It was another news-filled week in the world of gambling.
In this installment of the weekly roundup from US Bets, we’re giving you a rundown of some of the more interesting new nuggets from the world of sports betting and beyond.
Also be sure to check out Sports Handle for its weekly news recap, “Get a Grip.”
Adelson lobbying for casinos (and sports betting) in TX?
The Lone Star State is one of the largest untapped sports betting markets in the country. It has long been a state unfriendly to the commercial casino industry, but that might be changing due to lobbying spending by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Legislation was filed this month to allow Las Vegas-style casinos.
Sheldon Adelson of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation gave $2.5 million to the Republican State Leadership Committee PAC. Dr. Miriam Adelson also contributed $2 million. Observers suspect the Adelsons may be greasing the wheels with lawmakers to legalize casinos in Texas. #txlege pic.twitter.com/IKDzFkp2hJ
— Transparency USA (@Transparency_US) November 20, 2020
Indiana Gaming Commission could revoke casino license
Problems for Spectacle Entertainment don’t appear to be going away anytime soon, with reports saying that regulators with the Indiana Gaming Commission have expanded their investigation into the casino developer who is in the midst of building a new casino near Chicago.
At least 10 people are now under investigation by Indiana gaming regulators. https://t.co/zZx6RInE3e
— IndyStar (@indystar) November 24, 2020
Poker organizer fined over home game during pandemic
A poker game up north in Canada became the target of authorities for not adhering to local COVID-19 restrictions. The $3,000 fine is not a fun hit to the player’s bankroll, but he should have ended the game.
One Kamloops gambler didn't know when to fold 'em.
A 37-year-old man has been fined more than $3,000 for refusing to quickly shut down a poker game that ran past midnight Thursday, which is when province-wide restrictions on gatherings came into effect. https://t.co/EkFgCIeuy2 pic.twitter.com/4vS4zCOGPn
— NEWS 1130 (@NEWS1130) November 21, 2020
Nice holiday gesture from top sportsbook operator
One of the leading mobile sportsbooks in the country is giving back based on the outcome of a celebrity golf match. It’s a nice move as many Americans are struggling with the fallout of the pandemic.
.@DraftKings is donating 100,000 meals to Feeding America for every birdie made during today's match between Peyton Manning-Stephen Curry vs. Phil Mickelson-Charles Barkley. DraftKings has pledged to donate a minimum of 1 million meals regardless.
Manning-Curry are -175 favs.
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) November 27, 2020
Man charged in 1930s-esque casino heist
A local prosecutor in Atlantic City said this alleged crime reminded him of the old mob days.
Describing it as “something out of the 1930s,” authorities say a former guard and two others stole more than $1.7 million from an armored car parked outside an Atlantic City casino.https://t.co/Oux0Pcrl6w
— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) November 27, 2020
Virginia covers in brutal bad beat
There probably aren’t too many bettors out there who took Abilene Christian +39.5, but condolences to those who did in what many analysts are saying was one of the craziest beats they’ve ever seen.
I've seen a lot of Bad Beats from @notthefakeSVP and @StanfordSteve82, but that Abilene Christian-Virginia one was something else.
Enjoy.pic.twitter.com/zy6SYpRVPA
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) November 24, 2020
Nevada sets new record in handle
New Jersey is still far ahead of Nevada on sports betting, but the Silver State blew past its previous record with $659 million in handle last month, besting a $614 million handle seen last year.
Nevada sportsbooks handled over $659 million in October, a new single-month record and a 20% increase year-over-year. @brianpempus on the huge month and how it compares to New Jersey and Pennsylvania: https://t.co/M1ADRK4M0S pic.twitter.com/YioHCgtK7D
— US Bets (@US_Bets) November 24, 2020
