The State of the Union is iGB’s weekly look at the most important sports betting news in North America. We also provide briefs about other stories that we thought were interesting.
PA and MA fines
On 22 May the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that it had fined Wind Creek Bethlehem $125,000 (PS98,089/EUR115,156) for allowing minors onto the gaming floor 10 times. In a release, the regulator stated that 11 people were involved in these incidents over a period of 20 months.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined Fanatics Sportsbook $10,000 a day later on 23 May for allowing bets to be made on the Boston College team. On 5 December 2023, a consumer bet $50 on the Golden Eagles Bowl game against SMU. The bet was discovered a day after the game and the fanatics cancelled it. In most Massachusetts cases, betting on college teams within the state is prohibited.
SI will leave Michigan by the end of 2024
According to PlayMichigan, Michigan’s SI Sportsbook is expected to leave the state before the year ends. SI Sportsbook, which is now owned by Evoke and was Michigan’s worst-performing igaming provider for the first three months of 2024, performed the lowest. Its sportsbook also ranked in the lowest revenue tier during that same time period. SI Sportsbook will launch in September 2022, and it is partnered up with Island Resort & Casino.
Hard Rock Bet is likely to replace SI Sportsbook. Evoke (formerly 888 holdings) bought 888’s US assets in the first quarter of this year. Michigan Gaming Control Board will have to approve and vet a new operator.
SI Sportsbook will be one of the two operators to leave in 2024. WynnBet has decided to wind down and leave multiple states. Caesars Sportsbook purchased the WynnBet license earlier this year. In Michigan, digital platforms must partner with either one of Detroit’s three commercial casinos or a tribe casino. SI Sportsbook has partnered up with Hannahville Indian Community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
What about more credit?
Two bills that are currently being considered by the Rhode Island Legislature would enable Bally’s Casinos to offer a $100,000 credit. Dominick Ruggerio is the author of Rhode Island’s sports betting law and has backed this senate measure.
The Providence Journal stated that Bally increased credit to remain competitive. Massachusetts, a neighboring state, does not limit the amount of credit that can be given to a customer. Connecticut’s tribal casinos are free to set their own credit limit.
Nevada: Made a bet? Keep your ticket
The Nevada Gaming Control Board rejected the proposal on Thursday, 23 May. It would have allowed bettors to sell their wagering tickets and cash them out earlier. According to SBC Americas, PropSwap made the proposition. The company operates in Nevada but not other states. PropSwap’s business model was deemed illegal by the NGCB, partly because Nevada doesn’t license these businesses. This proposal also included creating a new licensing category.
Illinois Dave & Busters may get a ballot
The Illinois Bill that bans Dave & Buster’s from “facilitating” gaming has been folded into a bill on horse racing. On Thursday, 23 May, the gaming and rules committees approved the amended bill (HB 394), which is now on the floor of the House. This language prevents amusement centers from allowing customers to wager against one another. Dave & Buster’s has proposed such betting via its loyalty app, and several states have expressed concern. Illinois was the first to pass a law on the subject.
Illinois’s legislative session was scheduled to conclude today. However, since the budget bill that includes an increase in the wagering tax has not been passed yet, it will continue into the weekend.
Big money
Circa Sportsbook, on Thursday 23 May announced a payout of $16 million for its Circa Million 6 and Survivor NFL competitions. The Survivor Contest will feature a guaranteed $10m prize, while Million VI has a guarantee of $6m. Sign-ups will begin at Circa Sports Nevada locations today, 24 May. They’ll be available until Saturday 7th September at 2pm.
There is no rake in the contests and there will be mini-contests all year. In the Survivor Contest, bettors must pick one straight-up winner each week during the entire season. A team can’t be used again. In order to be eligible for the Million VI, you must make five weekly picks. Both contests have $1,000 entry fees and allow players to submit multiple entries.
Read this article.
Do sports betting companies target Blacks? James Trumm, of the Toledo Blade, did a thorough investigation into this question. He found that there were conflicting views.
Other news…
Beth Bresnahan was announced as SciGames Chief Communications and Brand Officer on Monday, 21 May. She is the former executive director of DC Office of Lottery and Gaming and Massachusetts Lottery. She had previously been the vice president of strategic communication for SciGames.
On Thursday, 23 May, BetMGM revealed that it was now the official odds-provider for the Associated Press. The odds from BetMGM will appear in AP’s daily sports betting fixtures, as well as other stories about sports.
On Thursday, May 23, Maryland Lottery granted Betr its initial license approval. Betr is currently available in Ohio and Virginia. It has not been revealed when it will be launched. The Massachusetts market was exited by the company earlier this year.
ICYMI for iGB
Illinois to increase tax rates? Over the weekend, we’ll know.
West Flagler responds to the federal government before US Supreme Court
Massachusetts operators are snubbed by gaming commission
FanDuel’s 30 day DC performance is nearly 90% better than GambetDC’s in the same period of last year
DraftKings-Jackpocket integration underway
