Articles by Michael Savio

The New York Gaming Commission (NYGC) reported a handle of $592.9 million for the week of Thanksgiving, breaking the previous record of $576.1 million set just weeks ago. The week’s handle was up by more than 14% compared to last year.

Underdog Fantasy has expanded its presence to 35 states after changing its controversial pick ’em games in certain markets. The games previously allowed players to bet against the house, causing regulators to view it as a form of sports betting.

The American Gaming Association has updated its “bet responsibly” campaign to tackle the issue of athlete harassment, which continues to rise across the US. The AGA hopes the campaign will help protect athletes as well as avoid heavy-handed regulations.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has fined FanDuel $10,000 for accepting $11 in improper wagers involving in-state men’s college basketball teams. It is the latest example of the MGC punishing even the most minor infractions among sports betting operators.

Bovada placed Arizona on its restricted access list after a cease-and-desist letter, making it the seventeenth US market where the operator is banned. The move continues a trend of Bovada pulling out of markets instead of risking legal action.

Discussions have begun about raising the tax rate on sports betting operators in Maryland as the state looks for a solution to its $2.7 billion deficit. Tax revenue from the industry goes towards the state’s education system, which is also driving the deficit.

Arizona will open the application process for two of the state’s available sports betting licenses, with one reserved for a tribe and the other for a pro sports team. The application window will not officially open until July 8.

Sports betting Amendment 2 is currently undergoing a recount after narrowly passing in Missouri earlier this month, but early reports are the proposal is safe. That state will need to launch a sports betting market by December 1, 2025.

The Colorado Department of Revenue reported a massive $601 million handle for the month of October, though overall revenue dropped by over 16% compared to September. The success was primarily driven by the NFL and NBA, which accounted for over half of all wagers.

A report by the New York State Gaming Commission showed that sports betting revenue surpassed $52 million for the fourth straight week as of November 17. The record came despite the handle dipping below $500 million for the first time since early October.