DraftKings, one of the leading digital sports betting companies in the U.S., recently contributed $3.5 million to a campaign supporting a digital sports betting initiative in Missouri. This initiative, which has been approved for the ballot, aims to allow statewide digital wagering with platforms tethered to existing casinos and professional sports venues. While digital betting companies and the state’s professional sports teams support the proposal, it does not have full backing from the state’s physical casinos.
On the other hand, hopes for legalizing digital sports betting in Nebraska were dashed as lawmakers adjourned without reaching a decision on the matter. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen had sought property tax relief during the session, but the bills that would have facilitated this relief were not passed. This leaves Nebraska as one of the states that have not yet approved sports betting or online casinos in 2024.
Recent studies have shown that excessive gambling can have negative effects on individuals’ financial health. Researchers found that online gamblers are diverting money away from long-term investments towards sports betting, potentially leading to financial instability. Despite the availability of responsible gaming tools, a significant percentage of bettors admitted that they may wager more than they can afford.
In the sports landscape, the Southeastern Conference is considering introducing injury reports due to the legalization of sports betting in many of its member-school states. This move is supported by prominent coaches such as Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. Additionally, the NFL has announced that it will increase efforts to monitor suspicious betting activities by having investigators present at games to detect anomalies that could indicate misconduct.
Genting, the owner of Resorts World Las Vegas, responded to charges from the Nevada Gaming Control Board regarding violations of anti-money laundering rules and failure to report illegal gambling activities at the property. The company stated that it takes any allegations of violations seriously and is committed to addressing operational issues at the resort.
Despite a decline in retail casino revenue in some jurisdictions, online gambling and digital sports betting saw positive growth in states like Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in July. Michigan reported a 3.2 percent increase in AGR for online gambling and sports betting, while New Jersey and Pennsylvania also saw growth in their digital channels compared to the previous year.
In other news, the Portland City Council in Maine approved a liquor license for a proposed sports bar and sportsbook, which would be the state’s first in-person wagering location. PrizePicks announced a partnership with comedian Drew “Druski” Desbordes as a brand ambassador, while Alberta Gaming Liquor & Cannabis launched a new responsible gaming tool called the GameSense Info Line to promote safe gambling practices.
