As we head toward 2021, the push for California sports betting is picking up steam… even if it has no hope of regulating the activity until at least 2022. The Coalition to Authorize Regulated Sports Wagering says they have gathered over 1,400,000 signatures from registered voters in the state who support the legalization of betting on sports. Although, more that 997,000 of those signatures still have to be verified. The original signature deadline was July 20th of this year but a judge extended it through December 14th because of COVID-19 related restrictions. The Constitution of the state of California regulates…

There is no doubting that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact for sectors across the globe, with some areas simply looking to survive and others flourishing from the situation. The gambling sector is one that has been impacted both negatively and positively. When the pandemic first hit, it led to sports events being cancelled and postponed world-wide. You have the likes of the Olympic games and the European championships that were moved to 2021, with the European championships for example being a major betting event when it takes place. With many other sporting events put on hold, this…

Players in the Empire State have been able to place wagers on sporting events at land based casinos, but New York online sports betting has so far remained elusive despite repeated attempts to regulate it. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo recently indicated that he is open to legalizing mobile sports wagers in his state. He mentioned the topic while discussing the state’s financial $17 billion deficit, caused in part by the Coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey has emerged as the leader in sports betting with a handle of over $930 million just in November. If the activity were regulated in New York…

For a third month in a row, Iowa sports betting set a record for revenue. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission data shows that over $87 million was wagered on sporting events in the state, both online and in land based sports books last month. November was the second straight month where over $80 million was bet. The handle in September was over $72 million. More than $445 million of the total money wagered in Iowa has come through online bets. Starting on January 1, bettors won’t have to register new online accounts with in-person visits to casinos. Read more…

After a long history of opposition to expanded gambling, Disney sports betting and fantasy sports are set to become a real thing. The company recently said that their goal is to use betting on sports to strengthen the company’s ESPN+ streaming service. Disney purchased ABC Television, and ABC owns ESPN. Over the past several years, Disney had been hesitant to embrace sports betting. But they now seem to feel that regulated betting on sporting events and the emergence of fantasy sports are a great way to improve the ESPN+ service. The company also stated that it has added 11.5 million…

With riverboat gaming already in place, the possibility of Missouri sports betting in 2021 is looking like a possibility. A few of those riverboat casinos already have licenses for betting on sporting events and fantasy games. In fact, gambling on sports could have been legalized in the state this year if not for the pandemic. Now heading into 2021, many expect that the state will regulate the activity as three state senators have put forth different bills for retail, online and mobile and sports books. The most favorable legislation is Bill 256 which includes the lowest state imposed fees, avoids…

The fight over online sports betting in New York has been raging for the past several years. Now, it’s back again. Lawmakers in the state are hoping that a looming budget deficit and falling revenues may finally help regulate internet sports bets. State Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow have been long time advocates of the activity, and have now hinted that online wagering legislation could pass out of the legislature before the end of the year. “My colleagues know that we need the money and there will be revenue deficiencies next year compared to this year, so…

Call it an investment in the American market as Flutter acquires FanDuel shares which give them over a 37% stake in the company. The minority shareholder’s stake cost them over $4.1 billion and lifts Flutter’s stake in FanDuel from 57% to 95%. FanDuel CEO, Matt King, stated that the news “…affirms FanDuel’s market-leading position in the US and our meaningful growth trajectory…” FanDuel has recently partnered with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies on a sports-betting partnership. The company also launched its online sports betting app in Tennessee in October. FanDuel Group is a New York City headquartered gaming…