Despite the best efforts of special interests (Sheldon Adelson) and the Department of Justice, online gambling and sports betting continue to expand across America. This week we look at how that expansion is not just in the the regulatory arena from state to state, but also on the business side of things. Professional sports leagues are partnering with gambling companies, and most recently television networks like ESPN and Fox Sports are expanding their programming to cash in on our industry. This week’s special offer is for the Royal Panda casino.

Last week, a pair of bills to regulate online gambling in Michigan were put forth. Last year, the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act was vetoed at the last minute by departing Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican. Leadership has changed with the election of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat. The measure in the Senate, SB 186, is sponsored by Sen. Curtis Hertel, a Democrat. In the House, Rep. Brandt Iden, a Republican, is behind the proposal HB 4311. Iden spearheaded the legislation for the last two years. The continued bipartisan nature of the efforts is good news. In 2018, the Lawful…

The US Justice Department Sued over Wire Act Opinion by  iDEA Growth Trade Group An online gaming association known as iDEA Growth has become the latest organization to legally challenge to the Department of Justice about their revised opinion on the Federal Wire Act. In January, the revised opinion was issued following a request from the DOJ’s Criminal Division to reconsider the 2011 opinion on the Wire Act. That ruling had paved the way for the roll-out of online gambling in a number of US states. Under the revised opinion, the Wire Act would prohibit all forms of gambling, and…

A Caesars DraftKings online gambling agreement has been reached which will give the fantasy sports provider access to the markets in several states. The deal lets DraftKings offer its online gambling products in “certain states” in which Caesars operates, but the companies did not specify which ones. DraftKings will promote Caesars Entertainment as its official casino-resort partner in the states where the companies collaborate, and Caesars Entertainment will receive equity in DraftKings. Caesars can also continue to offer their own branded sports betting and online casino apps in each of these jurisdictions. Mark Frissora, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment,…

How is online gambling tied to dark money? And how is it connected to the Department of Justice opinion for Internet betting? That decision to change their position on the Federal Wire Act has took many by surprise… and that decision has come under increasing scrutiny over the weeks. Their about-face has jeopardize the regulated online gambling industry in America, along with poker and sports betting. But perhaps even more significantly (from a legal perspective) is how the changing opinion affects states Internet lottery sales and horse racing. Now, a suspicious connection is making gambling news headlines, and has been…

Former State Senator Mike Kowall has predicted Michigan online gambling will be legalized in the state, despite outgoing governor Rick Snyder vetoing legislation for each vertical. Snyder refused to sign the gaming bills which were passed by the Michigan House and Senate during the final legislative session of 2018. However, Republican Kowall, who served as Michigan Senate Majority Leader until this earlier month, and sponsored the versions of Brandt Iden’s House Bills in the legislative chamber, says despite this opposition, he fully expects legislation to pass sooner rather than later. In an opinion piece for The Detroit News, Kowall said…