SportsHandle and friends deliver another round-up of the week’s big developments in US sports betting.
Buyer Beware: Sports Betting Touts In Era Of Widespread Legalization
Steve Fezzik is a numbers whiz. A former actuary and Chess Candidate Master, he’s the first person to ever win the Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest in back to back years (2008, 2009). Some have even called him “the best bettor in the world,” per his bio at PreGame.com.
Dave Oancea, better known as “Vegas Dave,” flashes diamonds and chains as he drives his Bentley through the streets of Las Vegas. He’s made his fortune betting on sports. Supposedly. You may have seen him featured on the Showtime miniseries Action with little discussion of his felonious background upon his introduction. “God gave me this gift,” Dave tells cameras during the show.
Full story here.
As States Consider Anti-Courtsiding Measures, Debate On Transmission Of Live Data Intensifies
Buried in an 18-page sports betting bill that passed last month in the New York Senate is an anti-courtsiding provision that gives venues the authority to remove spectators that violate a broad range of code of conduct standards.
On one end, proponents of the measure claim it provides leagues with the safeguards necessary to maintain the integrity of their sports as gambling becomes woven, legally, into the fabric of professional and collegiate athletics nationwide. On the other, detractors may argue that such language amounts to a “backstop” in lieu of a statutory mandate that requires sportsbook operators to use “official league data” for determining the outcome of certain in-game wagers.
Full story here.
North Carolina On Verge Of Passing Bill For Study Of Statewide Sports Betting
North Carolina’s sports betting plans are currently in limbo, but major progress was made this week.
On Thursday, the North Carolina House approved a piece of legislation that calls for a study of the “feasibility” of regulating sports wagering in the state. A newly formed North Carolina Gaming Commission would look at many issues surrounding the activity, including the “positive and negative impacts” of sports betting, and potential revenues and state expenditures from allowing it.
Full story here.
D.C. Council Approves Controversial Mobile Sports Betting Contract With Intralot
A resolution passed in the D.C. Council on Tuesday evening that sole-sourced the district’s mobile sports betting contract to Intralot, despite strenuous objection from several members regarding ethical concerns surrounding the Greek gaming company’s relationship with an embattled council member.
The measure narrowly passed by a 7-5 vote, with one absence. And the final vote was cast by Jack Evans, a longtime council member, currently under multiple investigations for his private business dealings, including interactions with Intralot. Evans voted for the resolution, along with council members Vincent Gray, Kenyan McDuffie, Brandon Todd, Anita Bonds, Robert White and Phil Mendelson, the council’s chairman.
Full story here.
Tennessee Lottery Could Discuss Sports Betting at August Meeting
Are things heating up for sports betting in Tennessee?
The Board of Directors for the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation is scheduled to meet Aug. 14 in Nashville, the TELC’s first public meeting since the sports wagering law became effective July 1. The state lottery will regulate online/mobile sports wagering in the Volunteer State.
Lottery officials discussed sports wagering at the TELC hearing in May, prior to the legislation becoming law. The TELC recently updated its website to include a “sports gaming” section.
Full story here.
Two, Possibly Three Online Casinos Expected To Launch Monday In Pennsylvania
More than 620 days after Pennsylvania legalized online casino gaming, the state’s first platforms appear ready to launch and take bets from customers.
On Monday, commercial online casino gambling from Parx and Penn National (owner of the Hollywood Casino) are expected to go live for testing, in what is called a “soft” launch phase, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board told Penn Bets Wednesday after its regularly scheduled hearing in Harrisburg.
There could be a third online casino platform to launch Monday, but the PGCB said that is still up in the air. The testing phase will have limited hours for the online casinos. In a matter of days after the soft launch, they will be 24/7 operations, like their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
Full story here.
