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Georgia has mobile sports betting on its mind
A bipartisan bill that would legalize mobile betting is awaiting its introduction in Georgia.
SB 403 reads in part like Tennessee‘s betting law passed last year. There’s no mention of a license cap, which suggests Georgia could become an important state for sportsbook operators.
Revenue would be taxed at 10%, but that’s mostly the end of the reasonable. Sportsbooks would have to pay up $900,000 annually to renew their licenses. They’d also be required to buy official league data for in-play betting.
College betting would also have limited prop bets, though the bill doesn’t ban betting on Georgia schools.
Push for mobile in New York, too
New York‘s anemic sports betting industry needs mobile betting and decision-makers are noticing.
New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow recommended the inclusion of mobile betting into the state budget.
The recommendation was made in a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Also included in the letter was a request to allow betting on college tournaments held in the state, which is currently banned.
Sen. Joe Addabbo will likely include mobile betting in the Senate’s budget as well, much like he did last year.
Pretlow thinks he can get the support to convince Heastie, who isn’t a fan of gambling, to put mobile betting in the budget. If it’s included in the budget of both chambers, it would be harder to veto, Pretlow said.
NY sent how much money to NJ?
We finally have a legitimate estimate on how much handle is crossing New York’s bridges into New Jersey.
New Yorkers bet an estimated $837 million in New Jersey last year, according to research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.
That could ramp up to $1.56 billion by 2022 if the state doesn’t allow mobile betting or retail sportsbooks near New York City, the research concluded.
Urlacher’s brother in an illegal sports betting ring
Former Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher‘s brother, Casey, was indicted with nine others for alleged ties to an illegal betting operation.
The ring allegedly accepted bets from as many as 1,000 gamblers. The ring included the use of a website where bets were placed, powered by a platform provided by an unnamed offshore bookmaker.
The news sent ripples around the sports world, mostly for the involvement of a former player’s brother. But it’s no secret that illegal gambling happens all over the country.
NHL betting gets a boost with streaming agreement
In a move that could help drum up NHL betting interest, the league gave live streaming rights to IMG Arena for distribution to its US sportsbook partners.
IMG Arena already operates a similar streaming deal for the league in Europe, as well as live tennis streaming in the United States. US sportsbooks will get access to select out-of-market hockey games under the agreement.
The streaming agreement is part of the NHL’s progressive approach to betting and gives another opportunity for fan engagement, said Steve McArdle, NHL executive VP of digital media and strategic planning.
Make it a half-dozen betting bills in MO
Rep. Phil Christofanelli decided he didn’t like what he saw in the five introduced sports wagering bills in Missouri, so he added his own.
H 2138 removes three key aspects found in other bills:
- Paying leagues an integrity fee.
- Requiring official league data.
- Tying betting to the legalization of video lottery terminals.
Christofanelli said he doesn’t think the fees to leagues is the best way to get betting legalized. But he added he wouldn’t oppose a bill with those requirements if that’s what the legislature wants.
He also does not want to limit licensees to just one mobile platform as he heard from stakeholders that more brands could lead to a more robust market.