Betting News – Page 53

May 3, 2024

State of the Union: A look at the week that was in North America

Welcome to iGB's State of the Union, a look at the biggest North American sports betting stories we've covered over the week and briefs on others we found interesting.

Now Donald Trump Jr is getting in on the action

Donald Trump Jr is the latest to weigh in on the Alabama legislature’s legal lottery conundrum. The Alabama house passed a stripped down gambling expansion bill on Tuesday (30 April), but the senate did not after the bill’s sponsor and conference committee member, Greg Albritton, voted against the final version.

I’m excited to be in Alabama next week for a fundraiser for my dad, but whenever I ask anyone from there what's going on in the state this is all they talk about. Why's their senate refusing to let the people vote on a clean bill to legalize the lottery & fund education when 45… https://t.co/g6rWOvAWJC
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 2, 2024

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who are in Albritton’s district, would be giving up some so..

May 3, 2024

Missouri sports betting petition submitted with over 340,000 signatures

A petition to allow for statewide mobile sports betting in Missouri has been submitted to the secretary of state with over 340,000 signatures.

The “Winning for Missouri Education” group are the petition’s proponents. It is being led by the six Missouri professional sports franchises and seeks to legalise sports betting in the state.

The petition needed 180,000 verified signatures to make it onto the November ballot. It has far exceeded that prior to the 5 May deadline, also passing a target of 325,000 set in April.

The initiative would bypass the state’s general assembly following years of delays in allowing it to join nearby states such as Kansas and Kentucky in legalising online betting, with seven of Missouri’s eight bordering states currently offering sports betting.

Jack Cardetti, a spokesman for the campaign, stated: “We are grateful for the support from Missouri’s professional sports franchises, who have been crucial in creating the opportunity for Missourians to vote direct..

May 3, 2024

US TV sports betting ads down by a third from 2021

A Nielsen study on sports betting advertising commissioned by the American Gaming Association (AGA) has found that the volume of TV sports betting ads has declined by 33.3% since 2021.

The study looked at sports betting advertising trends from 2013 to 2023. The AGA noted that TV represents the largest category for sport betting advertisers.

Explaining the decrease in sports betting ad volume, the report posited that a change in localised marketing – as more states legalise sports betting – may be the culprit.

“Advertising by legal sportsbooks plays an important role in informing consumers about legitimate betting operators and in migrating those consumers to safe betting options,” said the AGA. “As sports betting has expanded into new states, legal operators often launch advertising campaigns to raise awareness of legal sportsbooks and capture market share. Over time, those markets mature and the level of advertising declines.”

Sports betting TV advertising units also declined 11% ..

May 2, 2024

Ohio betting revenue drops 3.8% in first month since college prop bet ban

Ohio reported total sports betting revenue of $63.8m (£51.0m/€59.6m) in March, down 3.8% on February’s total of $66.3m.

The sports betting revenue total of $63.8m in March also fell 33.1% short of the same month last year, when Ohio reported revenues of $95.3m. March 2023 was the third month after Ohio launched its sports betting market.

Ohio’s revenue drop was in spite of handle reaching $808.2m in March, significantly up from the $671.1m in bets taken in February. The NCAA Division 1 basketball tournaments are big drivers of handle in the US during the month.

The state’s March handle was also a 9.6% increase on the $737.2m in bets taken in the same month last year.

Taxable revenue stood at $64m, after $738.8m was paid out in winnings and $22.5m was written off in promotions.

Of the $808.2m in handle, online accounted for $784.8m, or 97.1% of the total. Online sports betting revenue was $62.1m, compared to $1.7m in retail.

FanDuel retains lead over DraftKings in Ohio

In terms ..

May 2, 2024

Survey: Bet365 beats out DraftKings, FanDuel among youngest US bettors

A new YouGov survey has highlighted the growing momentum among emerging sportsbooks in the US sports betting market.

The YouGov survey revealed that DraftKings and FanDuel are still capturing the most usage from older bettors. However, Bet365 is emerging as the dominant sportsbook among those aged 21-24.

It ranked as the top sportsbook for both the 21-24 and 25-34 age categories, above FanDuel and DraftKings. Some 31% of those surveyed between 21 and 24 had bet with Bet365 in the month prior to the survey.

Only 14% of the 21-24 age category were categorised as prospective bettors. Therefore, Bet365’s opportunity among the younger market looks set to grow further thanks to investment in the US. In total, 60% of sports bettors reported using Bet365 more, the most among all US sportsbooks.

Taking it slow working for Bet365

It should be noted that on its 2022-23 financial year, Bet365 posted a £61.2m loss. However, the company also posted significant revenue growth, with sports bettin..

May 2, 2024

Tracking Ohtani’s stolen money directly connects ex-interpreter to Nix illegal gambling ring

The question of how connected the Ippei Mizuhara, Scott Sibella and Wayne Nix illegal gambling cases are was answered on Tuesday (30 April). Mizuhara's gambling debt payments were washed through the Resorts World Las Vegas and Pechanga casinos by an illegal bookmaker in the Nix gambling ring, directly linking the three cases.

ESPN’s Tisha Thompson connected the dots. Sources confirmed that Mizuhara’s gambling-debt payments were deposited into casino accounts and converted into chips. Those chips were then used to gamble and any proceeds were converted back to cash.

The story ran hours before it was revealed that the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) had filed charges against Sibella, the former Resorts World president. The NGCB filed a three-count complaint alleging Sibella violated agency regulations.

Sibella in January pled guilty to charges that he aided an illegal gambling ring headed by Nix. Sibella’s sentencing is set for 8 May in the US District Court, Central Distric..

May 1, 2024

Massachusetts Gaming considering further non-gaming related promotional bans

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is considering further tightening their promotional and advertising prohibitions. At a meeting on Tuesday (30 April), the commission discussed banning promotions or bonuses that are not related to gaming.

The first state to consider a non-gaming related promo ban was Ohio. In that state, Fanatics offered promotions that crossed between online sports betting and retail merchandise. Last year, just after Ohio launched its legal market, Fanatics offered merchandise consumers promotional bets at its digital sportsbook. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) began discussing the idea of limiting such promotions last summer, but has not acted on it yet.

MGC outside counsel Mina Makarious said when introducing the topic that operators brought multiple issues to the OCCC. Among them, were how to implement it without creating unintended consequences and having a level playing field.

Ohio sports betting regulators are putting an end to a Fanatics..

May 1, 2024

Colorado sports betting handle nears $600.0m in March

Consumer sports wagering spend in Colorado increased 20.0% year-on-year to $593.1m (£475.7m/€556.8m) in March, while the state also reported a rise in revenue.

Handle was some way clear of the $494.4m bet during March last year. It was also 10.5% higher than the $537.0m wagered by Colorado players in February this year.

Online betting accounted for $589.3m of all sports bets placed during the month. A further $3.7m was wagered with retail sportsbooks across Colorado in March.

The hike in handle also led to higher revenue. For March, gross gaming revenue from sports in the state hit $45.0m. This is 27.1% ahead of $35.4m in March 2023 and 74.4% higher than February’s $25.8m haul.

Revenue from online betting amounted to $44.9m during the month, with retail’s share at just $165,764.

Basketball wagers hit $299.0m in March

Basketball was again the sport of choice among bettors in Colorado during March. In total, players spent $299.0m wagering on basketball, of which $297.2m was bet on..

April 30, 2024

Missouri lawmaker trying again to marry VLTs and wagering gets plenty of pushback

A Missouri hearing with no vote on Tuesday (30 April) again revealed opposition to marrying legal video lottery terminals with sports betting. This time around, it wasn't Senator Denny Hoskins carrying the bill, but House Minority Leader Crystal Quade.

HB 2835 likely won’t get far. Assigned last week to the special committee on innovation and technology, the bill got its first hearing with opposition from casinos, a convenience store association and the home docks, or locations where gambling boats sit .

There were also references that the senate has plans to adjourn early. One lawmaker suggested it may adjourn on Tuesday. If that happens, current bills would stall and lawmakers would have to wait to see if there will be a special session. The senate has not yet approved a budget.

Quade’s bill would allow for statewide mobile wagering and renames and defines video lottery terminals as “mechanical amusement machines”. The machines currently operate in a grey market. They are ..