The Week In Sports Betting News: Can Ohio Cross Finish Line?


Written By

Updated on

sports betting ohio finish line 2020

Happy Monday, everyone. It’s that time of year when news about what states could be the next to legalize sports betting ramps up, and this year is no different.

Some of those states were discussed on the latest LSR Podcast. The team also discussed the biggest story from earlier this month: Flutter‘s acquisition of another 37% of FanDuel for $4.2. billion.

With multiple states still considering sports betting this year, be sure to follow @LSPReport on Twitter for any breaking news updates.

Top sports betting news: Ohio still has a chance in 2020

Ohio‘s sports betting bill doesn’t look much like many predicted it would, but it still has a shot at legalization this year.

Sens. John Eklund and Sean O’Brien officially introduced their substitute for SB 111 last Tuesday. The bill legalizes retail and mobile sports betting in Ohio but limits casinos to just one mobile skin per license.

The bill still has some hurdles to jump since it needs to pass out of committee and through the full chamber on both sides before the end of the year. Eklund previously told LSR he believes he has the support of Reps. Dave Greenspan and Brigid Kelly, the House’s sports betting proponents, for his substitution.

“Whether we’re operating with another week or another two weeks, I think we can still get this done,” Eklund said. “I really do.”

Connecticut sports betting seems likely in 2021

To use some sports betting parlance, it would appear that legalizing sports betting in Connecticut next year is a lock.

Multiple news reports from local Connecticut outlets last week showed signs of positive discussions between the state’s two gaming tribes and Gov. Ned Lamont.

Lamont now sounds open to a sports betting model that gives the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Indians control over the industry. He told the CT Mirror he doesn’t want Connecticut to be left behind while surrounding states move forward.

Rep. Sean Scanlon, the incoming House co-chair of the legislature’s finance committee, was even more bullish on sports betting:

“Sports betting will be legalized in 2021. You can bet on it.”

The Mashantucket Pequot also took a notable step forward in the process by picking DraftKings as its sports betting partner.

Michigan launching online markets next year

It appears to finally be official that Michigan‘s online sports betting and iGaming markets won’t see a 2020 launch.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board was holding out hope for a December launch, but appears to be out of time. The MCGB’s website now lists early 2021 as the official start date.

That means Michigan online sports betting should be live for Super Bowl wagers but could miss the end of the regular NFL season and even some of the playoffs.

The delay hurts casino operators in Michigan that much more as all retail casinos have been closed since Nov. 17 through at least this Sunday to deter a coronavirus surge in the state.

Live updates about the launch here from PlayMichigan.

Pritzker again renews mobile registration in Illinois

As expected, Gov. JB Pritzker again authorized mobile registration for Illinois online sports betting for another month.

Pritzker didn’t have much of a choice this time. While he’s renewed the order for the past few months as an alternative to signing up in a casino, there’s no option for in-person registration right now with all of the state’s casinos closed since Nov. 17.

We’re still waiting to find out how Illinois’ market performed in October, but so far mobile registration appears to be helping. Handle topped $300 million in September, which was the state’s first full month of mobile betting.

DraftKings partners with Predators in Tennessee

DraftKings Sportsbook signed yet another sports betting and daily fantasy sports partnership, this time in Tennessee.

DraftKings is now the official DFS partner and an official sports betting operator of the NHL‘s Nashville Predators. It’s the first marketing agreement the brand signed in the state since Tennessee sports betting launched Nov. 1.

The partnership includes the standard details for these partnerships, including DraftKings branding and signage incorporated throughout Bridgestone Arena. Betting lines provided by DraftKings will also be showcased on pre-game and in-game radio spots.

BetRivers enters West Virginia

Rush Street Interactive will enter the West Virginia sports betting and iGaming market through an agreement with Century Casinos.

The deal runs for ten years and can be extended another ten. BetRivers should launch in the second quarter of next year.

Rush Street Interactive is going public through a SPAC and the process should be completed soon. Investors in dMY Technology will vote to approve the merger Dec. 29.