The Arizona Department of Gaming has reported a handle of over $496 million in August, generating over $2.2 million in tax revenue for the state’s General Fund. This number represents an increase of 38.4% annually and a 21% increase compared to July.
The St. Louis Democratic Central Committee has opposed Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting in Missouri if passed. The group cited concerns over operators' ability to deduct gambling revenue as the primary reason to oppose the current proposal.
Colorado residents will vote on Proposition JJ in November’s election, which would eliminate the state’s $29 million cap on sports betting tax revenue. Sportsbooks have decided to stay out of the debate, seeing the change as an alternative to a significant tax hike.
In a recent interview, Dallas Cowboy’s co-owner Charlotte Jones shared that she will be making a hard push to help legalize sports betting in Texas in 2025. While no details have been shared, her wealth and influence give industry proponents a critical ally.
Sporttrade has officially launched its sportsbook platform in Arizona. The operator gained access to the market after partnering with the Quechan Tribe, allowing it to launch the platform. The launch gives Arizona a total of 13 sportsbooks, with more likely on the way.
The Indian Gaming Association has said it is beginning a push to reign in the unregulated sweepstakes and DFS industries. The group has complained about the lack of action from the state and federal action and is now taking matters into its own hands.
The NBA has updated a 2009 policy that will now ban cell phone use for coaches and players during games, lasting from tip-off until the final whistle. The hope is that this will prevent future betting scandals and protect the league's integrity.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has reported a handle of over $532 million for September. That set a new record for the state and led to the tax revenue being almost three times as much compared to September 2023.
September revenue numbers show that the US has now seen over $400 billion in sports betting wagers since PASPA was overturned by the US Supreme Court in 2018. New Jersey has the highest handle, though New York has quickly closed the gap.
Hard Rock has confirmed that it has begun talks with FanDuel and DraftKings about entering the Florida market, over which the operator currently has sole control. A partnership would involve the industry leaders paying Hard Rock a monthly percentage.
Maine is reporting a sports betting handle of $51 million for September. This impressive result is a 45% increase from August, thanks largely to the start of the football season. DraftKings led the way, accounting for $46 million of the handle.
DraftKings has donated another $5 million to Winning for Missouri Education, a group campaigning to get voters to legalize sports betting in November. The money will be used to generate ads and awareness ahead of the upcoming election.
Kentucky’s strong August sports betting revenue numbers have pushed their total handle up to $2.4 billion, far exceeding even the most liberal projections. DraftKings Sportsbook is leading the market, followed closely by FanDuel, and bet365 in a distant third.
Massachusetts sent a cease-and-desist letter to offshore sportsbook Bovada, demanding it shutter its platform in the state. In addition to not paying tax on the revenue generated, the state accuses the operator of misleading customers into thinking the platform is based in the US.
The North Carolina Lottery Commission reports that the state has received $61 million in tax revenue over the first six months, beating the annual projection of $36.1 million. The regulator also approved rules for retail sports betting, meaning that it could go live soon.
A Michigan bettor has been arrested after being charged with defrauding Caesars Sportsbook by exploiting a system vulnerability on their online platform. The bettor is alleged to have stolen over $500,00 after making a fake $2 million deposit.
ESPN Bet was approved for an operating license and launched its online sportsbook in New York this week, giving the Empire State nine operators. New York has consistently been the country's most valuable sports betting market, making the launch a victory for ESPN.
Three of Missouri’s four gubernatorial candidates expressed their support for legal sports betting. Republican Mike Kehoe, Democrat Crystal Quade, and Libertarian Bill Slantz all pledged to support a recent ballot initiative that will voted on in the November election.
SI Sportsbook announced on Wednesday that it ceased operations in Colorado, becoming the third sports betting operator to exit the market in September. The move leaves the state with 15 operators, while SI Sportsbook will only be available in Michigan and Virginia.
FanDuel dominated Washington, D.C.’s online sports betting sports betting market with a $21 million handle and over $550,000 in tax revenue despite three new operators launching in July. The industry leader’s handle was higher than their three rivals combined.
Reports have shown that Caesars Entertainment has donated $4 million to a group looking to sway voters to vote against legal sports betting in November. While some industry insiders saw the move coming, much of the public was left stunned.
The MLB Players Union has filed lawsuits against DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and bet365, alleging the illegal use of players' images. They claim the operators need a licensing deal to use those images, which the union has been cracking down on over the last month.
The AGA has come out strongly against the SAFE Bet Act, describing the proposed bill as a slap in the face to the efforts of states and their regulators. If passed, the bill would move almost all regulatory control over sports betting to the federal government.
Caesars Sportsbooks has been approved to launch 53 sports betting kiosks across Washington, D.C., replacing the ones previously operated by GameBetDC. The move is the result of sports betting expansion language included in the District’s 2025 budget.
Fanatics Sportsbook launched its platform in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, making it the fifth operator to go live in the market. Fanatics is now available in 22 markets across the US, making it one of the most widespread sportsbooks in the country.
Two lawmakers have proposed the SAFE Bet Act, which would completely overhaul the US sports betting industry. The proposal would reset the market, handing control over to the federal government. The bill would also add severe advertising restrictions and protections for bettors.
Circuit Court Judge Green has ruled that a lawsuit challenging a sports betting initiative lacked the evidence needed to keep it off the November ballot. That means residents will have a chance to legalize the industry in the upcoming election.
New York has reported a 29% year-over-year increase to their sports betting handle in August, a third of which was generated in the first week of the college football season. DraftKings led all operators for the first time since May with $526 million in wagers.
The IRS has sent out a press release warning bettors against using unregulated sportsbooks when wagering on the upcoming NFL season. They estimate that the illegal sports betting market in the US to be worth northwards of $700 million.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has levied a $33,000 fine against bet365 for offering unapproved betting options on its sportsbook. The wager in question revolved around events that were on tap delay, making them illegal under New Jersey law.
The AGA estimates that the NFL season will see around $35 billion in wagers, a 30% increase from last year. More states starting the season with legal sports betting, an expanded D.C. market, and Bovada's downfall are expected to lead to more wagers this season.
A Missouri Court will review a lawsuit on Thursday that challenges a recent initiative to put sports betting on the November ballot. The challenge argues that old maps were used when the state reviewed the initiative's signatures, which should have led to its failure.
A study from the University of Bristol showed that most US sportsbooks’ social media posts do not include verbiage about responsible gaming. The AGA confirmed the study was likely correct but also clarified that sportsbooks are not required to include it in non-sponsored posts.
