Rhode Island Opens First New England Sports Book
For now, Rhode Island has the only sports book operating in New England. Sportsbook Rhode Island in at Twin River Casino in Lincoln took the first wagers on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The second sports book in the Tiverton casino is expected to open this week.
Sagi Sells Playtech Stake
Playtech’s Teddy Sagi (l.) has sold his stake in the gambling software company he founded 19 years ago for about $87 million. Sagi’s Brickington Trading has sold about 15.2 million shares, equivalent to 4.8 percent of the London-listed company, his family office, Globe Invest, said in a press statement. The sale may open the door for involvement in the U.S. for the iGaming giant.
Massachusetts: Who Knew and When Did They Know It?
Despite the investigation into the activities of former Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn being stalled because of a lawsuit he filed against the state gaming board, questions still remain. The center around who know about the payments to Wynn’s paramours and when did they know it. The now “Encore” Boston Harbor (l.) is slated to open in June 2019.
AGS Partners with Relax Gaming
Slot manufacturer AGS announced an agreement with online gaming content supplier Relax Gaming to become distribution partners for each other’s content. AGS CEO David Lopez (l.) calls it “an important partnership.”
Worldpay, Paysafe Develop iGaming, Sports Betting Solution
Worldpay and Paysafe Group have formed a strategic partnership to establish what could be an industry-standard payment technology system for the iGaming and sports-betting segments in the U.S. The NETELLER digital wallet will play an important role in the deal.
FOX Sports Partners with Sportradar for Data
FOX Sports will team sports data provider Sportradar in what it says is an attempt to push the boundaries of data-driven sports coverage. Sportradar is developing new research tools, data products and machine learning technology that will enable FOX Sports broadcasters to bolster in-game and digital content with real-time and historic sports data via API, the network said in a press release.
DraftKings CEO Outlines Sports Betting Preparations
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins (l.), speaking in a recent interview, said the company began preparing to offer sports betting as soon as the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would hear New Jersey’s challenge to PASPA, the federal ban on sports betting. When the high court overturned the ban, DraftKings launched sports betting in New Jersey where it is now bringing in 80 percent of the company’s business in the state.
Florida Legislators Assess Amendment 3 Impact on Sports Betting
Now that Florida voters approved the Voter Control of Gambling amendment by 71 percent, state legislators are trying to interpret how it would affect sports betting. Incoming Senate President Bill Galvano (l.) said lawmakers may approve and regulate it. But John Sowinski of Voters In Charge said sports betting legislation would be unconstitutional.
Former Centaur Officials Buy Gary Riverboats
Former Centaur Gaming executives Rod Ratcliff and John Keeler formed Spectacle Entertainment to purchase Majestic Star Casino I and II (l.) in Gary, Indiana. Spectacle hopes to relocate one casino within Gary and move the other license elsewhere in the state. The transaction, if approved by the Indiana Gaming Commission, would close in first quarter 2019.
North Carolina Eyes Sports Betting
North Carolina, a state that has traditionally shunned expanded gaming is getting serious about sports betting. State Senator Phil Berger thinks it’s time to at least talk about it. David Tepper (l.), owner of the NFL’s Panthers, believes it’s inevitable.
Tesuque Casino Opens Next to Santa Fe Opera House
The Pueblo of Tesuque in New Mexico last week opened the Tesuque Casino next to the Santa Fe Opera House. The casino has 800 slots and ten tables. It replaces the tribe’s previous casino, the Camel Rock casino, which was half the size of the new one.
$280 Million ESports Complex Opens in China
An “eSports town” complex has opened in Hangzhou in China and will host events sponsored by LGD Gaming. The complex is operated by the Hangzhou city government and took $280 million to build.
