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.”
Voters make their voices heard
While certain elections at the top of the ticket on Nov. 3 got the lion’s share of the attention, six states presented voters with referendums on gambling expansion, and all six passed. As discussed on Thursday’s Gamble On podcast, this clean sweep might represent a tipping point in terms of normalization of legal sports betting in America. Currently, 20 states offer regulated sports wagering, with another six now having passed legislation. By sometime in 2021, the states that allow the activity will outnumber those that don’t.
Maryland! Louisiana! South Dakota! Colorado! Nebraska! Virginia!
Gaming measures went a perfect 6-for-6 on Tuesday. Jill Dorson reviews each initiative: https://t.co/W9VDXDMliE pic.twitter.com/L7GyMHXFnk
— US Bets (@US_Bets) November 4, 2020
Meanwhile, in that other election …
Wagering on elections is not allowed at regulated U.S. sportsbooks (yet), but it does take place in European and offshore markets. The wild swings seen in Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump odds from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning were expertly summed up by DFS pro Adam Levitan:
Saw some Trump -550 as I went to bed. Wake up to Biden -170. This is like a Falcons game.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) November 4, 2020
$3 million, a frozen account, and a major controversy
SportsHandle’s Matt Rybaltowski broke a huge story on Thursday afternoon, bringing to light accusations of DraftKings Sportsbook in New Jersey permitting an illegal form of betting from out of state. The accusations are coming from the bettor who placed a much-talked-about $3 million parlay wager in October, and the potential implications for DK could be serious. Much more to come on this story that has the betting community buzzing and is now gaining the attention of the mainstream media as well.
VERY big story. DraftKings execs alleged to have knowingly facilitated & encouraged illegal proxy betting for whales. When one started winning, they froze his account and cried foul. If these allegations are true, DK's gaming license could be in jeopardy. https://t.co/qn3BWQX71m
— Rufus (@RufusPeabody) November 5, 2020
‘High Stakes Feud’ underway
Now that Biden vs. Trump is (more or less) over, we can turn our attention to a different mano-a-mano battle: Daniel Negreanu vs. Doug Polk. A 25,000-hand, heads-up poker competition got started in person this week, with the rest to be decided online over the weeks and months ahead. Negreanu is off to a good start, but using a phrase we’ve all heard too many times this week, this one is way “too early to call.”
High Stakes Feud: @RealKidPoker up $116,500 vs @DougPolkVids after first 200 hands!
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) November 5, 2020
Colorado pulls up a seat at the Bar
First, Pennsylvania. Now, Colorado. It isn’t available in mobile form yet, but Barstool Sportsbook opened a brick-and-mortar joint on Thursday at Ameristar Black Hawk, the first in the country to have that Barstool branding.
Barstool Sportsbook opened its first retail outfit on Thursday, going live at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk. @AlTruda73 on the debut: https://t.co/vAbRsrsLKi pic.twitter.com/8MopI6AH8k
— COBets (@BetsColorado) November 6, 2020
Woj bomb: NBA embracing gambling big-time
As information comes out about the NBA starting its upcoming season a few days before Christmas, hoping to play 72 regular season games and not sacrifice as much revenue as would result from a January or February start, the league is leaving no stone unturned in its search for money-making avenues. Enter sports betting and casinos.
The NBA is searching for ways to increase cash flow into teams, and sources said the league is hopeful to expand guidelines on sports betting, hard alcohol and casinos that could generate between $80M and $100M in revenue. https://t.co/TDQIuQONvF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 3, 2020
Vegas casino re-closings begin
With COVID numbers worsening and many casinos struggling to attract customers during the pandemic, it was inevitable that some re-closings would follow this June’s re-openings. Park MGM in Las Vegas, located next to T-Mobile Arena, is the most notable so far, announcing plans to be closed from Mondays at noon to Thursdays at noon starting on Monday, Nov. 9.
Obviously it makes sense that Park MGM would be the first one out for the same set of reasons it was the last one in, whatever they are. It’s not like they were going to start with Bellagio. https://t.co/Wo3y2hVk61
— Jeff Hwang (@RivalSchoolX) November 3, 2020
Foxwoods says, “OK, boomers”
Usually, casinos card customers to see if they’re at least 21. Foxwoods in Connecticut is about to try something different, carding patrons to check if they’re 55 or older. If so, they can play on one gaming floor reserved exclusively for those born in 1965 or earlier. According to Casino.org, a DJ will be spinning ’80s music every night, “and complimentary cocktails for those gambling will be made with Boone’s Farm.” Foxwoods is taking the Vegas trend toward banning kids and going a step (or 34 steps) further, it seems.
Could this be a future trend such as 21+ resorts and non-smoking casinos?
Foxwoods first US casino to offer exclusive gaming floor for 55+ patrons #casinos #gaming #gambling https://t.co/xqUQ3wJnpd
— International Center for Gaming Regulation (@UNLVicgr) November 5, 2020
