Wide World Of Gambling: WSOP Announces COVID Rule, Shaq Signs With Sportsbook, MLB-Barstool ‘Scoop’ Was Exaggerated

It was another wild week in the world of gambling
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Brian served as a senior reporter and online content manager for Card Player Magazine for nearly a decade before joining USBets in October 2018. He is currently focused on legal and regulated sports betting and online gaming. He's an avid jiu-jitsu practitioner in his free time.

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It was another eventful 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 news 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.”

WSOP releases rule that pertains to COVID-19 infections

The 2021 World Series of Poker is still slated to run this fall, despite escalating concerns over the delta variant of COVID-19. Las Vegas is back to mask mandates, but casinos are still open for business. The WSOP released its official tournament rules this week, which contained some language about infections. The WSOP rules stated total authority and the right to remove a player before or during an event based on a positive COVID-19 test. The rule has raised some concerns among poker players.

Trey Wingo lands at Caesars Sportsbook

Sportscaster Trey Wingo, who is arguably best known for his work covering football, left ESPN in November and has now joined the revamped Caesars Sportsbook. He will work as the book’s “chief trends officer.” Caesars has been making moves in recent weeks amid its phasing out the William Hill brand in favor of the U.S.-facing Caesars brand. Other recent moves include a partnership with the Houston Texans and Caesars getting its name on the NFL stadium in New Orleans. Caesars will have an uphill battle against the nationwide handle leaders.

Shaq inks sports betting deal with casino operator

Despite a relationship with PointsBet in Australia, Shaquille O’Neal joined WynnBET this week in an exclusive deal. Looks like WynnBET had the best offer, and it must have been good because Shaq has agreed to sell his reported 2-4% ownership stake in the Sacramento Kings in order to work with the sportsbook. Terms of the deal with the NBA great were not disclosed.

Card counter sues casinos in Missouri for harassment

A lawsuit that could highlight the legality or illegality of card counting in the state of Missouri was filed. The gambler claims that the Ameristar Casino knew he was a card counter and engaged in misconduct to prevent him from playing, including improperly asking for his identification.

Card room closed after allowing sports betting

A card room in San Diego has been shut down. “Today, a San Diego card room is closed because its owner chose to operate outside of California’s laws and allow illegal sports betting operations to be run out of his business,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

Second sports betting initiative filed in California

Another sports betting initiative could be on the table in the Golden State, assuming it gets enough signatures. This one looks like it would pave the way for mobile sportsbooks, not just the retail shops that would be authorized under a different ballot question. California cities are leading the charge for the second ballot question that would seek to allow the card rooms to have involvement. It’s a long shot.

Post story on Barstool, MLB allegedly misleading

Per Sportico, Major League Baseball was left scratching its head after the New York Post ran what was said to be an exaggerated story on discussions between the league and Barstool about a partnership in which Barstool would stream MLB games. “MLB was surprised to read the Post article because the conversations are barely existent,” Sportico reported. “Barstool is believed to have fed the story to the tabloid.”

Former NBA player charged over home poker games

Antonio Burks, who played for the Memphis Grizzlies, was arrested in Tennessee over allegedly running poker games from his residence. Burks was released on $1,000 bond but faces a felony charge related to playing Texas hold’em. No sports betting was involved.

Boxer with -50000 live odds loses controversial decision

Observers called Saturday’s bout between Gabriel Maestre and Mykal Fox one of the most corrupt decisions in recent memory. Fox was a reported -50000 during in-fight betting, but saw the judges give his opponent the win. It’s unlikely that gambling was a factor in the scandal.

PA casino fined for showing patron surveillance video

A Pennsylvania gambler didn’t want to give up his losing $300 bet, so a casino employee showed him the video of what happened to prove he’d lost. The “belligerent” player was permanently banned from the property. The employee wasn’t fired, but the casino was fined $10,000 over the incident.

FanDuel awarded money for opening Atlanta office

Sports gambling operator FanDuel Sportsbook will get some incentives to build a major office in Atlanta despite the state not having sports betting. It is expected that Georgia will eventually legalize the activity.

Louisville nixes Barstool athlete deals over gambling ties

According to the University of Louisville, student-athletes need to cease any commercial arrangements with any facet of Barstool Sports. While gambling wasn’t mentioned explicitly, the school referred to an earlier executive order from the governor outlining the areas of concern for NIL deals.

Photo: Shutterstock

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