Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill on Wednesday that authorizes sports betting at Native American tribal casinos in the state. Tribal casinos in Washington have closed, as have gambling venues throughout the United States, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tribes Must Negotiate Compacts with Washington State The COVID-19 outbreak […]
Law and Politics
PokerStars Founder Isai Scheinberg Pleads Guilty to Running Illegal Gambling Business
Isai Scheinberg, founder of online poker operator PokerStars, pled guilty to one count of operating an illegal gambling business on Wednesday, according to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York. Scheinberg faces up to five years in prison, though he is still […]
Clippers’ Steve Ballmer Avoids Lawsuits with $400M Forum Purchase
LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer will fork over $400 million in cash for the Forum in Inglewood, California. The purchase, announced Tuesday, paves the way for the Clippers’ new arena at a nearby location, but most of all, it ends Madison Square Garden’s (MSG) contentious legal battle with the City […]
City Official Threatens Legal Action Against Gulfstream Park for Racing
Despite threats from a Hallandale Beach city official to take “legal action†if racing isn’t stopped, Gulfstream Park has no plans to close its doors this week and intends to run Saturday’s Florida Derby without any spectators in the grandstands. Hallandale Beach Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana said Broward County’s ban […]
Coronavirus Complicates $17.3 Billion Eldorado, Caesars Merger
To protect its merger with Eldorado Resorts, Caesars Entertainment was among the last casino companies to close during the coronavirus outbreak. But even if the deal goes through, there could be tough times ahead for Caesars — and the banks financing the deal. Last June, Eldorado Resorts agreed to acquire […]
MGM and Wynn Temporarily Close All Las Vegas Properties
MGM Resorts and Wynn are closing their Las Vegas properties due to coronavirus concerns, effective Tuesday, March 17. Sunday night’s announcement followed days of incremental changes to the casino companies’ services. Both MGM and Wynn had reduced operations at their Las Vegas properties prior to Sunday’s announcements. MGM closed down […]
Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania Casinos Close as Coronavirus Spreads
Casinos across Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania are closing in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The casino closures are mostly in response to new state health policies. After the 2007-08 financial crisis, states embraced the casino industry with open arms. For many, the industry was a […]
Legislative Roundup: Virginia, Maryland Pushing Toward Legalized Sports Betting
Two neighboring states appear to be moving toward legalized sports betting, as both Virginia and Maryland lawmakers advanced gaming bills this week. Virginia’s package of two bills already passed through the legislature after lawmakers gave final approval on Sunday. No Sports Betting on Virginia College Teams The package includes one […]
More F1 Pain: No Spectators at Bahrain and Homeless Italians
Formula 1’s 2020 season is hanging by a thread after Saturday’s decision to bar spectators at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and a quarantine in northern Italy. As a truly international sport, F1 is on the front lines of the coronavirus threat. It’s been one step forward and two steps back […]
Feds Charge ‘Parlay Patz’ with Making Violent Threats Against Athletes, Families
US Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez charged Benjamin Tucker Patz – better known as “Parlay Patz†– on Wednesday with transmitting violent threats directed at athletes, their friends, and their families. Patz stands accused of using anonymous social media accounts in 2019 to send threats to numerous players, as well as […]
Legislative Roundup: Connecticut Governor, Tribes Deadlocked on Competing Sports Betting Proposals
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and tribal leaders have endorsed two different bills that would allow for sports betting in the state, with neither side seemingly willing to compromise on the other’s proposal. Lamont announced Tuesday that he was in favor of a bill that would only legalize sports betting, and […]
Super Tuesday Odds: Where are Sanders, Biden the Strongest?
The remaining candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination are facing their biggest test so far as voters in 14 states (and American Samoa) head to the polls today to vote on Super Tuesday. More than 1,300 delegates will be awarded based on today’s results, which amounts to about a third […]
Legislative Roundup: Sports Betting Bills Advance in Kansas, Washington
The Kansas state Senate passed a bill to legalize sports betting on Wednesday, though lawmakers are still divided on issues of taxation and revenue. Senators voted 23-15 in favor of the measure after four hours of debate on sports betting. Meanwhile, a Washington state bill that would allow tribal casinos […]
2020 Election Odds: Bernie Sanders 2/3 Favorite After Nevada Victory
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders improved to 2/3 odds to secure the Democratic party nomination after he won the Nevada caucus over the weekend. Sanders took one huge step closer to finalizing a run against incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in the 2020 national election. With 98% of precincts reporting, Sanders […]
Sports Betting Legislative Roundup: ‘Unfriendly’ Amendments Stall Kentucky Bill
A slew of amendments and a lack of caucus support have slowed progress on a Kentucky sports betting bill, even after the legislation unanimously passed out of a House committee last month. Since that 18-0 vote on Jan. 15, the bill has been passed over every day for a potential […]
How NASCAR Got Scammed by DC Solar’s Ponzi Scheme
A 2018 FBI raid uncovered a solar-energy Ponzi scheme that would ultimately defraud investors for nearly $1 billion, and red flag an entire NASCAR Xfinity team. As race fans gear up for Sunday’s Daytona 500, it’s hard to believe that just one year ago, DC Solar’s collapse was wreaking havoc […]
Sports Betting Legislative Roundup: Bills Gaining Traction from Coast to Coast
A slew of sports betting bills are making their way through state legislatures across the country, as more states look to regulate sports wagering as a way to generate revenue. While not all of these bills seem poised for passage this year, the number of sports betting laws under consideration […]
Bernie Sanders 3/2 Odds to Secure Democratic Nomination After New Hampshire Victory
After a narrow victory at the first primary in New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders is 3/2 odds to secure the Democrat nomination for US President. Senator Sanders holds a slim edge over former New York City mayor and Republican-turned-Democrat, Michael Bloomberg. Deep-pocketed Bloomberg is currently 2/1 odds to win the Democrat […]
Sports Betting Fails in Maine, Almost Passed by Mistake
The Maine House of Representatives failed to override a veto of its sports betting bill today, but a possible error, made last week by Maine’s Senate, nearly legalized sports betting by mistake. Although a majority of Maine’s House voted to overturn the Governor’s sports betting bill veto by 87-57, it […]
Redskins Lobbying for Sports Betting License in Maryland, Virginia in Exchange for New Stadium
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has proposed plans to lawmakers in both Maryland and Virginia that would see the team build a new stadium in one of those states, provided it would also receive a sports betting license. Currently, neither Virginia nor Maryland offers regulated sports betting within their borders. […]