The second chapter on Illinois sports betting and possible online casino expansion is set to take place Wednesday at the state capitol. State Rep. Bob Rita, a Democrat, will bring together two House subcommittees to discuss various gaming topics such as sports betting, online gambling, daily fantasy sports (DFS) and casino expansion. It has been quite the journey for Illinois gaming, which has been kicking around since early 2017. Introduced by Rita, the legislation has morphed into a massive gambling expansion bill akin to a 2017 law passed in Pennsylvania. For more on Illinois sports betting and online gambling, visit…

The four major U.S. professional sports leagues could reap a combined $4.2 billion annually as a result of legal sports bets, most of it indirectly from increased fan engagement, according to a casino industry survey released on Thursday. The findings could fuel a long-simmering feud between the gaming industry and American sports leagues, who want a share of the gambling revenue as U.S. states begin to legalize sports betting. The survey showed leagues stand to benefit even without taking a cut of wagers. The National Football League is likely to make the most, with a projected $2.33 billion of additional…

The plans for West Virginia sports betting have dealt a blow to the major US sports leagues after integrity fees were not included in the state’s revised betting rules. Sports betting is already live at two of the state’s five casinos – with mobile betting expected soon – however firms have been operating since August on temporary rules. The state’s Lottery Commission approved the final regulations after reviewing 18 suggested amendments. It rejected all seven proposals put forward by major sports leagues, including a plan for West Virginia sports betting to collect integrity fees of 1% of turnover put forward by the…

With dozens of states rushing to capitalize on the U.S. Supreme Court lifting a federal ban on sports gambling, will game fixing scenarios become more common? The four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA think so, and have argued for years that expanding legal betting will lead to more game fixing. The pro leagues have sought, unsuccessfully so far, a cut of state gambling revenues to increase monitoring. Meanwhile, architects of New Jersey’s successful legal challenge to the sports gambling ban say those fears are overstated and that bringing sports betting out of the shadows will make it easier…

The recent Senate appointment of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States was carried out in the midst of many important questions. Despite serious scrutiny surrounding allegations of sexual assault, he was confirmed. So now that he’s the newest high court justice, it’s time we look at Judge Kavanaugh sports betting and gambling. There are some questions answered by Kavanaugh that might also provide important lessons for protecting sports betting integrity, although would hardly be the first Supreme Court justice to enjoy an occasional indulgence in gambling.Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s reputation was that of a “notorious…

Who needs at sports betting ban in America? The idea of people placing illegal bets on sports doesn’t keep most of us up at night. In fact, many of us likely have family and friends who make illegal wagers, further normalizing the activity. But, we also know that unsavory characters run elaborate illegal sports betting operations to help fund more sinister criminal activity. That’s why we’ve been part of the American Sports Betting Coalition and working with other invested stakeholders on the issue of illegal sports betting for the past few years. The startling truth the coalition uncovered was that…