Sports Betting Update: Florida's Verbal Quarrels, Ohio's Ineffective Decisions, Canada's Involvement, and Global Impacts!
In this wild blue ball we call Earth, it's a struggle to keep up with all the happenings. Here's a rundown of the top U.S. sports betting stories from the past week, featuring some fresh news, key developments, and a bit of clarification on Florida's mobile sports betting landscape.
Flip the Switch: DraftKings and FanDuel Lead the Charge in Florida
The race is on, and DraftKings and FanDuel are gambling big to shake up Florida's mobile sports betting market. The duo aims to collect nearly a million signatures to secure a ballot initiative, aiming to crack open the market from the Seminole Tribe's tentative monopoly.
The political action committee Florida Education Champions will carry the torch for the initiative, led by David Johnson, a Republican political consultant, and his wife Christina, president of On 3 Public Relations, serving as the group's spokesperson.
"Yeah, those entities [DraftKings and FanDuel] are backing this effort," admitted Christina Johnson, acknowledging their investment in amending the state constitution. The Florida Education Champions will be gathering donors who supported expanding sports betting in Florida without raising taxes.
Sporting a well-funded opponent, the Seminole Tribe, who's currently awaiting approval of its newly negotiated tribal-state compact, brokered by Governor Ron DeSantis. The compact and accompanying legislation that surfaced during the legislature's special session in May essentially locks down a Seminole Tribe monopoly on sports betting, or any other players will need to play by the Tribe's rules, on their servers, and at a cost. The U.S. Department of the Interior is now weighing in, examining whether the compact conforms with federal law, namely the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1987.
The PAC has already taken a step forward, with the Florida Division of Elections approving the committee's request to be assigned an official serial number for ballot placement, marking the beginning of the petition collection process. The champions are setting their sights on generating substantial revenue for Florida's schools, without raising taxes.
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Washington Market Taking Shape
As Washington State regulators continue developing sports betting rules, major operators are looking to plant their flags. So far, BetFred, BetMGM, Caesars (through American Wagering), and Rush Street Interactive have filed "pre-licensing investigation applications" ahead of the actual application process.
Washington State has 29 tribal casinos, and so far, 15 of the tribes that run casinos have signed new compacts to include sports betting with the state. Suppliers and vendors including geofencing company GeoComply, data provider Sportradar, platform providers IGT and Scientific Games, and integrity monitoring shop U.S. Integrity have also submitted their pre-licensing packets.
The WSGC meets again on July 8, and it opened its draft rules for public comment on June 23.
First Phase of Wyoming Rules Near Completion
The Wyoming Gaming Commission has filed a "Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules" for its new sports betting regulations, tentatively set for approval at its July 9 regular meeting. Regulators are aiming for a football-season launch for operators.
The first package of proposed rules does not include the application process but reassures operators that they will streamline the process for a smoother start.
Wyoming lawmakers and regulators have been gunning for a swift launch, pointing to a fall kickoff for operators. Should Wyoming be able to launch operators by the first day of the NFL season, Sept. 9, it would mark only the third time a state has been able to go from legal to live in about five months or less.
More of the Most Important, Interesting Stories
New Hampshire lawmakers agree on legislation permitting in-play sports betting at retail sportsbook locations operated by DraftKings on behalf of the state lottery.
South Dakota regulators prepare to adopt sports betting regulations.
Ahead of the game: Sports betting not yet legal in Kansas, but Bally's partners with Boot Hill Casino.
ACC eyeing potential impact of legalized sports gambling.
D.C. Council astounded by GamBetDC's shockingly low revenue.
North Bay tribes in California back sports betting initiative.
SCOTUS rules against NCAA on compensation.
Sporttrade Inc. raises $36 million to fuel its betting exchange platform.
JP Morgan buys a stake in Robert Kraft's data company.
Enjoy your weekend, sports fans! The race for Florida's mobile sports betting market heats up as DraftKings and FanDuel aim to challenge the Seminole Tribe's monopoly. Meanwhile, Wyoming and Washington State continue shaping their markets, and major operators plant their flags. Keep an eye on those petition drives and get ready for some exciting developments.
- Floridians are witnessing a race in the mobile sports betting market, as DraftKings and FanDuel are investing to challenge the Seminole Tribe's monopoly, utilizing a ballot initiative backed by the Florida Education Champions.
- The Florida Education Champions, led by David Johnson and Christina Johnson, aim to gather donors who supported expanding sports betting in Florida without raising taxes, hoping to amend the state constitution and crack open the market.
- The Seminole Tribe, currently awaiting approval of its newly negotiated tribal-state compact, is a well-funded opponent, potentially locking down a monopoly on sports betting in Florida, as per the compact and accompanying legislation.
- The Florida Division of Elections has approved the Florida Education Champions' request for a serial number for ballot placement, marking the beginning of the petition collection process, with the aim of generating substantial revenue for Florida's schools.
- Several major operators, including BetFred, BetMGM, Caesars, Rush Street Interactive, and various suppliers and vendors, are looking to plant their flags in Washington State's emerging sports betting market, as regulators continue developing rules for the industry.
