watch the segment with Rose below and subscribe to OutKick 360s YouTube channel to watch the entire interview.

WATCH:

Go here to see the original:

MLB Legend Pete Rose on Sports Betting: 'I Came Along At The Wrong Time' - OutKick

There must be something in Pennsylvania's water. A week after a Pittsburgh bettor hit a 500-to-1 ticket on Marcus Smart winning Defensive Player of the Year, a BetMGM customer in the "Keystone State" banged a three-leg parlay at 1,551-to-1 odds. The parlay was comprised of first field goal scorer props from each of last night's three NBA playoff games and paid out $15,515 on a $10 wager.

As sports betting continues to be legalized in states across the country, first basket parlays have become a popular type of wager among bettors. What's not to love about an exponential sweat with astronomical odds?

The first two legs of the BetMGM customer's parlay were "exact method" first field goal props, where the bettor needed to nail not just who would score the game's first basket, but also how.

Needing a Kevin Huerter three-pointer to kick things off, the bettor caught an unfortunate break when the Heat won the opening tip. Miami's Max Strus missed a trey of his own, though, and Atlanta's De'Andre Hunter claimed the rebound. Eight seconds later, Huerter swished a corner three off a deflected pass.

Leg No. 2 also necessitated a three-pointer, this time from Memphis' Desmond Bane. The shooting guard buried a jumper from beyond the arc, 18 seconds after the Grizzlies claimed the tip-off. Bane would later be assessed a technical foul for shoving Timberwolves coach Chris Finch in one of the wildest games of the NBA season, which also featured the dunk of the year.

With the most difficult legs of the parlay wrapped up, the bettor just needed Phoenix's Deandre Ayton to score the first basket in the Suns-Pelicans nightcap to turn his sawbuck into more than $15,000. Ayton won the tip then found himself double-teamed on the baseline as the shot clock began to run out on the game's opening possession. The big man channeled Dirk Nowitzki, performing a 180-degree fadeaway to drain a jumper over Brandon Ingram and Jaxson Hayes, making our bettor five figures richer.

Story continues

Here is the parlay, complete with the odds for each leg:

Hawks-Heat First Field Goal Exact Method - Kevin Huerter three-pointer +2200

Grizzlies-Wolves First Field Goal Exact Method Desmond Bane three-pointer +1400

Suns-Pelicans First Field Goal Scorer Deandre Ayton +350

Continued here:

NBA betting: Someone turned ten bucks into $15K on a first basket parlay last night - Yahoo Sports

Junior high county meet

COLUMBIANA The 37th Columbiana County Middle School Track and Field Meet has been moved to Friday at Crestview High School.

The meet was orginally scheduled for today, but has been pushed back due to the chilly weather forecast.

Action will start at 4:30 p.m. Friday with the field events. The running events will start at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate.

YSU will play Ohio State

YOUNGSTOWN The Youngstown State football team will play Ohio State in 2023, the program announced Monday.

The game will take place Sept. 9.

The Buckeyes originally were supposed to play San Jose State that weekend, but the programs mutually agreed to call the game off, according to Ohio State Athletics.

The Penguins and Buckeyes last squared off in 2007 and 2008, when now YSU president Jim Tressel was the head coach at OSU.

Ohio State won both contests, 38-6 in 2007 and 43-0 in 2008.

YSU will receive $800,000 for playing the game.

Browns bet on Ballys

CLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Browns are going all in on sports betting.

The team announced a long-term partnership Tuesday with Ballys Interactive, a division of Ballys Corp.

that makes the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As part of the agreement, Ballys will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed bills to legalize sports books in the state late last year. Pending local approval and licensing, fans could begin legally betting in person on their favorite teams in 2023 and the Browns want to have those capabilities in place for the launch.

The Browns and Ballys Interactive also plan to have a mobile sports app that will allow fans to place bets.

Dave Jenkins, executive vice president and CEO of Haslam Sports Group, said Ballys vision meshes with the Browns for fans to have fully-integrated sports betting experiences.

As we continue to work closely with sports betting regulators in our state to ensure a responsible and timely launch, we are excited and confident that our partnership with Ballys will ultimately offer industry-leading benefits to fans throughout Cleveland and Ohio, Jenkins said.

The Browns and Ballys have not yet decided on the location for the stadium betting lounge. Fans who are 21 and older will have access to sports betting on game days while being able to watch games across the league.

In adding Ohio, Ballys will have market access to sports betting in 18 states.

In their release, the Browns and Ballys reminded fans to bet responsibly and provided information for the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700).

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

The rest is here:

SPORTS BRIEFING | News, Sports, Jobs - The Review

TEMECULA, Calif. Legal sports betting in the United States accelerated in 2021 as a flurry of states either overcame legislative logjams, as Ohio did just before Christmas, or signed off on online wagering, as New York did just after Election Day.

But those efforts are likely to pale in comparison to the all-out lobbying, campaigning and legal jousting in 2022 involving what a DraftKings executive recently called one of the holy grails in sports betting: California.

By November, Californians may be asked to vote on as many as four sports betting initiatives. Thats why deep-pocketed interests, including national sports books and Native American casinos, have been gearing up to spend $200 million to persuade voters in California to support their particular proposal or to reject the others.

One measure that has already qualified for the state ballot, sponsored by powerful tribes in California, would add sports wagering, but only in person, at tribal casinos or horse racing tracks. Online betting initiatives, now gathering signatures, dangle the prospect of making bets anywhere through the internet. Others offer a middle ground.

If one of the measures passes, nearly two-thirds of Americans will live in states that allow or regulate sports betting. And with California and New York on board, sports wagering would essentially be national in scope, fueling a market that Goldman Sachs recently estimated could grow to $40 billion in revenues in a decade from $900 million now.

Yet gambling expansion in California has often fallen short or been torpedoed by competing interests. Indeed, Californias card rooms, which primarily operate around larger cities and offer a more limited range of games, just filed a lawsuit to invalidate the qualified tribal measure.

Were never going to get sports betting figured out at any level unless California comes on board, Jason Giles, executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association, said at a recent sports betting conference at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. That will be the game changer for the United States.

Since the Supreme Courts decision in 2018 to strike down a federal law banning commercial sports betting in states other than Nevada, more than 30 states have authorized sports wagering, including about a dozen in the last year. More than 20 states have gone live.

New York just started mobile sports betting after awarding licenses for it to two coalitions featuring marquee names, Caesars Sportsbook and Ballys Interactive. Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio signed a bill legalizing sports betting in late December. And legislators in Wyoming and Arizona, among others, quickly approved sports betting.

Look at this massive expansion across the country and where we are its becoming very mainstream, said Brandt Iden, a former state representative in Michigan who pushed to legalize sports betting in his home state. Iden is now head of government affairs for Sportradar, which collects and analyzes data for sports books. I talk to legislators who say, you know what, I dont support gambling, but everybody is doing it.

Of the holdouts, Texas considered several bills in 2021, and some lawmakers expect momentum when the legislature reconvenes in 2023. Florida, meanwhile, is a mess: A federal judge recently blocked the Seminole Tribes new sports betting app, and DraftKings and FanDuel are racing to gather enough signatures to get a referendum on the 2022 ballot.

In California, gambling mostly on slot machines and blackjack has been legal for two decades on tribal lands under compacts negotiated with the state. The state also permits gambling at horse racing tracks, which was legalized in 1933, and card rooms, which trace their lineage to poker-playing miners during the Gold Rush.

Any changes would require constitutional amendments through a voter referendum, or legislation backed by the voters.

Previous attempts have bogged down; online poker, for instance, failed in part because the tribes themselves were split. But now there appears to be less resistance on moral and philosophical grounds.

If we think about progressive legislation, or legislation to protect consumer welfare, California lies at the forefront, whether we want to talk about minimum wage or privacy protection, said Marc Edelman, a law professor at Baruch College who has written extensively on sports gambling. If California legalizes sports gambling it becomes very unlikely that another state would arise as the consumer-oriented opposer of sports gambling.

This time, the push to expand gambling began before the pandemic, from a coalition of 18 tribes that have dominated casino gambling in the state.

Across the United States, tribal gambling generated $27.8 billion in revenue in its fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2020, despite the pandemic. California is the biggest state, with 66 tribal casinos on federally recognized lands, mostly far from the coast, yielding about $8 billion, with much of that coming from slot machines.

Under the tribes initiative, which is backed by a political action committee that has raised more than $13 million, sports wagering would be permitted at tribal casinos and horse tracks. Roulette and games played with dice, such as craps, would also be allowed under the proposal, which qualified for the ballot in May 2021 after collecting more than one million valid signatures.

One thing that is not included is online betting, because the initiative is intended to be a very measured, incremental step, said Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseo Indians in Riverside County.

We think this is the right thing to do for tribes and tribal sovereignty, he said at the conference here. Theres enough skittishness out there about what could happen to brick-and-mortar facilities.

The initiative would also create a new civil enforcement tool allowing anyone suspicious of any illegal gambling operations to file lawsuits. It is this provision that has fueled two separate but related efforts by Californias card rooms to defeat the tribes, and to get their own sports betting measure passed.

California has more than 80 card rooms ranging from pub-like places with a few poker tables to sleek behemoths with 270 tables accompanied by restaurants and plentiful A.T.M.s. Collectively, they employ 23,000 people in urban areas, many of them Asian, Black and Hispanic, and pump in $300 million in federal, state and local tax revenues each year, according to the California Gaming Association, a trade group.

Many municipal budgets rely heavily on the card rooms to finance vital services and bolster juvenile justice and other programs, said Mayor Tasha Cerda of Gardena, which has two card rooms. She has backed an initiative that would permit sports betting at the card rooms, tribal casinos and racetracks, as well as allow for internet sports betting. That initiative has raised $450,000 to date. Meanwhile, some of the bigger card rooms have poured more than $24 million into a No campaign against the tribes initiative.

During a recent tour of Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, adjacent to SoFi Stadium, the host of the Super Bowl next month and the College Football Playoff national championship in 2023, Deven Kumar, the casinos general manager, estimated sports betting could increase revenues already hurt by the coronavirus pandemic by 20 percent to 25 percent. He and James T. Butts Jr., Inglewoods mayor, warned that the tribes civil enforcement provision could drain their existing business by up to 75 percent, compounded by the inevitable legal costs.

They are attempting to make gambling a monopoly at the expense of others, Butts said. They are not the disenfranchised group they once were. The minority majority cities deserve the opportunity for equity as well.

In the city of Hawaiian Gardens, where the Gardens Casino supplied 68 percent of the tax revenues in the 2019-20 municipal budget, Keith A. Sharp, the casinos general counsel, said sports betting could transform Sundays at the casino now mostly empty into bustling periods where customers could wager on N.F.L. games while also playing baccarat or other games.

If the card rooms were hobbled, however, Nary Chin, a longtime card dealer and single mother of four, said she feared for her future.

I learned English in the card room, not school, said an emotional Chin, who immigrated from Cambodia in 1984. I am very grateful. This is my home. If I didnt have this job, I dont know what Id do.

The third initiative comes from online sports books, including DraftKings and FanDuel, that want to enter California for the first time and offer online betting.

The measure requires those companies to partner with tribes, and its supporters say voters can pass both their initiative and the tribes in-person one. Most of the states profits would be dedicated to homelessness measures, and to the tribes themselves. It would also allow betting on nonathletic events, like award shows and video game contests, but not youth sports or elections, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office.

We view brick-and-mortar as very complementary to mobile, Jonathan Edson, FanDuels senior vice president for business development, said at the sports betting conference.

California is one of the holy grails in sports, added Jeremy Elbaum, senior vice president for business development at DraftKings.

The supporters, buffeted by an initial $100 million from seven sports books, have lined up mayors in Long Beach, Oakland, Fresno and Sacramento, plus advocates working to combat a homeless crisis. They are confident they will collect enough signatures to be certified by the June ballot deadline.

We are focused on ongoing stable revenue to fund the key programs that we know we need, said Tommy Newman, vice president for engagement and activation at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. If were honest, this is regulating and capturing value from something that is happening, for people in communities that absolutely need the investment.

In November, a fourth initiative arrived supporting both online and in-person betting, backed by a different group of tribes, including the Rincon Band of Luiseo Indians and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Out-of-state and international gaming operators want to rewrite the balanced system California has created so that the future belongs to them, paying a pittance to serious local and statewide social problems, and trying to divide the Tribes by offering temporary riches to a few while taking future growth opportunities away from the rest, the tribes wrote in their application to the California attorney general.

A lawyer for the tribes, Scott Crowell, did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Some gambling analysts believe that a plethora of initiatives may confuse voters, who may just say no to everything. Another wild card is a lawsuit filed in December by two card rooms claiming that the qualified tribal initiative violates the state constitution, which says initiatives can focus only on one subject, because the tribes are trying to add retail sports betting as well as add more table games.

Still, no matter the outcome of the lawsuit or the ballot measures, many sports and technology companies are building audiences through free-to-play games, contests, fantasy sports and national marketing campaigns, even in states where sports betting has not yet been cleared, said Rob Phythian, founder and chief executive of SharpLink Gaming, a technology company.

Teams like the Minnesota Vikings have hired companies like SharpLink to build fantasy games. That could be consequential in California, where there are 19 teams in the N.F.L., M.L.B., N.B.A., N.H.L. and W.N.B.A. by far the most of any state.

Were just a bridge to betting, Phythian said. Its sort of like training the muscle.

Go here to read the rest:

Sports Bettings Next Big Election Battles Are in California - The New York Times

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday said hed gladly sign a bill to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts if state lawmakers pass one this session as he closes out his second term.

Speaking with reporters at the State House a day before his final State of the Commonwealth address, Baker said closing the deal on a bill that would open a burgeoning market to Massachusetts is one of several things hes hoping for in 2022.

There are many things that would make me happy before I leave office, if I have the chance to sign them, Baker said. One of them would certainly be a sports betting bill. Lieutenant Gov. [Karyn Polito] and I filed one several years ago, and filed it again after that. I know its a difficult issue with a lot of elements to it. And it would be my hope, of course, that our colleagues in the House and Senate would find a way to get to yes on that before the end of the legislative session.

He acknowledged sports betting is just one of many issues that state lawmakers and his office are working on, including a bill addressing mental health that he described as a critically important.

Sports betting is now legal in 31 states and Washington, D.C.

In a virtual discussion last fall with state Sen. Eric Lesser, who introduced a sports betting bill last year, gaming attorney Daniel Wallach noted that four out of the five states that border Massachusetts allow sports betting.

Some analysts and state lawmakers say the state is effectively giving away tens of millions of dollars in potential tax and licensing revenue as Massachusetts residents drive across state lines to place their bets.

Varying House and Senate proposals have called for offering sports betting licenses for casinos, race tracks and mobile apps that run digital sports books.

Last year, state Rep. Jerald A. Parisella told MassLive that retail operators and mobile partners could seek nearly a dozen combined licenses, leading to at least $70 million in application and licensing fees alone.

Earlier this month, nearly 90 bars, restaurants and private clubs pressed the Massachusetts Senate to legalize sports betting this year.

The business owners made the case that a boost in revenues tied to sports betting could help them better overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. And legalizing sports betting at local businesses is crucial, they said, to ensure customers are not lured away to casinos.

In a letter to all 40 state senators, the group of business owners and managers endorsed a sports wagering bill from Sen. Adam Gomez, writing it would increase tax revenue for Massachusetts, bolster geographic fairness for residents who do not live near casinos, and provide a safe option for betting.

Related Content:

Original post:

Gov. Charlie Baker would be happy to sign sports betting bill if state lawmakers pass one this session - masslive.com

Sports betting is no longer an outcast in society. Nowadays, it is more common to place bets on football games, golf tournaments, and the Super Bowl than ever before.

Sports betting has become so mainstream that some even consider it a job. The question isnt whether or not you should bet on sports; rather, the question is how you can get started and make money while doing it, as well as enjoying free bets. If you are looking for more information about sports betting, check out freebets.org.uk.

Here are the best ways to make money from online sports betting:

When youre new to the gambling scene, its easy to jump on websites that are questionable. However, if you want your money and information protected at all times there is no better choice than using an established site with positive reviews from users like yourself.

Sports betting sites are the best when it comes to betting because you can bet on sports with confidence knowing that your information is safe at all times.

No matter what type of online gambling site you choose in terms of sports betting, there is always a bonus code that can be used. Bonuses are the best way to make money because they provide you with an extra boost of cash without requiring any action on your part.

In order for this strategy to work effectively its important not only find reputable sites but also ones where bonuses come often and are easy to use.

Cash game sports betting is the most profitable because it requires no skill and can be done with little effort on a daily basis without knowing anything about each team or sport being played.

Cash games are simple; you place money into an account, pick a team to win, wait for the results and collect your money. The higher percentage of cash you put in versus what you take out equals more profit over time.

This may seem like a risky strategy but its actually one of the best ways to increase overall profits. This is because youre placing bets on teams that are less likely to win, which means there will be higher payouts if they do happen to pull off a victory.

For example: Lets say Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl. If youre betting on Atlanta, which is a favorite to win and has better odds than New England; there will be lower payouts if they actually happen to lose while bets placed with New Englands underdog status may have higher payouts in case of an upset victory.

Live sports betting is also a great way to make money because it is like playing the stock market without having to worry about getting in over your head. The downside of live betting is that you dont know the outcome until after each game, so theres no chance for profit if one team fails miserably and blows out their opponent.

Online gambling is meant for entertainment purposes only, so theres no need to take losing hard or get too wrapped up in the game while betting on sports online.

It doesnt matter if your favorite team loses a football game; just get back up, try a different strategy and keep betting on sports as much as possible. Thats the best way to make money from online sports betting.

It doesnt matter if youre just starting out or have been in it for years, there are always ways to increase your profits and manage risk effectively when gambling on football games, golf tournaments and other sporting events of interest. The key is to be smart, use the right tools and keep things fun so your bankroll will increase overtime.

To conclude the article, we would also like to mention that while some people gamble for fun and enjoyment, others end up spending more than they can afford, or use gambling to distract themselves from everyday problems. This is not healthy and we want to make sure that you know that theres lots of support available, both online and in case you decide to visit one of the specialized centres. You can check out Begambleaware.org for more details. Happy betting!

See the original post:

Ways to make money online through sports betting - The Sports Bank

Had to laugh when it was pointed out that San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is 15-4 against the spread when his team is the underdog.

More like his defense is 15-4 ATS, was a common response.

This season, the 49ers are 4-1 against the spread as underdogs, with more impressively four wins outright. Theyve beaten Dallas, Green Bay, and the Rams twice.

The Rams, who will host Sundays NFC championship, blew a 17-point lead to San Fran on Jan. 9 and nearly had one of the all-time playoff gags on Sunday before beating Tampa Bay at the buzzer. They were just 7-9 against the number as a favorite, but covered four of their last five at home. The exception being the game against the 49ers.

Three other things to know about the 49ers-Rams (Sunday, 6:30 p.m., Fox29):

The 49ers have won the last six meetings. The last two played in Los Angeles were on walk-off field goals by Robbie Gould, who drilled the winning kick at the buzzer Saturday night to beat Green Bay.

The Rams have been favored in the last four meetings by an average of about 3.5 points, which is where this Sundays line generally opened. The over/under is 46.5.

Garoppolo is 4-1 in his career as a playoff starter. He has two touchdown passes and five interceptions in those five games, and is on the verge of taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. Thats hard to do.

The Chiefs opened at -6.5 in some places, -7.5 in others. That could be a crucial difference for both bettor and bookie. The line had settled into Chiefs -7 by Monday.

READ MORE: Joe Banner: Eagles should move on from Jalen Reagor this offseason

The big move was in the over/under, which opened at 50.5, but quickly jumped to 54 shortly after Sunday nights track meet when the Chiefs eliminated the Bills, 42-36, in overtime.

Three other things to know about Sundays game (3 p.m., CBS3):

Kansas City is 11-1 after starting the season 3-4. At one point, the Chiefs were +1600 to win the Super Bowl. They are the clear favorites today.

K.C.s only loss in that span was at Cincinnati on Jan. 2. The Bengals were 3.5-point dogs and won it with a 20-yard field goal by Evan McPherson in the final seconds. The Chiefs led, 28-17, at the half, and the over (51) hit early in the third quarter.

The Bengals have covered their last five as road underdogs with outright wins at Pittsburgh (+3), at Baltimore (+6), at Denver (+3), and at Tennessee (+4). They lost at Cleveland in the final week of the season while resting most of their regulars, but still covered the +5.5-point spread.

BetMGM/via SportsOddsHistory.com

Feb. 8, 2021, vs. Jan. 24, 2022

Cincinnati: Was 80-1, is 8-1

Kansas City: Was 6-1, is approximately 1-1

L.A. Rams: Was 12-1, is 2-1

San Francisco: Was 16-1, is 9-2

READ MORE: Thats on us to continue to build: Eagles GM Howie Roseman assesses Jalen Reagor, wide receiver corps

NFL: The Chiefs are +120 to win the Super Bowl, but Patrick Mahomes to win Super Bowl MVP is +180.

NFL: A money-line parlay on the four winning teams this weekend would have paid out somewhere around 30-1. Had the Bills (up three with 13 seconds left and kicking off) beaten the Chiefs, that payout would have been about 37-1.

College basketball: A FanDuel customer turned a $10 four-team parlay (in-game) into $64,170 with four college basketball underdogs on Saturday. Three needed to win in overtime on the road, including Army erasing a 27-point deficit in the first half to shock Navy.

NHL: Just how rough has it been for the Canadiens? On Jan. 1, they played at Florida and the Panthers were -650. It was the highest line for a hockey game many in the industry had ever seen. Over the weekend, Montreal played at Colorado and the line was even higher; the Avs were -700. Montreal forced overtime, but Colorado won it. It was the Avalanches 11th win in 12 games. Montreal had eight wins all season entering Monday.

NHL: File this away for later in the week: Overs are 18-6-1 in Florida Panthers home games. Their next is Thursday against Vegas, which has an 11-5-0 mark for the overs in road games. Florida entered the week second in the league in goals per game (4.00). Vegas is sixth (3.46).

There were two NFL games on Saturday, 11 in the NHL, three in the NBA, 130-plus in mens college basketball, plus the Aussie Open, and a full UFC card.

Days like today are the ones you just want to get through no matter how as a bookmaker, tweeted Rex Beyers, risk manager of SuperBook in Las Vegas. The informed players have a significant edge based solely on sheer volume of games where we have to put up a number and wont have all the pertinent info.

Read the original:

Sports betting: The 49ers have had the Rams number lately - The Philadelphia Inquirer

In its first weekend, the four online sports operators in New York took in $150 million in wagers, and 650,000 unique player accounts were set up which grew to 1.2 million accounts by the end of the first week, according to GeoComply, a software provider that ensures location for sports bettors. Thats more than New Jersey and neighboring Pennsylvania combined for the same period.

And with twice the population of New Jersey, New York, with its 20 million residents, is likely to eventually eclipse the title New Jersey has held since 2019 as the sports betting capital of the nation after its revenue surpassed Nevada and its sprawling Las Vegas sports books.

"With a product as we have, I would expect we leapfrog over New Jersey, said state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens), who sponsored the sports betting measure in New York. But it is about sustainability and the long term."

Its taken four years for sports betting to go from a dark market vice, relegated for most Americans to bar bookmakers and risky offshore gaming sites, to an accepted pastime in the vast majority of the country.

And New Jersey was the most aggressive to get into the market after winning and losing a number of lawsuits along the way, helping it to cement its national lead as other states sought to catch up.

Sports betting has been legalized in more than 30 states, with 18 having some form of online wagering. It has quickly become a cash cow for states and local governments followingthe 2018 Supreme Court ruling overturning a federal ban that essentially gave Nevada a legal monopoly on the industry.

In New Jersey, the amount bet on sports exceeded $1.3 billion last October alone, a national record, and all but $100 million of it came from online wagering, even with the state's nine casinos in Atlantic City and three racetracks offering in-person betting.

In New York, four upstate casinos have offered in-person betting since 2019, but the revenue has been paltry compared to the early weeks of online betting.

And the industry is in its infancy.

California is eyeing a referendum in November to likely decide whether it will enter the burgeoning sector, and Ohio is expected to have online sports betting in 2023.

In two of the other largest states, Florida and Texas, sports betting remains uncertain. A federal judge last month rejected Florida's bid to legalize it through the Seminole Tribe of Florida, leaving the state also with the possibility of a referendum in November. In Texas, lawmakers might reconsider it in 2023 when state lawmakers return to Austin.

Goldman Sachs last March estimated that online sports betting and internet gambling revenues in the U.S. may grow from $900 million a year to $39 billion by 2033.

New York's entry into the mobile industry may serve as a key guide of the room for growth.

GeoComply found that just 9 percent of New York players had placed bets previously in New Jersey and that nearly 88 percent of New York customers were brand new to the sites.

In other words, there appeared to be enough interest in New York to limit the impact in New Jersey.

The momentum of New Yorks sports betting launch has continued, and it is mostly homegrown, said Lindsay Slader, the company's managing director of gaming, in a statement.

Indeed, New Jersey averaged 12.6 million transactions the two weekends before New York's launch and 13.1 million the two weekends since, the company said.

"New Yorks launch of mobile/online sports betting is likely to only impact patrons living close enough to the New Jersey border to make travel from New York to New Jersey for the purpose of wagering convenient," said Jane Bokunewicz, the faculty director at the Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University in Galloway, N.J., in an email.

How sustainable the rush in New York will be is uncertain. The state expects tax revenue to grow from $375 million in coming fiscal year to $518 million by 2027. And, like with regular casino gambling, the ultimate size of the market for sports betting could be limited.

Still, New Jersey said it is well-positioned to stay competitive with New York for one key reason, in particular: taxes.

New York's tax rate on mobile sports betting providers is 51 percent, among the highest in the nation, compared to 14.25 percent in New Jersey.

And New Jersey's sports wagering revenue, which is what is left after payouts to winners, has showed no signs of slowing: It doubled between 2020 and 2021 to a nation-leading $816 million, state records show.

The lower tax rate should give New Jersey operators an opportunity to offer new incentives to lure back New York customers, said James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

"Theres no doubt about it, it will have some impact, but I think were well positioned," he said. "The tax environment in New jersey is much better than in New York."

For Atlantic City, which struggled for years after casinos began opening in other East Coast states, mobile sports betting and other internet gambling games New Jersey has allowed give the resort town another way to build revenue without having to draw gamblers to its hotels.

In 2021, internet gambling and sports betting represented 46 percent of the total gaming revenue in New Jersey, putting it nearly on par with all the revenue the casinos brought in from traditional gaming, records show.

Perhaps the biggest impact so far has been in the physical sportsbooks in New Jersey. Attendance has been down at the Meadowlands Racetrack sportsbook, a mere 10 miles from midtown Manhattan and by far the largest one in the state.

Owner Jeff Gural, who also owns a sportbooks and horse track in the Southern Tier region of New York, said he expected more of a hit on the mobile side of the business rather than the in-person toll side at the Meadowlands.

But he also wondered how long New York's rise will last. Many customers were probably lured in by big promotions, such as $300 in free bets offered by Caesars.

"I think we have to see what happens six months from now when all the free money disappears," Gural said.

Visit link:

New Jersey leads the nation in online sports betting. Here comes New York. - POLITICO - POLITICO

IGTs President of Sports Betting, Joe Asher, has advised those that are looking to start or forge a career in the betting industry to pick up a little bit from everybody as there is a lot of opportunity in the market.

Speaking at the 2021 SBC Summit North America conference and expo at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey, Asher stated that while the betting industry isnt for everyone, it can be a great way to spend a career.

Asher commented: Starting out, I think its about working hard, trying to do the right thing, paying attention to detail, and making sure you take the opportunity to learn from people, both the people you are working with or the people in your company, but also people who work in other companies that you come in touch with.

Thats what Ive done and you pick up a little bit from everybody. Not everything is the way that you want to do it perhaps, but you learn an awful lot along the way and ultimately you decide what you want to do.

I think theres a lot of opportunity in this industry going forward so I was probably born a generation too soon.

Asher also reflected on the SBC Summit North America event, the panel session which he participated in, and his Hall of Fame induction, which he called very humbling while also adding that it is a great honor to receive such recognition alongside other greats in the sports betting industry.

To watch the full interview, click HERE.

See the original post:

IGTs Joe Asher: How to forge a career in the sports betting industry - SBC Americas

General view inside a deserted Ladbrokes shop in Harpenden as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Harpenden, Britain, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo

Register

Jan 19 (Reuters) - BetMGM raised its 2022 revenue forecast to more than $1.3 billion from $1 billion on Wednesday and said it expects a core profit in 2023 as the U.S. sports-betting joint venture between MGM Resorts and Britain's Entain expands.

The online sportsbook for betting on NFL American football and NBA basketball was in the spotlight last year when both MGM and DraftKings (DKNG.O) tried and failed to take over Entain (ENT.L).

Gambling companies have been looking to capitalise on the growing U.S. sports-betting market, while online gaming has also taken off since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Register

BetMGM said it was gaining market share in line with its long-term target of 20%-25% in U.S. sports-betting and iGaming.

The U.S. venture, which is the No. 2 operator for sports betting and iGaming, has grown steadily and challenged FanDuel owner Flutter , the No.1 player in the American market, with its owners expected to invest another $450 million in 2022.

Shares in Entain rose 1% and New York-listed MGM inched up 0.2% by 1443 GMT.

Peel Hunt analysts said on Tuesday BetMGM was key to their valuation of Entain, saying the venture could be sold at the right price or could be the key reason why MGM makes another approach for the British bookmaker.

Entain's boss said in November that BetMGM was one of the reasons why DraftKings' $22 billion offer to buy the British firm fell through as MGM would have sought to take full control of the joint venture. read more

BetMGM's net revenue is expected to be about $850 million in 2021, up nearly five times from 2020, while its core loss is seen in the range of $420 million to $440 million.

Register

Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Alexander Smith

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Read the rest here:

BetMGM raises 2022 revenue outlook as U.S. sports-betting takes off - Reuters

When Allison Saillard joined Penn Interactive as a senior project manager, she knew she was taking a gamble.

Headquartered in Center City West, Philadelphia, but with a hybrid remote culture of over 350 employees, the interactive gaming company has made its name in the sports betting and online gambling space something Saillard knew very little about.

The industry I was working in before was very female-dominated, Saillard said. At Penn Interactive, its not just the technology, but the industry of sports betting and casino that is dominated by men.

Working in compliance and project management, this growing group of women at Penn Interactive have helped launch its app in 11 states in a little over a year, including seven in the past three months alone.

Allison Saillard. (Courtesy photo)

Because each state has different laws pertaining to gambling, understanding and launching a gambling app across the country comes with its own particular set of challenges. The app is slightly different from one state to another, and without the proper communication between internal and external stakeholders, its a challenge to tailor-make and launch the app across the country. Thats why compliance and project management hires are essential.

Technical Compliance Manager Mary Obusek helps bridge that internal and external communications gap. She communicates externally with state regulatory bodies, taking their feedback and translating it to the internal engineering team.

Oftentimes, Im that conduit or middle person to talk about technical issues to our own internal Penn interactive compliance team and state regulatory bodies who may not understand the technology coming from the engineering side, said Obusek.

Before Technical Project Manager Dara Good joined Penn Interactive, the product, engineering, and compliance teams were disjointed in many ways, attempting to communicate across siloed departments.

Mary Obusek. (Courtesy photo)

I think my role came about here because the company and the engineering team at PI was growing so fast, Good explained. This role came about to facilitate, streamline, and road map work across teams. So I think that this role is pretty pivotal to filling the gaps that no one anticipates happening.

Not only has Penn Interactive launched in many states in the past year, but its also grown its team, creating an opportunity for more voices in the room to help streamline processes and bring a unique perspective to app development.

Obusek may be an admitted sports fanatic, but Good and Saillards backgrounds are far from it. Its that diversity of thought that helps strengthen Penn Interactives growth and process as it expands.

I think we can bring a unique look, whether its from a design perspective, product perspective, or even an engineering perspective on how to fix things and what we do, Obusek said. Online sports betting may skew male, but more women are joining these apps every year (and early research suggests women may even be better at betting). Bringing in different voices in the development phase could also inform the engagement from the end-user.

Penn Interactive encourages a culture of asking questions and learning on the job.

Dara Good. (Courtesy photo)

Culture here at Penn is very open and communicative, Good said. People from all different levels throughout the company are constantly asking questions and encouraging collaboration to the point where no one should feel intimidated to ask questions.

Whats more, Penn Interactives growing team of women in compliance and technical project management are expanding what it means to be a woman in a technical role. Women in tech doesnt just mean a woman programmer. Tech-adjacent roles are equally essential in the process.

Im not a super technical person, but I love technology and I love being around it facilitating it, Saillard said. I want other women to understand that there is a role for them in whatever aspect it is in technology, there is space for us.

Theres the oft-cited statistic that women only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the qualifications, whereas men apply when they meet just 60%. Just because someone isnt cranking out lines of code doesnt mean there isnt a space for them in a technology role. In fact, Saillard said, her experience has been more about her willingness to learn on the job and ask questions than the skill sets she brought in.

As long as you are willing to learn and willing to understand ways to improve the experience, then you are a great person to have on the team, Good said. Thats something thats been super attractive to me, not only as a female but also as someone who didnt have experience in this industry.

Continued here:

Penn Interactive expands its sports betting app, and changes company culture along the way - Technical.ly

Its information overload everywhere, and theres not time enough to sleep and eat and stay fully apprised of whats happening on this crazy blue dot of ours (two out of three aint bad). Heres the weekend Sports Handle item, Get a Grip, recapping the weeks top U.S. sports betting stories, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.

New York has dominated the sports betting headlines for almost all of 2022, but we wont stop looking ahead. Legal sports betting in the United States will continue to proliferate, but where does your state stand?

Drama surrounding Florida gaming expansion continues to escalate

Missouri pro teams, casinos make deal to back sports betting

Maryland mobile sports betting launch timeline still murky

Wagering bill remains on Maines Appropriations Table, but its unclear what happens now

Iowa has taken in $13 million in wagering revenue and has to figure out how to appropriate it

First peer-to-peer wagering platform launches in Tennessee

Indiana could bring in $100 million in tax revenue per year in a mature iGaming market

Nevada regulators approve digital identity verification for casino accounts

A recently introduced bill seeks to freeze the states 51% tax rate on sports betting

Addabbo joins chorus of those criticizing Caesars for its lack of response

Sportsbooks continue to spend millions on radio advertising

and Colorado plans to offer wagering on all the events

For NCAA basketball, women have received more money in NIL deals than men

DraftKings is offering pre-nomination Academy Awards markets

Parx mini-casino expected to open in late 2022

Indiana Grand is now Horseshoe Indianapolis

Tennessee becomes eighth state to reach $3 billion mark with $342 million wagered in December

Michigan sportsbooks set another monthly handle record in December

Sportsbooks didnt do as well in December, but that didnt hold Pennsylvania back from record

Video gaming terminals generated nearly $720 million in tax receipts for Illinois in 2021

Michigan online casinos shattered a previous monthly record by nearly 11%

COVID and competition from newcomers impact PA casino revenue

Private operators wishing to do business in Ontario will require geofencing solutions

BetMGM confirms plans to participate in Ontarios open market

Ontarios government could lose $550 million per year by shifting to an open market

Ontario plans to ease some COVID restrictions as early as Jan. 31

Borgata again king among AC casinos in 2021

Almost $100 million in development is on the books for Ocean Casino

Colorado fixed-odds horse racing talks will continue in February

A few sports betting bills have been introduced in Virginia since the start of 2022, including one that would prevent operators from excluding bonuses and promotions from gross gaming revenue after their first year of business in the state. That piece of proposed legislation is HB1103, and it figures to draw some pushback. The bill, which was introduced by Mark Sickles, also wouldnt allow operators to carry over losses on a monthly basis.

Another bill, SB576, would allow Virginia sports bettors to wager on colleges based in the state. Currently, bets on schools like the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are prohibited within state lines.

Finally,SB96 aims to prohibit sports betting and casino operators from using Virginia or the Commonwealth in advertising materials. If the proposed legislation becomes law, operators could incur fines of $50,000 for failing to comply.

Bennett Conlin

On Wednesday, DraftKings announced that it had gained market access in Washington state as the sports betting partner of the Tulalip Tribes, which operate two casinos in close proximity to each other about 35 miles north of Seattle.

In a press release, DraftKings said its plans for the sportsbook at Tulalip Resort Casino include a 50-foot video wall and more than two dozen kiosks and eight ticket windows. Meanwhile, DraftKings is still early in the planning phase for its sportsbook at Quil Ceda Creek Casino, the other Tulalip property. Once the first of these sportsbooks opens, Washington will become the 19th state in which DraftKings is operational.

Among the other big-name players to gain entry in the state, BetMGM opened its sportsbook at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma in late December, while Caesars (Muckleshoot Casino) and FanDuel (Suquamish Clearwater Casino) have yet to open although a FanDuel spokesperson told Sports Handle that theyre looking at February and working with regulators to settle on a precise date. While these operators are well-known for their mobile products, only onsite mobile is permitted in Washington, where the entire sports betting industry is controlled by the tribes.

Mike Seely

Southland Casino Racing became the first Arkansas sportsbook to report a loss in a month unaffected by the pandemic since its July 2019 launch after the Arkansas Racing Commission reported that the venue paid out nearly $160,000 more than the $3.6 million in wagers accepted for December.

Southland is the largest of the three retail sportsbooks in Arkansas, having accounted for 46.1% of the $67.7 million in wagers placed in the Razorback State in 2021. Oaklawn posted losses twice in 2020 during the pandemic, losing $115 in May on $509 in handle and $19,633 on $179,315 in July. Southland had posted double-digit win rates in 12 of the previous 14 months before Decembers -4.4% hold, and the rough close to 2021 dropped the venues win rate for the year to 11.9%, approximately two-thirds of a percentage point lower than the 12.6% overall hold in the state.

Chris Altruda

At the beginning of 2022, Rep. Cedric Burnett introduced HB184, a bill aimed at allowing mobile sports wagering in Mississippi. The state currently allows retail sports betting, while mobile betting isnt yet allowed, but the state may opt to legalize mobile betting in part to keep pace with Louisiana.

Earlier this week, Sen. Philip Moran introduced SB2462, which also would legalize mobile sports betting. Both HB184 and SB2462 would allow digital sports betting and racebooks within the state.

Bennett Conlin

LETS MAKE A DEAL: Better Collective enters partnership with New York Post [SBC]

HOW MUCH NOW?: BetMGM to receive $450 million investment [Front Office Sports]

GOLDEN STATE: The political battles over sports betting in California [New York Times]

BETTING AGAINST YOURSELF?: Leading Parx jockey suspended [Paulick Report]

PITCHMAN: Rush Street names Bobby Valentine brand ambassador [CDC]

NEW VENTURE: DraftKings alumni launch early-stage fund [Forbes]

BIG SCREEN: Three Rivers Casino installs largest sports betting screen in Oregon [Indian Gaming]

Read more:

Get A Grip The Week In Sports Betting: A Journey Across The United States - Sports Handle