This week’s State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, includes slow progress towards legal sports betting in Missouri, Maine and South Carolina.
Missouri sports betting bill advances to new committee
A bill that aims to legalize sports betting in Missouri has been passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and advanced to the Committee on Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight.
House bill 2502 was first introduced on January 19 and would allow both online and retail sports betting.
FanDuel becomes New York Yankees’ first sports betting partner
The New York Yankees have announced FanDuel as the baseball franchise’s first official sports betting partner.
Under the agreement, FanDuel may use the Yankees’ logo and other assets for marketing, while FanDuel will also allow its VIP customers access to premium hospitality tickets at Yankee Stadium.
Bally’s Interactive pens partnership with the Cleveland Browns
Bally’s Interactive, a division of Bally’s Corporation, has entered into a long-term partnership with American football team the Cleveland Browns.
The partnership, which will see Bally’s named as an official sports betting partner of the team, comes before the official launch of sports betting in Ohio.
South Carolina sports betting bill introduced
A bill that would permit sports wagering in South Carolina has been introduced and referred to the state Committee on Judiciary.
House Bill 5277 was first introduced in the state House on 21 April. It is sponsored by representatives William Herbkersman and Tom Rutherford.
Maine sports wagering bill placed on Special Appropriations Table
A bill that would permit Maine’s tribes, off-track betting facilities and some commercial racetracks to conduct sports wagering has been placed on the state’s Special Appropriations Table, a final step before going to the governor.
House Bill 585 was first introduced on February 22 2021 as a tribal governance bill and has progressed through Maine’s House and Senate, having been amended twice to include sports wagering.
ComeOn approved for Ontario licence
ComeOn has secured approval for an Ontario sports betting licence, becoming the 31st operator to do so.
The operator’s registration by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) as a sports betting operator was effective yesterday (21 April).
Churchill Downs revenue hits record $364.1m in Q1
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has opened 2021 with a record-breaking performance over the three months to 31 March.
Group revenue for the first quarter of 2022 increased 12.3% year-on-year to $364.1m (£290.4m/€345.9m), a new record for the business.
BlueBet secures market access in Louisiana
Australian mobile betting operator BlueBet Holdings has secured market access in Louisiana via a new deal with Rubico Acquisition Corporation, owner of the Louisiana Downs casino and racecourse.
The arrangement, which will run for a period of 10 years, will enable BlueBet to offer an online sportsbook in the state, pending final regulatory approval and licencing from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Colorado sports betting handle jumps 68% year-on-year in March
Consumers in Colorado wagered $505.6m (£403.1m/€478.9m) on sports in March, a 68.0% increase on the same month last year.
The total amount spent during the month was comfortably ahead of the $301.0m that was bet in March 2021 and also 14.8% higher than the $440.5m wagered by players in February of this year.
Rivalry revenue grows 640% in 2021
Esports-focused betting operator Rivalry’s revenue grew by 640.0% to $11.1m for 2021, in what chief executive Steven Salz hailed as “a tremendous year by nearly all measures”.
The rapid growth in revenue came as betting handle grew to $78.2m, up 202.0% year-on-year.
Gaming1 and Delaware North launch Betly.com JV in Arkansas
Gaming operator Gaming1 has announced the launch of Betly.com, a joint venture with Delaware North, in Arkansas.
The launch is an extension of a previous collaboration between Gaming1 and global hospitality company Delaware North that led to the creation of supplier Gamewise, which started operating in the US in 2021.