Happy Monday, everyone. Leagues continue to announce more and more news that suggests sports betting should be back in full swing by the end of the month.
Despite the nearly four months of suspended seasons and delayed starts, sports betting news continues to trickle out. The latest LSR Podcast, as always, touches on a couple of last week’s biggest stories.
And give @LSPReport a follow on Twitter as we push coverage on the biggest news stories as they happen.
Top sports betting news: California tribes get extension
California sports betting prospects have gotten bleaker as the summer progresses. But a recent extension leaves it on track for 2023, at least.
California’s Native American tribes can continue collecting signatures for its sports betting initiative through Oct. 12. Should it gather enough signatures, the question will land on the 2022 ballot.
The tribes want sports betting at their casinos as well as racetracks. A bill that had similar intentions, but included mobile sports betting and legalized certain banked games at cardrooms, was killed in the face of tribal opposition this year.
Tipico hitting US with NJ launch
German sports betting operator Tipico will hit US shores in time for the NFL betting season.
Tipico is launching with Ocean Casino Resort to join the New Jersey sports betting market. An agreement with a technology partner for an online casino launch will also be announced in the coming weeks.
The German company uses its own pricing and technology in Europe, which will continue in the US.
Circa Sports launches in Colorado
The Circa brand made its first movements outside of Nevada with a sports betting launch in Colorado.
Owner Derek Stevens told LSR he’s excited by remote registration and funding, with the regulations setting up what he expects to be a “heck of a great market for everybody.”
Circa Sports brings its focus on providing the best value to Colorado. The sportsbook also won’t shy away from sharps just like in Nevada.
OK sports betting case begins in Supreme Court
Depending on who you ask, last week’s first oral presentations were either about a governor’s power, separation of powers, or in our case, sports betting.
Whether Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt did the right thing by authorizing illegal games like sports betting in two new tribes could be decided by the state’s Supreme Court. The referee hearing the presentations will write a non-binding recommendation to the court after hearing both sides.
Stitt authorized sports betting in new compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation. Legislative leaders and Attorney General Mike Hunter agree Stitt can’t bind the state to new laws.
Those two compacts were officially published by the Federal Register last week, which means sports betting is technically legal in Oklahoma.
Possible sportsbook partners for Kalispel?
The Kalispel Indians of Washington have cut sportsbook partner negotiations down to just five operators, casino exec Kevin Zenishek told LSR.
The RFP process includes some well-known brands as well as one that could be a surprise in the US, he said.
Tribal sports betting was approved earlier this year by ESHB 2638. It includes on-site mobile sports betting, which Zenishek will definitely be in the plans at his Northern Quest casino. The Kalispel also operate the Kalispel Casino.
Washington sports betting could launch by the end of the year, he estimated.
PointsBet lands first MLB sportsbook partnership
Australian-listed PointsBet announced the first sportsbook sponsorship of an MLB team, agreeing to be the official gaming partner of the Detroit Tigers.
PointsBet has an agreement with the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to offer retail and mobile sports betting and gaming in the state.
The sportsbook will get in-stadium signage and mentions on the team’s digital platforms.
PointsBet is also now an authorized gaming operator of the MLB. That gives it access to official data and trademarks to use in the sportsbook.
