Happy Monday, everyone. Last week’s sports betting news was a bit all over the place.
Sure, there were plenty of legislative happenings with sports betting bills as others work toward launching. But there were also a couple of curveballs.
With that, let’s jump into the weekly recap.
DraftKings removes ‘Bachelor’ contestants’ win
DraftKings announced it would not be paying former “Bachelor” contestant Jade Roper Tolbert the $1 million prize for the Millionaire Maker contest after investigating her and her husband for collusion.
The company didn’t specifically comment on the issue when it dumped a tweet Saturday morning saying it updated certain standings.
Jade and Tanner Tolbert were accused by DraftKings users of working together to submit their entries. There was very little overlap in the 150 entries each submitted.
While DraftKings isn’t paying the $1 million for the win, it’s unclear if the company and Ropert Tolbert settled the matter another way. The Tolberts stated their innocence following the accusations and have said little since then.
Could Pinnacle be looking at US sports betting?
Pinnacle could have a way into the US market after owner Magnus Hedman bought UK odds supplier Jasis Group.
Hedman plans to launch 10star, a new pricing and risk management firm, following the acquisition. The company will focus on regulated markets including the US.
Pinnacle previously suggested its B2B platform would be a way into the United States, but no agreements have been signed. Given Pinnacle’s history involving gray markets, regulators could be wary of associating with the company.
West Virginia getting another mobile book ‘soon’
Delaware North, which launched sports betting first in West Virginia before it had to pull its operations, is expected to launch sports betting again soon, according to the state’s lottery director.
The company had to shut down online sports betting at its Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island casinos after less than four months of operations. Delaware North is engaged in an ongoing battle with tech suppliers Miomni and EnterG.
That led to sports betting, both retail and through the BetLucky app, shutting down before March Madness last year.
Currently, only DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook operate mobile in the state.
Kansas bill has a chance this year
A Kansas sports betting bill that has a lot of what operators want to see could be on the path for passage this year.
SB 283, which gets its first hearing Wednesday, would allow eight mobile operators. Sportsbooks would also be allowed at the state’s four casinos. Mobile revenue would be taxed 10% with retail taxed at 7.5%.
There could also be sports betting areas at two major arenas: Kansas Speedway and Children’s Mercy Park. Those venues would have to sign an agreement with a casino offering sports betting.
SBTech sues over … journalism?
It started with a simple request to find the details of SBTech‘s contract with the Oregon Lottery. It’s evolved into one of the strangest pieces of sports betting news in this young 2020.
Instead of dishing the contract details as ordered by the Oregon Department of Justice, SBTech instead sued LSR and other entities.
LSR first asked for the details in November and instead received a heavily-redacted document. SBTech claims the contract includes trade secrets that could cause “irreparable economic harm.”
SBTech and the defendants, which also include the state’s DOJ, the lottery and The Oregonian, will meet next month in court.
