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California Democrats endorse “no” vote on online betting measure

The California Democratic Party has recommended that those in the state vote against a proposal that would legalise online betting.

The party – which dominates California elections, having controlled both houses of the state legislature since 1996 – announced its official list of endorsements for ballot measures that will appear in the 2022 November election.

That election will include two ballot measures related to sports betting. Tribe-backed Proposition 26, titled the California Legalize Sports Betting on American Lands Initiative. would allow for retail sports betting only on tribal lands.

Read the full story on iGB North America

July 12, 2022

Court unlikely to make decision on Florida sports betting until 2023

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The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has set out a timeline for the case that will determine the future of online sports betting in Florida, making it unlikely that any decision will be made until 2023.

The lawsuit – submitted by pari-mutuel operator West Flagler Associates – deals with the question of whether the Seminole Tribe is permitted to offer online sports betting statewide through a new tribal compact that came into effect last year.

The Florida constitution says that an expansion of gambling on non-tribal lands would require a referendum, but the Tribe contends that online bets placed on non-tribal lands would not violate this clause, as they would be accepted via servers in Seminole territory.

Rather than being against the tribe though, the lawsuit is filed against Debra Haaland, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, which reviews and approves all tribe-state compacts in the US. As a result, it is being heard in the US Court of Appeals..

July 11, 2022

Dutch minister defends Curaçao reform timeline

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Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind has defended the timeline towards reform of Curaçao’s gambling system, noting the progress the island is making towards implementing the reforms demanded by the Dutch government.

Although the island’s Council of Ministers recently approved new gambling legislation that would drastically overhaul gambling from Curaçao – by replacing the master licence system with a new licensing authority – Weerwind still faced questions on illegal gambling from Curaçao.

The new rules are expected to raise the bar to entry, potentially forcing some operators out of the market, though Finance Minister Javier Silvania said that operators who cannot meet the new standards would not be a great loss.

The questions came just over six months after his predecessor Sander Dekker faced similar questions about the steps the Netherlands was taking to deal with the sector.

In response, Weerwind said that the Dutch government was already working to pressure Curaç..

July 11, 2022

OpenBet to power Sazkabet sportsbook

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Light & Wonder has announced that its sports betting business OpenBet will power Sazka a.s and its Czech sportsbook brand Sazkabet's online and mobile sportsbook.

As part of the deal, Sazkabet has already deployed the OpenBet managed services platform, which includes a scalable betting engine and risk and liability management system.

In addition, OpenBet has now expanded its presence across Europe by partnering with Sazka , the largest lottery operator in the Czech Republic.

Jan Horyna, Sazka’s igaming director, said that the agreement is crucial to improving the company’s offerings.

“Transitioning to OpenBet’s sports betting technology and services is a key move for us to provide our customers with high-quality and responsible betting experiences,” said Horyna.

“With OpenBet’s transformed modern technology, we are delighted to have introduced significant improvements to our overall sportsbook offering and relish the opportunity to plan future collaborations with OpenBet over..

July 8, 2022

Betfred partners Long Shot’s for Maryland sports betting launch

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Betfred's sports arm, BetFred Sports, has agreed a market access deal in Maryland with off-track betting facility and restaurant Long Shot’s of Frederick.

Under the agreement, Betfred will offer both retail and online sports betting in the state.

A temporary retail sportsbook will open adjacent to the Maryland Jockey Club’s off-track betting within Long Shot’s for the 2022 National Football League season. Due to open in September, the facility will include in-person betting windows and self-serve betting kiosks.

A permanent sportsbook site with a video wall, theatre-style seating and food and beverage facilities is scheduled to open early next year.

Betfred also intends to roll out online sports betting in the state, though remains subject to final regulatory approval.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed a bill to legalise both online and retail sports betting in Maryland last year, after voters approved sports betting through a November 2020 referendum.

However, while reta..

July 8, 2022

Delaware betting handle hits lowest point since August 2020

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Sports betting handle in Delaware dropped to its lowest point since August 2020 while revenue fell by two thirds year-on-year during June 2022.

During the month ended 26 June, players staked a total of $3.5m, which was 41.1% less than in June of 2021. In addition, this figure was the lowest since August 2020, which was the first full month following the reopening of casinos and racetracks in the state after Covid-19 lockdowns.

The number of wagers placed also reached a new low for the year, at 112,200.

Revenue was also down sharply, by 67.1% year-on-year to $212,768.

Both revenue and handle were down year-on-year at each of the state’s three operators. Delaware Park led the way with almost half of the revenue and handle. Players staked $1.7m, almost exactly half of what they staked in June 2021, while the sportsbook took in $100,914, down 72.7%.

Dover Downs followed, with revenue of $57,411 from stakes of $1.0m, its lowest total since July 2020 when the venue was closed for much o..

July 7, 2022

Arizona sports betting handle hits $512.9m in April

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Players in Arizona spent $512.9m (£429.3m/€502.8m) on sports betting during April, while gross revenue for the month reached $29.2m.

The state’s handle was the second-highest monthly total since the launch of legal wagering, 25.8% behind the record $691.0m that was wagered in March of this year.

Consumers bet $509.5m online during the month, while the remaining $3.3m was spent at retail sportsbook locations.

Players won $482.4m from sports betting in April, which left $29.2m in gross revenue, 21.5% lower than the $37.2m figure in March.

After including $12.7m worth of free bets and promotional credits, taxable revenue for the month was $16.5m, down 11.8% from the previous month

The state was also able to collect $1.6m in tax from sports betting during April.

DraftKings again processed the most wagers during March, taking $155.9m in online bets, marginally ahead of FanDuel with $152.5m in combined online and retail wagers. BetMGM followed with $100.6m in online bets.

In terms of ..

July 7, 2022

Portuguese online gambling revenue jumps 23.6% YoY in Q1

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Portuguese regulator Serviço Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ) reported a 23.6% year-on-year increase in online gambling revenue for the first quarter of 2022.

Revenue for the three months to the end of March was €158.6m (£135.3m/$161.7m), up from €128.3m in the corresponding period last year.

Online casino revenue for the quarter amounted to €80.9m, which was 37.6% higher than €58.8m in Q1 of 2021, while online sports betting revenue also increased 11.8% to €77.7m.

Looking at player spending, consumers wagered a total of €2.21bn on online casino during the three-month period, up 37.3% year-on-year, though online sports bets were down by 12.8% to €369.4m.

Breaking down player gambling habits, of the total amount wagered in online casino, 78.1% was on slot games, with 8.8% on French roulette and 5.1% on blackjack.

In terms of sports betting, 69.9% of all online bets placed were on football, with 12.4% each on basketball and tennis, and the remaining 5.3% ..

July 6, 2022

Playmaker Capital acquires World Soccer Talk

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Affiliate business Playmaker Capital has acquired US-based soccer media company World Soccer Talk.

Playmaker announced the news in a press release in which it focused on the rising popularity of soccer in North America, emphasising its place as the now the fourth most popular sport in the country after American football, basketball, and baseball.

Playmaker CEO Jordan Gnat commented on the deal: “Soccer is on the rise in the US and Canada, and Playmaker is focused on becoming the preeminent voice for the sport across the Americas, from the top of Canada to the bottom of Argentina.”

“World Soccer Talk founder, Christopher Harris, exudes a true passion for sport that’s shared by the entire Playmaker team, and we’re excited to welcome him and World Soccer Talk into our family and our ecosystem as a core piece of a broader soccer strategy in advance of World Cups 2022, 2023 and 2026.”

World Soccer Talk web, social media and podcast assets will join Playmaker’s existing portfolio of digi..

July 5, 2022

VBet partners with OGC Nice

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BetConstruct-operated sports betting and gaming brand VBet has announced a new sponsorship deal with French football club OGC Nice.

The club will be the latest French football team to make a deal with operator, following the announcement of similar deals with AS Monaco in 2020 and Paris FC the previous March. VBet branding will feature on the club’s shorts through to 2025, as well as prominently on its digital platforms.

In return, VBet will broadcast exclusive content for its partner as well as organise events and competitions to win match tickets – in addition to offering other digital content throughout the season.

VBet France president David Ozararat commented on the deal: “Aside from the symbolism of teaming up with the city where I was born and grew up, I’m very happy VBet is becoming one of the official partners of OGC Nice alongside its shareholder INEOS. Today, the club’s potential is at the highest possible level and the ambitions of its president are aligned with our bus..

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