Welcome to the “Weekly Legal Sports Betting Recap,” where on Fridays we’ll whip around the United States and review the most important developments in a ever-growing number of states to legalize sports betting, covering the legislative and industry side of things, with a focus on what matters for us, the sports bettors.
As expected, discussion at the state level of how and when to legalize sports betting has been fast and furious. Each state presents its own unique circumstances: Some exploring legalization such as Virginia don’t even have casinos, for example. So one idea is to just allow sportsbooks to operate line, forget about land-based shops, for now.
Let’s quickly review noteworthy developments this week in a bunch of states, in three sentences or less:
Connecticut: Folks in the statehouse want to move forward, but they’re conflicted as to how. The tribal casinos want exclusivity, the state lottery wants to be involved, while MGM wants to install a casino in general. Lot of competing stakeholders, so we’re not sure they get it done this year.
Indiana: Another bill has dropped and it’s pretty reasonable, would allow mobile wagering statewide.
Maine: Legislature poised to debate legalized sports betting.
Maryland: Like New York, there’s a state constitution roadblock, but they’re searching for ways around it.
Massachusetts: There’s nearly half a dozen bills in the state legislature now, as lawmakers rushed to file before Friday’s deadline. Governor Charlie Baker is backing one of them that would open the market to various online sportsbooks, such as FanDuel, DraftKings and 888 sport. On Slack this week, I set the odds on the Bay State legalizing this year as -375 for Yes, +300 for No. Max bet 3,000 internet points.
New Jersey: The 7-months old but most mature U.S. market outside Nevada saw its betting handle for 2018 break into three comma territory — a total of 1.25 billion.
New York: The situation is pretty messy and disheartening. Basically, there may be sportsbooks at four upstate casinos in the next few months… however it could be several years until any sportsbook go online/mobile in the Empire State, due to a state constitutional issue.
North Dakota: That’s right folks, North Dakota is also putting a foot on the bandwagon, too.
Pennsylvania: We’re still waiting for one/some of the sportsbooks to come online, but are happy to report there’s another brick-and-mortar option in Philadelphia, as Parx Casino’s sister operation, the South Philadelphia Turf Club, officially opened on Thursday, and next week Harrah’s Philadelphia will open up shop. PA sports betting handle in December, with just three books open, rose to $16 million.
Rhode Island: Already has land-based sportsbooks at both of its operational casinos (by William Hill), now there’s an influential lawmaker, Senate President Dominick Ruggiero, pushing to bring things online. Bless him.
ICYMI at RotoGrinders Sports Betting:
Get the full action report for the NFL Conference Championships, with insights from top bookmakers.
Also check out Grant Neiffer’s breakdown/picks for the second-to-last NFL weekend of the season (cries).
Everything you need to know about sports betting kiosks.
Controversial ending at the DraftKings Sports Betting National Championship, and now it’s escalated with the filing on Thursday of a class action lawsuit.
Here’s our contest review/recap podcast with Dan Back, Donnie Peters of SharpSide, and myself.
More important, interesting stories of the week:
BIG UPSIDE, DOWNSIDE: PointsBet brings high-risk spread betting concept from Down Under to New Jersey [Sports Handle]
IT’S NOT HEAVEN: Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Iowa has a deal in place with William Hill to run its sportsbook… when it’s legal in the state [Des Moines Register]
BUNCH OF B.S.: U.S. Department of Justice has reinterpreted the Wire Act with completely twisted logic, expanding its reach beyond sports betting [NJOG]
GLOVES: ‘The Legend vs. The Letdown’: Manny Pacquiao-Adrien Broner sports betting preview [US Bets]
EYE TOWARD IN-PLAY: NHL puts chips in pucks and players to craft game of future [Bloomberg]
Have a great weekend, folks, and lend a follow to our new Twitter account.