Another week of news and developments in the US sports betting market, as viewed by our colleagues across the pond at SportsHandle.com.
Here’s What Happened at the House Judiciary Hearing on Sports Betting
A House Judiciary subcommittee hearing titled “Post-PASPA: An Examination of Sports Betting in America” proceeded on Thursday under the shadow of a more high-profile hearing in the Senate.
Little new ground was covered during the one-and-a-half hour session that largely afforded the five witnesses an opportunity to reiterate their main positions underscored in the written statements submitted prior to the session.
Full story here.
Nevada Representative Dina Titus to Congress: No Need to Reinvent
Wheel on Sports Betting
Nevada Representative Dina Titus (NV-1) has been on record many times reiterating her distaste for a federal framework for sports betting. After all, the state of Nevada has had legal casino-style gaming, including sports betting, since 1949. With nearly 70 years of experience under its belt, Nevada doesn’t need any (or want) any input from, well, novices. As the old saying goes, if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“I don’t think it’s a very good idea, it’s reinventing the wheel,” Titus told Sports Handle on Tuesday. “Nevada has been doing this for a long time and we do it very well. You’re going to have to start from whole cloth if you start from the federal level. The more states that move into this, and there are five already, the less appetite there would be for a federal framework.”
Full story here.
William Hill And IGT Partner Up, Look to Dominate Sports Betting
Connected to US Lotteries
Displaying assurance in their Rhode Island alliance and the probability that many states will operate sports betting through current lottery operations, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Game Technology and William Hill U.S., a subsidiary of William Hill revealed Tuesday they have entered into a multi-year agreement to offer U.S. lotteries a full service solution for sports betting.
In late August, the Rhode Island Lottery chose IGT and William Hill to jointly run its sports betting operation under the state lottery umbrella. IGT, the long-time lottery contractor in Rhode Island with brick-and mortar offices in Providence, is using its sports betting platform with William Hill serving as risk manager.
Full story here.
Harrah’s 3rd to Apply for PA Sports Betting License, and PGCB Likely
to Vote on 2 Applications Next Week
A third Pennsylvania casino has submitted a petition for a sports wagering license, according the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. On Monday, the board said Chester Downs and Marina, which operates Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, had made application. Two other casinos — the Hollywood Casino and Parx Casino — made applications in August.
Those first two Pennsylvania casinos are poised to become the first to get approval for sports betting when the state’s Gaming Control Board meets on Oct. 3. According to the PGCB’s Director of Communications, Doug Harbach, “it is highly likely that sports wagering petitions from both Penn National and Parx casinos will be up for consideration by the Board at its October 3rd meeting.” If the petitions are on the agenda, hearings will be held at the front end of the meeting.
Full story here.
