SportsHandle and friends deliver another round-up of the week’s big developments in US sports betting.

North Carolina Legislature Approves Sports Betting At Two Tribal Casinos

It may be the dog days of summer when it comes to sports betting, but don’t tell lawmakers in North Carolina. Legislators in the Tar Heel State on Monday passed a bill with no discussion that will legalize sports betting at two tribal casinos. SB 154 overwhelmingly passed a first reading in the House of Representatives, 91-26, and then immediately passed a third reading via voice vote.

Full story here.

Opinion: The War Over Sports Betting Data: Lies, Half-Truths and Statistics: Part I

Over the past several months, Sports Handle has reported extensively about sports betting data and the battle over that data occurring across the U.S. between professional sports leagues, sportsbooks, state legislatures and other stakeholders. This piece is opinion. 

It summarizes various inconsistencies, false alarms, disingenuous claims, and insults to intelligence perpetrated by certain pro sports leagues with respect to sports betting data. In particular, I am referring to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the PGA Tour (collectively, the “Leagues”), that  have lobbied aggressively in lockstep in favor of requiring state-licensed sportsbooks to use “official data” to grade in-game wagers (live betting). 

Full story here.

New York Launches Sports Betting With Opening Of Rivers Schenectady Sportsbook

Weeks after mobile sports wagering suffered a resounding defeat in the New York legislature, legalized sports betting launched Tuesday in the Empire State on a limited basis.

New York became the 10th state nationwide to accept legal sports bets on Tuesday when a sportsbook inside Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady opened its doors. A bevy of politicians, former athletes and other luminaries took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning at the 5,000 square foot lounge.

Full story here.

Bookies Bookie Jimmy Vaccaro Leaving Pittsburgh, Returning to Las Vegas

Jimmy Vaccaro is returning to Las Vegas from his current post at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. Rivers Casino is owned by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming.

The 73-year-old bookmaking icon is resuming his marketing and promotional role at Las Vegas’s South Point sportsbook at the end of July.

A top-level South Point Hotel Casino Spa executive told Penn Bets exclusively that the legendary bookmaker’s return to Las Vegas is, in large part, prompted by the ongoing illness of current South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews.

Full story here.

Indiana Gambling Facilities Receive Provisional Sports Betting Permits

Indiana’s move toward legal sports betting is picking up speed with the issuance of 12 temporary sports wagering permits this past Friday.

The provisional permits are being viewed as a test of the system before retail sports wagering has its anticipated official launch on Sept. 1, ahead of the start to the NFL season. Given to a dozen casinos and off-track betting facilities, the “temporary certificates of authority” were awarded late last week and allow the pre-approved facilities to launch brick-and-mortar wagering as the Indiana Gaming Commission decides the final outcome of their full license applications.

Full story here.