California tribal leaders poured cold water on the idea that they would try to legalize online sports betting in 2026 at a conference in Europe. So where does that leave sports betting expansion here and in the rest of the US?
More from iGB here on what was said. And scroll down for a busy day in gambling news.
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Gambling news roundup today
Kalshi is set to launch NFL, Super Bowl betting (Front Office Sports): The prediction markets platform has filed a notice with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission that it will be launching sports contracts tomorrow. (Notice to CFTC here.) It follows Crypto.com into sports events trading, despite the fact that the CFTC (under the outgoing Biden administration) asked the markets to be taken down. Meanwhile, the new acting head of the CFTC has a positive view of political election contracts. From Kalshi’s site, it looks like markets for the Super Bowl and NFC and AFC title games will be posted tomorrow morning:
Virginia online casinos bill dead until 2026 (SBC Americas): You want some more bad news after California? “Bill sponsor and Virginia Delegate Marcus Simon said Tuesday’s brief hearing was a victory even though the end result was an effective punt on the effort to legalize online casinos until next year. The bill was “gently tabled” and the committee will ask its work group to investigate the issue.” Much of what we’re seeing in legislation for online casinos is likely to be stage-setting for the future, like we saw here.
NY online casino bill surfaces, and seeks to close sweepstakes “loophole” (SBC Americas): “Sen. Joseph Addabbo has once again introduced his bill in the New York Senate to legalize and regulate online casinos in the Empire State. It would also legalize online lottery sales and games. The language is virtually identical to last year’s effort. The four downstate casinos, the forthcoming upstate casinos, tribal casinos, VLT parlors and online sports betting operators would all be eligible to obtain an online casino license. There would also be three licenses up for grabs via a competitive bidding process.” The odds of an NY online casino bill passing seem long, as they have in years past, but new revenue vis a vis a state budget deficit could get it into the conversation.
Addabbo also took a stance that sweepstakes casinos should be regulated in the state; more from the senator’s site: “One of my primary objectives as Gaming chair is ensuring New Yorkers are protected from gambling operations that have the potential of becoming more problematic without proper legislative action, such as unregulated sweepstakes casino operators,” stated Addabbo. “Many sweepstakes' operators are located offshore making enforcement limited or impossible, and our most vulnerable populations, youth and elderly, are most often targeted, which is why I want to act to address this existing loophole,” Addabbo added. The sweepstakes industry likely would take issue with the description of its current status and the “offshore” designation.
ND House kills resolution looking to put sports betting on the ballot (KFYR): “House lawmakers voted to kill a resolution that would have put the legalization of sports betting on the ballot in 2026. It failed in a 24-to-70 vote. The House Judiciary Committee recommended not passing it.”
Connecticut lawmaker wants sports betting on planes to take off (SBC Americas): “A new bill introduced in the Connecticut legislature wants to take sports betting sky high. State Rep. Christopher Rosario introduced HB6051, which would allow for in-flight betting on commercial flights originating out of Connecticut airports.” A push to legalize in-flight betting seems pretty goofy to me. Even if this was legal under federal law, there are so many problems to address. You need WiFi to bet; airline internet is better than it used to be, but it can still be spotty. Are you giving internet access to everyone with a sportsbook account, or are you expecting them to buy it? If you have live sports broadcasts on board the flights, maybe you have something, but then you start bringing up possible responsible gambling issues. (People sitting on their phones firing away bets on Lakers-Celtics for a couple of hours in seat 34E seems like a problem waiting to happen.) None of it makes it worth the squeeze for a sportsbook operator, in my opinion.
Bovada Restricts Access in New Hampshire (Sports Betting Dime): “Live free or die…unless you want to use Bovada in New Hampshire. The unregulated gaming company officially added the Granite State to its restricted list, now blocking access in 17 states across the country, as well as Washington, D.C.”
Responsible Online Gaming Association to Launch RFP for Certification Program (PR): “The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent association consisting of eight of the largest U.S. online gaming companies, announced the launch today of a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to develop and deliver a comprehensive certification program that will support operators’ continued commitment to robust responsible gaming standards that help protect players and keep gaming fun and recreational.”
Gambling newsletter roundup
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