In the wake of the pandemic, more states are pushing through online sports betting bills. Connecticut, which had a number of bills fail in previous sessions, may finally have a winner. Even gambling-averse Texas recently filed an online sports betting bill. A number of states rushed to legalize sports betting […]
Law and Politics
Kentucky Supreme Court Rejects HHR Appeal, Lawmakers Up Next?
In the latest salvo fired in the ongoing debate about historical horse racing (HHR) machines in Kentucky, the state’s Supreme Court denied an appeal from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission requesting a second opinion on the legality of those machines. The Kentucky Supreme Court refused to reconsider its Sept. 24 […]
Critics Raise Concerns Over New York’s Approach to Online Sports Betting
New York appears ready to finally legalize online sports betting within its borders, but critics warn the state’s approach won’t be great for consumers. With the state facing an $8.7 billion deficit brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo softened his stance on online wagering. He plans to […]
Online Sports Betting in Virginia Will be Up in Time for Super Bowl Sunday, Lottery Officials Say
Virginians looking for their first taste of online sports gambling will get it before the biggest betting event of the year, according to officials. State lottery executives said this week that they’re on track to launch just before Super Bowl 55 on Feb. 7. Earlier this week, Virginia Lottery Executive […]
Online Sports Gambling in Michigan Set to Go Live This Week
The wait is over for Michiganders as Richard Kalm, executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), said he expects the state to flip the switch for online sports betting within the next few days, and as soon as Tuesday night. Kalm noted Tuesday that final preparations in anticipation […]
Gambling Stocks Jump After NY Gov. Cuomo Endorses Online Betting
Several gambling stocks saw notable increases in share price this week after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he’s OK with legalizing online sports betting in his state to help make up a budget shortfall. Cuomo has long been an opponent of allowing online sports betting, but New York is […]
Cuomo Hints at Fast-Tracking Legalization of Online Sports Gambling in New York
In an about-face brought on by a projected $15 billion revenue shortfall, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is making swift legalization of online sports gambling in the state a centerpiece of his administration. Cuomo, formerly an opponent of online sports gambling in New York, hinted that the key to regaining […]
As Other Northeast States Set Sports Gambling Records, Massachusetts is Left in the Cold
In the midst of budget shortfalls and pandemic-fueled rollbacks in services, Massachusetts lawmakers decided to eliminate sports gambling from an economic development bill sent to the governor’s desk on Wednesday. The question remains, will sports gambling legislation have a resurgence and become legal there at any point in 2021? The […]
Rhode Island Online Sports Betting Revenues Boosted by Relaxed Registration
The Rhode Island Lottery reported a strong end to the year with online sportsbooks and the state setting revenue records in November. In total, online sportsbooks won $6.3 million during 2020’s penultimate month, some 43% higher than the previous record of $4.4 million set in October. The take from sportsbooks […]
Puerto Rico Starts New Year by Easing Restrictions on Online Sports Betting
As one of her final acts in office, Puerto Rico’s outgoing Governor, Wanda Vázquez Garced, signed Senate Bill 1534, which amended the country’s existing gambling laws to clear the way for online sports betting. Though the new law’s language isn’t specific, it seeks to allow job creation in the gaming […]
Online Sportsbook Gives Dogged Trump Bettors A Break From Losing
With President Donald Trump and his bettors apparent losers at the ballot box and at the betting window, the 2020 US Presidential election was as big a dream for bookmakers as the 2016 election was a nightmare. Yet one overseas bookmaker bucked the trend and got off the gravy train. […]
Iowa Online Sports Betting Gets in the Game New Year’s Day as In-Person Registration Restriction Expires
Iowa was the first to legalize and spin up online sports gambling in the Midwest, but after almost a year and a half, the Hawkeye State is finally poised for exponential growth starting New Year’s Day. Online sports betting went live in Iowa in August 2019, well before neighboring states […]
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Bill Becomes Law
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 officially became law Sunday night when President Donald Trump signed the $2.3 trillion omnibus spending bill. That bill provided $900 billion for COVID-19 relief, along with keeping the US government operating. HISA was part of that bill. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and […]
New York Becomes Latest State Banning Lasix in Stakes Races
The New York Racing Association became the latest racing organization to ban the use of furosemide (Lasix) for stakes races when it announced the prohibition of Lasix use within 48 hours of all NYRA stakes races. The new rule takes effect Jan. 1. Instituted by the New York State Gaming […]
Congress Passes Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, a bill once thought dead, passed in the US Senate late Monday night, taking up a small part of a $1.4 trillion government funding bill that included $900 billion for COVID-19 relief. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill, which the House […]
Online Sports Gambling Gold Rush in Michigan: 15 Operators Ready To Launch By Mid-January
Michigan Gaming Control Board (MCGB) executive director Richard Kalm wasn’t messing around last week when he said, “I’ve been issuing licenses daily,†as his agency confirmed Thursday. It has given provisional licenses to 15 online gambling platforms. Fifteen is a record number of operators for a single state on opening […]
Sheldon Adelson is Pushing for Sands Casinos in Texas
When the Texas Legislature kicks off its January session, it will be greeted by a bevy of top-notch casino lobbyists. Sheldon Adelson is sending his best and brightest to the Lone Star State, with the goal to legalize gambling. Texas has been a gambling holdout. But the pandemic’s toll on […]
Indiana Sports Gambling Sets Another Record in November
Online sports wagers helped Indiana break the quarter-billion-dollar barrier in November as potentially shady casino execs are keeping the state’s gaming commission on its toes. The $251 million total handle is up almost 9% from October’s $231 million, capping off a record-setting fall of betting in the Hoosier State, according […]
Trio of Missouri Lawmakers Look to Fast-Track Legalization of Sports Gambling in Early 2021
After watching nearby states like Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Tennessee receive unexpected windfalls from online sports gambling this fall, three Missouri lawmakers believe they have set the Show-Me State up for opening the window in early 2021. Three almost identical bills sponsored by Republican state senators are set for review […]
New York Online Sports Betting Could Soon Become Reality
A New York assemblyman says the state’s next revenue bill will include an online sports betting component, which could see a vote before the end of the year. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow told PlayNY that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie solidified his commitment to include online sports betting in a revenue bill […]