Each Wednesday, I provide my thoughts in short-form audio on a topic in the US gambling industry.
A remarkable thing happened on Tuesday. Thirty-four states spanning the political spectrum agreed on one thing: Kalshi should be stopped from offering sports betting. I touch on just how wild that is and what the states are arguing in today’s podcast.
Gambling news roundup
DraftKings bets on politics (Politico): “Sports betting powerhouse DraftKings is jumping into electoral politics with a new corporate PAC. The DraftKings PAC will be led by the platform’s senior director of federal affairs, Lauren Pfingstag Vahey, and senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Griffin Finan. DraftKings is one of the first major sports betting platforms to start a corporate PAC. Fantasy sports company PrizePicks started a PAC in 2023, and prominent casinos like MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment as well as the American Gaming Association — which DraftKings belongs to — also have their own federal PACs.”
Kalshi Is Still Marketing Itself as 'Betting' (Event Horizon): “Guess what: Kalshi is still telling everyone it’s a place where you bet. Recent Instagram ads from the prediction markets platform show that it is still not distancing itself from betting terminology.”
If you want a good, succinct rundown of all the amicus briefs filed yesterday in the Kalshi vs. New Jersey federal case, SBC Americas has you covered.
Betting on Geopolitical Violence (Imperfect Information): “Millions are currently being wagered on whether Iran will face US military action, a coup attempt, or a major cyberattack, and on whether there will be a strike on Israel's Dimonah nuclear base. These are markets in which those with inside information (including state actors) can make a lot of money without risk of exposure, since the exchange is crypto-based and doesn’t have a know-your-client requirement. The insiders don’t have to be primary decision makers, they just need to have access to closely-held information. And they can trade on impending announcements that will move markets, even if these statements are later withdrawn and threatened actions fail to materialize. We have seen this already with repeated announcements and reversals concerning tariff policy.”
MLB’s baseball is behaving differently again, but no one seems to know why (The Athletic): “Something’s up with the baseball. Again. Deep flies aren’t flying as far this year in Major League Baseball, and the league office is acknowledging as much. A review by The Athletic of MLB’s publicly available data shows there has been more drag on the ball in 2025 than in any of the other nine seasons that MLB has tracked it. As a result, equally hard-hit fly balls are coming up 4 feet short, on average.”
Why is this in a gambling news roundup, you may ask? Well, this seems like a pretty core “integrity of the game” issue, and the fact that MLB itself kind of shrugs its shoulders is crazy. For years, baseball has warned that sports betting is the biggest threat to integrity. So when a clear integrity issue arises, I’d expect a stronger reaction.
Which sweepstakes operators got C&D’s from Louisiana? (Sports Betting Dime): This is the only place where I’ve seen a full list of operators who were told to leave the state for offering illegal gambling. There are a lot of offshore sportsbooks and casinos that were given cease-and-desist notices like Bovada, BetUS, BookMaker and others. Notable sweeps companies/brands on the list included VGW (Chumba Casino et al), Fliff, Funzpoints and Blazesoft.
Meanwhile, in New York, both sweeps trade groups lobbied against the bill the legislature passed to ban sweepstakes gaming:
Social Gaming Leadership Alliance Executive Director Jeff Duncan said: "By advancing legislation that was drafted based on fundamental misunderstanding of our industry and aggressively promoted by stakeholders with a competitive interest in shutting down these platforms, New York residents could lose access to popular, free-to-play online games enjoyed by millions. Of particular concern, the discretionary powers handed to the Gaming Commission under this bill could restrict use of a popular marketing tool, hurting businesses and the New York economy in ways lawmakers did not intend. Legislators raised legitimate questions about how this law would be enforced, whether federal law takes priority, and potential unintended consequences for widespread promotional activities – questions that remain unanswered because the bill was rushed through too quickly. By blurring the line between lawful sweepstakes promotions and illegal gambling, this legislation threatens a vibrant digital-entertainment sector while offering players no safer alternatives.”
“The Social and Promotional Games Association strongly urges Governor Kathy Hochul to veto SB5925, a shortsighted bill that threatens to kill investment, stifle innovation, and undermine New York's position as a national leader for tech and digital entertainment. ‘This bill doesn’t just target sweepstakes, it sends a chilling message to anyone looking to invest in the next generation of gaming innovation,’ said a spokesperson for the SPGA. ‘Nearly every form of online gaming we know today, including companies like FanDuel, a New York-based success story, began as pre-regulated concepts. This legislation criminalizes that innovation cycle.’”
Gov. Jeff Landry signs bill to raise sports betting tax, will alleviate universities' revenue-sharing costs (WBRZ): “Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill on Tuesday that will raise the state's sports betting tax to help offset the cost of colleges' revenue sharing with athletes. Just over a week ago, a federal judge approved a $2.8 billion settlement that allows colleges to start directly paying athletes through revenue sharing. The bill signed Tuesday raises the state's sports betting tax from 15 to 21.5 percent. … A fourth of the revenue will be divided evenly among the state's 11 Division I public universities. The money is intended for the ‘benefit of student athletes,’ according to the law, which covers ‘scholarships, insurance, medical coverage, facility enhancements, litigation settlement fees and Alston awards.’ Most of the rest goes to the state's general fund."
Maine Lawmakers Approve iGaming, Yet Veto Possibility Exists (Sports Betting Dime): “Maine lawmakers brought an iGaming bill back from the dead last month and ushered it through the final legal stages last night. The Maine House and Senate approved LD 1164, a bill to legalize iGaming for the four tribes of the Wabanaki Nations, after the legislation had been shelved before the state’s legislative session was adjourned on March 20. However, several reports are claiming Gov. Janet Mills (D) may exercise her rights to veto the bill.”
WNBA’s Chicago Sky teams up with bet365 (press release): “Today, the WNBA’s Chicago Sky announced a multi-year partnership with bet365, making the leading sports betting brand the ‘Official Sports Betting Partner of the Chicago Sky.’ The multi-faceted marketing agreement includes a variety of branding elements including the bet365 logo presence behind the basket on the north end of the court, along with the center pole pad on both home and visiting team baskets. Additionally, bet365 will receive logo inclusion on in-arena, social media, broadcast, and digital promotional marketing products and materials.”
“Our partnership with the Chicago Sky has us floating on cloud nine and is the perfect opportunity for our expansion into the WNBA,” said a bet365 spokesperson. “We can’t wait to share our Never Ordinary betting experience with Sky fans.”
“The Chicago Sky are thrilled to partner with bet365 to align with a growing sports trend that brings new visibility to the WNBA and the Chicago Sky,” Alex Teodosi, Chicago Sky’s Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, said. “We look forward to bringing great new sports betting opportunities to Sky fans, while always encouraging responsible betting and positivity towards our players.”
Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting from FanDuel
Trusted Voices: Conversations About Betting is designed to equip adults, including parents and coaches, with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, including information on warning signs, risks and proxy betting. The program is led by retired professional basketball player Randy Livingston and his wife, basketball agent Anita Smith, who share their personal stories related to problem gambling, with the hope of preventing others from experiencing similar harms. Learn more and join the conversation here.
The Richest Men In Illinois And The Billion-Dollar Sports Betting Grudge (Legal Sports Report): “Illinois politicians seem to be making life a little more difficult for all licensed operators as the byproduct of trying to make things extra difficult for FanDuel and DraftKings specifically. The Sports Betting Alliance called the policy ‘discriminatory, punitive and constitutionally suspect.’ The targeted nature of the tax increase might violate the Equal Protection Clause given the obvious intent to burden two particular companies. The new provision may be especially vulnerable to challenge as a bill of attainder, a piece of legislation that punishes specific entities without due process.”
FanDuel Sportsbook at the Phoenix Suns arena will cease gaming operations (AZ Central): “The FanDuel Sportsbook lounge inside PHX Arena will become a lounge and will cease sportsbook operations as of July 24, less than four years after it opened on the first day of legalized sports gambling in Arizona. The 7,400 square-foot sportsbook, billed as the first inside an NBA arena when it opened in September 2021, featured five betting windows, 26 kiosks, 40 TVs, an outdoor terrace and a full-service bar and menu.”
FanDuel names Arts & Letters its lead creative agency (Ad Age, paywall): “Arts & Letters Creative Co. is backing a different horse in the sports betting arena, taking over as lead creative agency for industry stalwart FanDuel after helping launch a challenger brand, ESPN Bet.”
Casey Hurbis talks BetMGM’s place in sports betting (SBJ): “BetMGM CMO Casey Hurbis joins SBJ’s Austin Karp to discuss the growth of BetMGM and it’s place in the sports betting industry. Hurbis also explains the how the results of both the Super Bowl and March Madness impacted the business of BetMGM in the first half of the year. Finally, Hurbis lays out BetMGM’s plan with women’s sports moving forward.”
Many Sports Betting Marketing Deals Will Expire Soon — And They’re Worth a Lot Less Now (InGame): “Cast your mind back to 2020 and 2021, in the early days of legal sports betting in the U.S. Desperate to reach customers as markets opened, sportsbooks raced to sign deals with media and sports teams. Most of those deals were five-year agreements. That means many are set to expire within the next year or so, unless they’re renegotiated.”
ICE arrests 55 illegal aliens in Blount County for cockfighting, illegal gambling (1819): “The Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, conducted a joint operation on Friday targeting a cockfighting ring in Blount County. The multiagency team executed search warrants related to the prohibition of animal fighting ventures, presence of illegal aliens and the prohibition of illegal gambling. Results of the operation include: 60 people arrested, 55 illegal aliens, five U.S. citizens.”
Alberta Eyeing ‘Early’ 2026 for New Sports Betting, iGaming Market, Minister Says (Covers): “It’s possible Albertans could wager on next year’s Super Bowl with DraftKings, FanDuel, or some other private-sector operator not yet available in the province. That, at least, was the impression Alberta’s de facto iGaming minister, Dale Nally, gave during remarks at the Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto Wednesday. Nally told his audience Alberta's government must settle questions about advertising and tax rates, which it plans to do in the fall. Once it answers those, though, a competitive iGaming market launch in the Western Canadian province will be within reach.”
“In terms of timeframes, I can’t give you a month, but I can tell you early next year we’re going to be cutting the ribbon on our iGaming Alberta and we’re very excited to be able to offer that,” Nally said. “We’re going to have more to share with you in the near future.”
Inspired Entertainment and BetMGM Launch Hybrid Dealer® Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet (press release): “Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading provider of B2B gaming content, systems, and solutions, is pleased to announce that BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, is the first in the United States to introduce the innovative Hybrid Dealer Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet game, under a three-month exclusive agreement. Inspired’s Roulette 4-Ball Extra Bet is an integral part of the Hybrid Dealer portfolio, blending original game design with patented technology to create an innovative roulette experience. This game introduces a unique twist—4-Ball Extra Bets—offering players brand new wagering options with potential payouts reaching up to 500/1.”
Maverick Games Launches with Delasport’s Sportsbook in Ontario (press release): “Maverick Games will offer Ontarian players a premium sports betting experience, built on Delasport’s superior technology and known for its unique innovative features that players love including personalization, recommendations, gamifications, quick bets, player engagement features and more. Maverick Games is the second brand to launch on Delasport’s technology in Ontario, with another full turnkey brand set to go live soon. Delasport recently unveiled its innovative sports betting jackpot network game, SuperPot.”
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