Sports Betting News Roundup: California's Political Maneuvers, Legalization of Remote Registration in Iowa, and More Updates
🔥 Here's the lowdown on the exciting world of sports betting in a nutshell! Get ready for a thrilling ride through this week's top US sports betting news. Don't forget to check out this week's Wild World of Gambling at US Bets!
Shakeups in California's Political Scene
California's Indian tribes are collecting signatures for a sports betting referendum in 2022, but with the recent political shifts, lawmakers might try for their own referendum. Last year, Sen. Bill Dodd and Rep. Adam Gray attempted to push through a referendum allowing statewide mobile betting and retail wagering at tribal casinos, horse racetracks, and card rooms. However, it was withdrawn due to tribal opposition[1].
The tribal initiative includes retail sports betting exclusively at tribal locations and horse racetracks, leaving card rooms out[1]. Since June, there have been significant changes in the political landscape, which may impact future gaming legislation[1]. Jim Frazier will replace Gray at the Government Oversight Committee in 2020, but it's uncertain if he'll advocate for expanded wagering like Gray did[1].
Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who's been less favorable toward card rooms, may step down if confirmed for Health and Human Services in the Biden administration. The card rooms' champion, Kamala Harris, became Biden's running mate, leaving the card rooms with fewer allies[1].
Iowa's Leap into Digital Wagering
When Iowa legalized statewide mobile sports betting in 2018, bettors initially had to register at brick-and-mortar casinos for 18 months. As of New Year's Eve, remote registration became possible[2]. This change could attract more business, as demonstrated in neighboring Illinois, where online registration was allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in increased handle and revenue[2].
🔔 Starting midnight on Dec 31st, register for sports betting online or on your computer in #Iowa! Check out this week's action in the Hawkeye State involving @WilliamHillUS, @DKSportsbook, and @FDSportsbook for 2021 [#SportsBetting][#SportsBiz][#DraftKings][#FanDuel][#WilliamHill]https://t.co/Aq0NhXMyLv
- Chris Altruda (@AlTruda73) Dec 31, 2020
Additional News Highlights
- College football provided joy and revenue but raised questions: [NYT Magazine]
- Sports betting bill filed in sunny Florida but excludes Seminoles: [SH]
- The NFL will add a 17th regular-season week in 2021: [ProFootballTalk]
- Nevada books broke another record for November handle: [USBets]
- Richmond opens RFP for city's casino project: [TimesDispatch]
- Federal judge will review NJ horsemen vs sports leagues: [NJOG]
- New Hampshire continues to rake in sports betting revenue: [Twitter - @GovChrisSununu]
- VSiN extends its reach through new deal with iHeartRadio: [CDCGaming]
- DK backing off on promos in Pennsylvania?: [PennBets]
- Bids to implode Trump Tower in Atlantic City have reached $175,000: [PAC]
- Dave Portnoy and Darren Rovell get into another Twitter spat over charitable donations: [Twitter - @jeffedelstein]
- RSI becomes the latest sports betting company to go public via SPAC: [CDCGaming]
- Is the pandemic prompting more betting?: [IndyStar]
- The last greyhound race in Florida took place on New Year's Eve: [NBCNews]
🥳🥳 Happy New Year 2021! Let the betting games begin!
- Highlighting the political landscape shifts in California, Jim Frazier is set to replace Rep. Adam Gray at the Government Oversight Committee in 2020, but it's unclear if he'll push for expanded wagering like Gray did, as the tribal mandate for sports betting now includes retail sports betting exclusively at tribal locations and horse racetracks, leaving card rooms out.
- In a move to attract more business, Iowa now allows remote registration for statewide mobile sports betting, following the example set by neighboring Illinois where online registration was allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in increased handle and revenue.
- Sports betting enthusiasts in Iowa can now register for sports betting online or on their computer, starting from midnight on December 31st, with popular sportsbooks like William Hill US, DK Sportsbook, and FD Sportsbook available for 2021.
- Amidst the world of sports betting, the NFL will add a 17th regular-season week in 2021, while New Hampshire continues to generate sports betting revenue and Richmond opens RFP for the city's casino project.
- Nevada books reported another record for November handle, VSiN extended its reach through a new deal with iHeartRadio, and RSI became the latest sports betting company to go public via SPAC, all these news highlights underline the growing and exciting world of sports betting.
