It’s information overload everywhere, and there’s not time enough to sleep and eat and stay fully apprised of what’s happening on this crazy blue dot of ours (two out of three ain’t bad). Here’s the weekend Sports Handle item, “Get a Grip,” recapping the week’s top U.S. sports betting headlines, highlighting some fresh news, and rounding up key stories.
Top stories around our network this week 5iaj
When 25,000 folks with various roles in different sectors of the gaming industry gather, there’s no shortage of interesting conversations. Our guess is that some of the more scintillating chatter at this week’s Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas may have occurred outside of the earshot of Sports Handle’s four-person team monitoring G2E, sponsored by the American Gaming Association as the industry’s most significant annual conference.
Nonetheless, there was plenty to report on from what was said publicly, and that included attempts to answer the very basic question of just Regulators from various sports betting states, meanwhile, shared how they’ve had to keep their balance among the shifting sands of legislative tweaks that change the rules for operators mere months after states launch the new industry.
There were scores of noteworthy discussions, keynote addresses, interviews, exhibits, and presentations to keep up with, all of which the team kept readers informed about with a running blog on our sister site, US Bets, throughout the week. Among other stories providing a more detailed look were those focused on cybersecurity threats, payment processing issues, and how Churchill Downs Inc. in particular has been navigating broad changes in the gaming industry, including financial challenges that shut down some sports betting operations.
Information gleaned at the conference — whether publicly or privately — will assist in plenty more sports betting and other industry-related stories in the weeks ahead. Sports Handle is committed to thorough coverage each and every day, and we don’t need to be at a conference to collect it, as evidenced by the linked stories below from the past week. And for additional gaming industry news, be sure to check out US Bets, including its weekly Double Down column and Gamble On podcast.
ESPN BET’s around the corner 5v134j
When PENN launches ESPN BET, there are two key markets it won’t be in
ESPN BET is a lock to launch by this date
When ESPN BET arrives, which on-air personalities will promote wagering?
More legal stifling in Florida 1d4d4f
Supreme Court order prevents Seminoles from launching Hard Rock Bet
And the survey says … 6q5o2c
Younger bettors have more diverse wagering habits than older counterparts
Survey says over a third of online gamblers visit sites at least a few times each day
In the name of competition 14v2h
Sportradar, Genius Sports hit with patent infringement suits over streaming products
Change can be good, ya know j593t
NCAA’s attitude toward sports betting takes a dramatic shift
What’s it all add up to? 1b1d3i
U.S. gambling is a $328 billion business, according to the American Gaming Association
Betting on help for the underdogs 4x4l60
New Underdog Fantasy fund will responsible gambling innovation
Walking a fine line, and falling 3r2lf
Pick’em style daily fantasy sports games officially banned in Michigan
OK, states, report in 6d3m2o
Illinois sures $25 billion in post-PASPA sports wagering handle
An early “primer” — college football handle up in Colorado for August
Football hikes Maryland sportsbooks to $45.6 million in September gross revenue
DraftKings sets Indiana mobile handle record with $169.2 million
Kansas sets new high for sports wagering handle at $219.3 million
Maybe no new California initiative 3v5f70
Media reports surfaced Monday that the Pala Band of Mission Indians was planning to file a pair of initiative proposals for legal sports betting in California, but as of four days later, nothing had turned up on the California Secretary of State’s official website.
At the start of the week, major operators and tribes said they weren’t involved in any new initiative idea. According to sources, Pala may not file after all — and the tribe may have floated the idea of filing a proposal in order to jump-start conversation about what the next attempt at legalization might look like.
There were two gaming-related initiatives on last year’s ballot that failed to win approval. Half a billion dollars were spent by proponents and opponents of the initiatives, and it was clear that California’s tribes weren’t in agreement about what legal betting should look like.
— Jill R. Dorson
Pundits see potential for Fanatics 4r2u67
Digital Sport by Hot Paper Lantern conducted a recent Fanatics Sportsbook will have a bigger effect long term.
About 65% of poll respondents believe that Caesars Sportsbook has the “most to lose” once the two are live, and more than 70% say the biggest betting companies should be “concerned” about the new options entering the market.
The question on everyone’s mind, though, is whether ESPN BET and Fanatics Sportsbook will be able to wrestle significant market share from FanDuel. Approximately 70% of those polled expect ESPN BET and Fanatics Sportsbook to snag 11%-20% of market share combined within two years.
— Jill R. Dorson
Tweet of the week 1q1c69
"An 11-point difference, which is a very significant number to a few of our friends, since games don't end with a 10.5-point difference, and you know what I'm talking about."- Al Michaels 🏈💸🎙️😂 #TNF pic.twitter.com/5941HyXFon
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 13, 2023
More of the most important, interesting stories 3j46l
ILLINOIS FINDS GAMING TO BE TAX TREASURE: Gambling taxes generated record $1.99 billion for Illinois last year, but can it last? [Daily Herald]
FUTURE THREATS, FINANCIAL FRETS: Financial experts talk potential recession and its impacts [CDC Gaming Reports]
EXPANSION COMING TO MASSACUSETTS: Wynn gets approval to build concert hall, sportsbook next to Everett casino [Bisnow Boston]
GAMBLING MECCA’S WORKERS SEEK MORE: Las Vegas Strip resort workers picket to send a message as contract negotiations stall [The Nevada Independent]
📍@ParisVegas –
For the first time in two decades, Culinary Union has begun informational picketing on the Las Vegas Strip as tens of thousands of hospitality workers continue fighting for a new 5-year contract.
Picket line already in full force! #onejobshouldbeenough pic.twitter.com/XAigAlW5Sw
— Culinary Union (@Culinary226) October 12, 2023
KING JAMES IS ONE VERSATILE FELLOW: LeBron James is making noise with his NFL picks. Could a sportsbook deal be up next? [Action Network]
THINK OF THE KIDS …: More awareness needed on sports gambling influence on youth: advocates, researchers [The Canadian Press]
… ESPECIALLY THE TEENAGERS: Teens are developing “severe gambling problems” as online betting surges [Vice]
IT’S A DEAL: Prophet Exchange first to deploy GeoComply’s improved player funnel [CDC Gaming Reports]
