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US Integrity partners Grid to develop esports monitoring solution
June 9, 2023

US Integrity partners Grid to develop esports monitoring solution

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Sports betting integrity monitor US Integrity has partnered with game data platform Grid to develop a new solution for the esports market.

Under the arrangement, US Integrity will use official in-game data from Grid’s data platform to expand its services portfolio to esports.

This will include monitoring integrity, suspicious or fraudulent activity at esports events, as well as the development of interactive dashboards and educational resources.

In addition, Grid will provide US Integrity with consultancy and support from its in-house esports integrity team.

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Delaware sports betting handle hits eight-month low in April
June 9, 2023

Delaware sports betting handle hits eight-month low in April

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Player spending on sports betting in Delaware fell to its lowest monthly total in eight months during April, although igaming wagers improved year-on-year.

The state’s handle in April amounted to $3.4m, down 10.0% from $4.2m in April of 2022 and marginally lower than $3.5m in March this year. This was also the lowest monthly total since August 2022.

Revenue was 19.2% higher year-on-year at $374,568, although this figure was down 31.2% from $544,385 in March.

Delaware Park retained top spot in the market with $195,226 in revenue from $1.9m in bets. Bally’s Dover followed with $93,506 from $873,791, then Harrington Raceway with $46,728 off $458,575.

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Sky Bet and EFL agree five-year partnership extension
June 7, 2023

Sky Bet and EFL agree five-year partnership extension

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The English Football League (EFL) and Sky Bet have agreed to a record five-year partnership extension, wherein Sky Bet will remain as the League's title partner until the end of the 2028-29 season.

The extension builds on a decade-long partnership. It includes a new rights fee from Sky Bet, which is up by 50%. The aim is for this to produce “significant revenues for EFL clubs” and support the League’s goal to make all clubs “financial sustainable”.

In addition, Sky Bet will invest £1m per season and £6m in total into an EFL-held Community Fund, which will be distributed into communities at EFL club locations throughout England and Wales.

The funding will be used to deliver initiatives operated by the EFL Trust and the network of club community organisations.

Trevor Birch, EFL chief executive, said that the increased funding enforces the EFL and Sky Bet’s focus on community investment.

“We have consistently seen our partnership evolve to move with the times and, with community..

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IBIA signs betting integrity deal with Portuguese regulator
June 7, 2023

IBIA signs betting integrity deal with Portuguese regulator

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The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the Portuguese Online Betting and Gambling Association (APAJO) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Under the agreement, the IBIA and APAJO will work together on issues related to betting and sports integrity, as well as a safe and sustainable online sports betting environment.

The two associations will discuss areas of cooperation and potential shared projects, with the aim of pooling their expertise on a range of activities.

“APAJO is strongly invested in building and maintaining the most beneficial environment for Portuguese consumers and operators, and sports integrity is definitively a very important part of this overarching goal,” APAJO executive committee president Ricardo Domingues said.

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with IBIA, whose extensive work and knowledge in this domain will surely be extremely valuable. We’ll look forward to making our own contribution at the international le..

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Bet365 launches in Iowa
June 6, 2023

Bet365 launches in Iowa

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Bet365 has officially launched in Iowa through a multi-year partnership with Casino Queen Marquette.

This is the latest state launch for the operator, following its entries into Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey and Colorado.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome the Hawkeye State to Bet365,” said a spokesperson from Bet365. “From Sioux City to Marquette and everywhere in between, Iowans will now have access to our market-leading sportsbook product.”

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Sorare: From pressure point to new regulations 
June 6, 2023

Sorare: From pressure point to new regulations 

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Sorare has updated its operating model in France, and gambling regulator ANJ is yet to confirm whether it meets its regulatory criteria, writes Jake Pollard. However, news that the French government is working to pass new regulations for Web3 ‘pioneers’ shows how important the sector is to the French authorities.

In a statement posted on Medium, Sorare said it had updated its product roadmap as a “temporary solution”.

This decision was taken in accordance with “the French National Gaming Authority [Autorité National des Jeux (ANJ)] that creates an optional alternative method of entry for users based in France only”.

Essentially, Sorare has increased free-play access to its fantasy sports leagues for players in France. Even if the French language version of the company’s statement, unlike the English text, mentioned that the new method of entry would be available to players “without blockchain cards”.

A marker of regulatory pressure

Overall, the move by Sorare is a marker of the..

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Episode 17: More on Brazil plus US sports betting updates
June 5, 2023

Episode 17: More on Brazil plus US sports betting updates

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Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden talk about the latest developments in US sports betting legislation, as well as more from Brazil, in episode 17 of the World Series of Politics.

We start by revisiting Brazil sports betting, the focus of our last episode, as the regulatory process undergoes yet more evolutions.

From a Provisional Measure to a bill in Brazil

Brazil sports betting looked set to pass through a provisional measure which Hugo Baumgartner outlined in episode 16.

However that PM is likely to be turned into a bill, which sets up even more legislative hurdles. Other forms of gambling such as integrated resorts may be incorporated into the process.

While this could expand the market, it could also result in the bill failing to pass. Brendan says, “it’s clear as mud” as to what’s likely to happen now. There’s plenty more to discuss in a future episode of the World Series of Politics.

More pain for Missouri sports betting

Next we pivot to US sports betting, where Missouri ..

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Churchill Downs suspends racing amid safety concerns
June 5, 2023

Churchill Downs suspends racing amid safety concerns

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Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has suspended all racing activity at its Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky due to concerns over the safety of horses.

Racing will be halted on 7 June and remain suspended through the remainder of the Spring Meet until 3 July. The remainder of the meet will be relocated to Ellis Park from 10 June.

The suspension comes amid an unusual number of horse injuries over the previous month, resulting in 12 equine fatalities.

An internal review and investigations by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) failed to identify a single factor for this increase.

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