Welcome iGB’s State of the Union. Here you’ll find a summary of the most important sports betting news in North America that we covered this week, as well as briefs about other stories we thought were interesting.
Queens casino controversial among politicians
A city councilman endorsed Steve Cohen’s plans to build a new casino adjacent to Citi Field, the home of the Mets. However, a senator from New York said that Cohen had not been transparent and open.
Jessica Ramos of the State Senate, who seems to be in favor of a Genting Resorts World development, has criticized Cohen’s strategy. Albany will have to approve any casino in the downstate. Cohen has partnered up with Hard Rock for his planned venture.
Queens councilman Francisco Moya said to the NYP, “If we do not seize this opportunity once in a lifetime, then we will ensure that parking lots around Citi Field remain underutilised for the near future. We also permanently hinder the growth potential of Queens.” We must not let that happen.
The New York State Gaming Commission announced in March that it will not decide on the recipients of the three licenses available until 2025.
Louisiana bans college football player wagers
Last week, the NCAA made a plea to ban college prop bets nationwide. On 1 April, Louisiana’s regulator announced that they would prohibit this betting market as of 1 August.
The Alabama Gambling Bill is rewritten at a conference
The Associated Press reports that Alabama’s House refused to agree to a version reduced of the gaming bill it had sent to the senate in April. Now, the matter will be referred to a conference panel.
The state’s house of representatives had previously approved a bill that included 10 brick-and mortar casinos, a lottery, retail sports betting and digital wagering. The Senate removed all forms of sports betting and added electronic gambling machines to dogtracks. It also reduced the number retail casinos.
Both proposals would constitute a constitutional change that voters would vote on. The lawmakers have over a month in which to confer and then send back a proposal to both the house floor and senate. The legislative session is scheduled to end on 20th May.
Offers
Circa Sports began accepting bets on 1 April in Kentucky. This was the first time since September last year that Circa Sports had been live. Kentucky residents can now choose between eight different betting platforms. Circa Sports has also launched in Colorado, Iowa and Nevada.
DraftKings has opened its first brick-and mortar casino in Mississippi at The Golden Nugget. According to the company, this book has the largest continuous screen along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Prime Sportsbook launched in New Jersey softly on March 31, its second market, after Ohio.
Nevadans Want a Lottery
Noble Predictive Insights conducted a poll on 829 voters registered between 27 February and 5 March. The results showed that 75% support the introduction of a Nevada state lottery. Nevada is currently one of only five US States without a state lottery.
According to a poll, support for a lottery was bipartisan. 82% of Democrats were in favor versus 71% Independents/Others. Nevada voters in November will decide whether or not they want to permit a lottery.
Nebraska will not be able to offer digital sports betting
According to The Lincoln Star-Journal, despite a poll showing 57% would support a constitutional change that allows legal online sports betting, supporters will not run for office. The Lincoln Star-Journal reports that although the poll number exceeds the required 50% to pass an amendement, the result is still not enough for supporters to be convinced to proceed.
Lance Morgan, of WarHorse Gaming, told The Star-Journal that if you are at 57% support you may lose the game unless you put in a lot of resources. It doesn’t really make sense to fight unless there is a large war fund.
WarHorse ran the poll in partnership with BetMGM Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
LSU and Iowa women’s record breaking game
All major bookmakers reported, even though they did not release hard figures, that LSU-Iowa’s women’s Basketball Elite Game took the record for the highest number of bets ever placed on women’s sports events. ESPN reported that the Sweet 16 had a 96% increase in viewers.
Caitlinn Clark led Iowa to victory over LSU, advancing them to the Final Four in Cleveland, starting on 5th April. According to USA Today, BetMGM ranked the Connecticut-USC match as one of their top three women’s sporting events.
ICYMI for iGB
A tribal leader wants to introduce the art of compromise on a national scale
Ontario’s top priority for the past two years has been responsible gaming
Bally’s shareholders blast “woreful” takeover offer
DOI asks SCOTUS for another extension in Florida sports gambling case
Arizona hosts Fanatics live
