This week’s State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, covers new twists in Florida, progress in New York and several partnerships between operators and teams.
Court ruling puts a halt to Seminole sports betting in Florida
A judge in the District of Colombia ruled that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is violated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s compact with the state.
This essentially ceases the offering of sports betting in Florida, which launched on 1 November.
The Compact was challenged by West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation.
Addabbo calls for January launch as NY mobile betting rules finalized…
Senator Joseph Addabbo believes New York could take its first mobile bets by January.
This came after the New York State Gaming Commission approved a final list of rules for mobile betting in the state.
… as he files bill to expand mobile betting to NY racetracks and stadiums
Addabbo has introduced a new bill that aims to allow the state’s racetracks and stadiums to take part in the up-coming mobile betting market in the state.
If Senate Bill 7536 comes into force, mobile sports wagering operators would be allowed to establish agreements with entities such as professional sports stadiums or arenas, franchised corporations or licensed racetracks.
DraftKings named Boston Bruins’ sports betting partner
DraftKings has been named as an official sports betting partner of ice hockey team the Boston Bruins.
This will be enacted if sports betting becomes legal in Massachusetts.
The operator was also named as the team’s official daily fantasy sports partner.
Michigan latest state to smash online betting handle record in October
Bettors in Michigan wagered $463.3m in sports in October, setting a new record. This was up 30.8% from September.
A new record was also set in online casino, where combined tribal and commercial receipts grew by 7.1% to $98.9m.
Churchill Downs wins tender for Indiana casino development
The Indiana Gaming Commission selected Churchill Downs Incorporated’s (CDI’S) proposal for a new land-based casino in a tender process.
CDI put forward a $240m bid to establish a Queen of Terre Haute Casino Resort in Vigo County.
The casino will hold 1,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a Twinspires-powered sportsbook.
Maryland edges closes to sports betting launch as five licenses issued
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission issued five sports betting licenses to land-based casinos as part of its Sports Wagering Application Review Commission.
The licences were issued to Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore; Churchill Downs’ Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin; Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover; MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill and Penn National’s Hollywood Casino in Perryville.
Entain partners NBA legend Oakley on charity project
The Entain Foundation US has entered into a partnership with former National Basketball Association player Charles Oakley, which will see the Foundation support several charity initiatives.
The partnership will see Entain sponsor Oakley’s “Oak Out Hunger” program to include information on problem gambling.
The program, which is delivered by the Charles Oakley Foundation, will begin its roll-out in early 2022.
PNG launches scholarship program to increase diversity in STEM
Penn National Gaming launched a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarship in association with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Penn National will donate over $4m across five years, which will go towards funding STEM scholarships and internships.
Betway scores new partnership with NHL’s New Jersey Devils
Betway has entered into a multi-year agreement with National Hockey League team the New Jersey Devils.
As part of the deal, Betway branding will appear in the New Jersey Devils’ Prudential Center arena.
This marks Betway’s twelfth US sports team partnership.
Penn National to open Hollywood Casino Morgantown on December 22
Conditional to final regulatory approvals, Penn National will open its Hollywood Casino Morgantown in Pennsylvania on December 22.
This will be Penn’s fourth land-based casino in Pennsylvania.
It will feature 750 slot machines, 30 table games and a Barstool-branded sportsbook.
PointsBet partners Colonial Downs for Virginia sports betting license
Pointsbet has entered into a partnership with racetrack Colonial Downs Group in a move to secure a temporary supplier license in Virginia.
This will allow PointsBet to offer online sports wagers to bettors in the state.
FansUnite strikes deal to acquire Chris Grove’s American Affiliate
FansUnite has agreed to acquire the brands and businesses belonging to American Affiliate, a company established by entrepreneur Chris Grove.
FansUnite will acquire the company for $58.2m, in a move that FansUnite hopes will boost its presence in the US online betting market.
DraftKings’ NH sportsbook enjoys record-breaking October
DraftKings’ New Hampshire sportsbook broke records in October, bringing in handle of $98.2m and gross gaming revenue of $5.4m. These were year-on-year increases of 108.5% and 134.8% respectively.
DraftKings’ mobile sportsbook wagers also hit an all-time high, increasing 69.4% from October 2020.