The Current: The Scourge Of Legal Sports Betting Right Now Is Globe Newswire
Gambling news roundup: More cease-and-desists in Michigan; analysts bullish on DraftKings; Caesars launches first proprietary online casino game.
Quick note: I’ll be at SBC in Florida this week; feel free to email me here, find me on LinkedIn, fill out the contact form on my site, etc., if you want to meet. I’m also moderating a panel on Thursday at 11 am:
When you read “scourge” in the subject line, I know most of you were shocked “Kalshi” didn’t appear next.
I noticed this trend mostly because I read/scan/click through to a lot of gambling content so you don’t have to.
GlobeNewswire — which is sometimes used as a legitimate way of distributing news into the world — is also being used to help offshore sportsbooks and casinos with trust in search, generate backlinks and aid customer acquisition with Astroturfed “news.”
Here are a few examples I saw this week:
Closing Line Consulting
Niche research and analysis? Startup advice? Help with your content? I have a consultancy to help clients in gaming and beyond. Learn more about CLC here.
Want to be a sponsor of this newsletter? Email dustin@closinglineconsulting.com.
There have been dozens of these press releases in recent weeks, telling people the best options to bet on sportsbooks and online casinos in the US and in various states. And we’re sure to see more. You’re going to be shocked* to learn some of these facts (*not shocked):
Bovada, BetOnline, etc. are not operating legally in any of these states.
They are claiming to be the best option in states that have no legal sports betting (Georgia) and that do (Connecticut).
No one is “picking” these sportsbooks as the best ones in these states other than whatever content mill is doing all of these “news releases” on behalf of the sportsbooks.
Lest you think this is harmless, sometimes it gets republished on other outlets, like Yahoo Finance.
In any event, this is a great reminder that if you think your state doesn’t have sports betting because it’s “banned,” the offshore sportsbooks are mostly laughing at you. And also a reminder that not all press releases are created equal in today’s world, when you can use them to spread misinformation by pretending it’s news.
Gambling news roundup
Michigan Gaming Control Board issues cease-and-desist orders to four illegal online gambling operators (press release): “The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist orders to four unlicensed online gambling operators — You Wager, Bet Pop Casino, Wager 7, and Discount Wager — for offering illegal gambling services to Michigan residents. These platforms are in violation of Michigan’s Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act, and the Michigan Penal Code.”
Still no Kalshi, just sayin’…
Analysts Remain Bullish On DraftKings Stock Despite Lower Guidance (Legal Sports Report): “Slowing sports betting handle growth, competition from prediction markets and the recent customer-friendly results have investors talking, but the confidence in the commentary from operators like DraftKings and FanDuel parent Flutter gives Barry Jonas of Truist “comfort in the digital operators’ [long-term] growth trajectory,” he said in his post-earnings note.
Jonas adjusted his 2025 estimates to reflect the new midpoint but did not change his 2026 projections, buy rating, or $50 target. Jeffrey Stantial of Stifel offered a similar read, maintaining his buy and $53 target, though he lowered his 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance slightly as well. Stantial noted the company’s compelling free cash flow trajectory, tendency to beat estimates and continued execution on product all as reasons why he rates the stock at buy.”
Chiefs Superfan To Serve 32 Years in Prison For Bank Robbery Spree (Sports Betting Dime): “Chiefs superfan Xaviar Michael Babudar, known as ‘ChiefsAholic’ on social media who was recognized on game days for the full wolf costume he would wear to Chiefs games, was sentenced to an additional 14.5 years in prison for a bank robbery spree that spanned several years. … Babudar placed several large bets on the Chiefs during his bank robbery spree, mostly at brick-and-mortar casinos. Missouri sports betting was not yet legal during his activity, so Babudar was forced to cross the border into Kansas to place his bets.”
Almost 700 Legal Sports Betting Venues Have Opened in Peru Since Start of 2025 (Casino Beats): “Almost 700 sports betting firms have received permits allowing them to operate in Peru since December last year, the nation’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism has confirmed. The media outlet Infobae reported that the ministry has vowed to turn the country into a regional leader in the regulated gambling sector. It claims that its drive is helping promote responsible gaming via ‘a modern regulatory framework that seeks to protect consumers, ensure transparency, and foster formal economic development.’”
Caesars Entertainment Debuts its First Proprietary Online Casino Game (press release): Caesars Entertainment, Inc. today announced the launch of its first proprietary online casino game, Caesars Palace Signature Multihand Blackjack Surrender, now live exclusively on Caesars Palace Online Casino in New Jersey. Developed by the Company’s recently established in-house games studio, Empire Creative™, this new and exciting release offers an innovative and highly customizable player experience, combining cutting-edge features, adaptive game modes, and a brand-forward aesthetic for Caesars’ most iconic gaming brands. This launch marks Caesars’ first venture into developing, certifying, and launching fully proprietary online casino games. As 2025 advances, Empire Creative™ will continue to expand Caesars’ impressive portfolio of Signature table game products across Caesars’ marquee online casino platforms. ‘Bringing our first proprietary game to market is a major milestone in our mission to create world-class, in-house developed gaming content,’ said Matt Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital. ‘We’re excited to continuously expand our in-house content offerings, complementing the excellent portfolio of games we’ve secured through external providers. This launch showcases the strength of our new in-house studio team and underscores our commitment to player-centric innovation, creating experiences that cater to a wide variety of preferences and playstyles.’”
