In New York, a Widening Rift Over Remote Betting
Sports betting’s point man in the state Assembly says Governor Andrew Cuomo (l.) has changed his mind about the need for a constitutional amendment to allow wagering online and by mobile phone. Cuomo blasted the assertion as “patently false.”
MLB Signs Deal with Sportradar
Major League Baseball and the Switzerland-headquartered Sportradar have signed a “wide-ranging, multi-year partnership” making Sportradar the official global data provider for MLB. Sportradar now has deals with all four major U.S. team sports leagues. The deal gives Sportradar international rights to provide MLB data to international media and sports betting operations. In the U.S., Sportradar will only exclusively provide data to the media.
888 Holdings Acquires Betbright
888 Holdings will acquire Irish sports betting operator BetBright in a deal valued at £15 million or about $19.9 million. The company will purchase certain assets of Dedsert Limited, Dedsert Ireland Limited and its affiliates, which together operate as BetBright. 888 Holdings said the deal gives the company complete ownership of technologies and development across its four online betting services—online casinos, poker, bingo and sports betting.
Adelson’s Cancer Eliminates Court Testimony
After a prolonged absence from his office and proposed testimony in a Las Vegas lawsuit was rejected, Las Vegas Sands Corp. revealed the Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson (l.) is suffering from cancer. As a result, he will be excused from testifying at the third trial in a suit filed by former consultant Richard Suen.
Las Vegas Strip Still a No-No for the NFL
The league isn’t moving off a longstanding policy that bans images of the famed neon way from TV commercials aired during games. Undaunted, one of the city’s top advertising executives promised, “We’ll find ways to get our points across.” And when the Super Bowl is located in Las Vegas, it could have a multi-billion-dollar impact on the city.
Atlantic City’s Ocean Resort Sorts Out Cash Problems
Atlantic City’s Ocean Resort casino has re-stocked its cash reserves and is beginning to turn itself around financially as it awaits new owners, a trustee overseeing the property said. Trustee Eric Matejevich told the Associated Press that the property can meet state-imposed requirements to have at least $36 million on hand at all times.
Genting Stops Funding Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is no longer getting governmental support funds from the company that it partnered with to build the $1 billion First Light Resort and Casino. Nevertheless, the tribe is continuing to pay $500,000 a year to Taunton, its casino host city.
Georgia Casino Bill Requires A Referendum
A Georgia House committee approved a constitutional amendment allowing voters to approve casino gambling. House Speaker David Ralston, Governor Brian Kemp (l.) and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan all said they’re personally opposed to gambling but won’t block the legislation that would require two-thirds support in each chamber and approval by a majority of voters in a November 2020 referendum.
Competing Casino Bills Move Forward in Connecticut
Lawmakers in the Connecticut legislature voted last week to move forward two bills that are diametrically opposed to each other. One would authorize an open bidding process for commercial casinos. The other would cement the existing exclusive gaming arrangement with the state’s gaming tribes that would allow them to build a third casino (l.) in East Windsor.
Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino Hotel Announces New Expansions
Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino Hotel has just opened its new $125 million renovations to the public. It also announced new expansions in the works.
Texas Legislator Proposes 13 Casinos
County referendums could be held in Texas if legislation filed by state Rep. Roland Gutierrez (l.) is successful. It would approve 13 destination casino resorts. Gutierrez said the state is losing $3 billion a year to neighboring states that allow casinos, money that could be used for education, infrastructure and emergencies.
