South Carolina Lawmakers Weigh Sports Betting
Three gambling measures have been pre-filed for the South Carolina legislative session that runs January 12 through May 13. The first legislation, House Joint Resolution 3395, would propose an amendment to the state constitution to allow casino-style gambling and sports betting. HJR 3395 would earmark gambling tax revenue to be used for “highway, road and […]
Tennessee Sports Bettors Wager $131 Million
Bettors wagered $131.4 million and sportsbooks paid out $118.2 million in the first month of legalized online-only sports betting, according to the Tennessee Education Lottery, which oversees the new industry. Sportsbooks paid $2.4 million in taxes, with 80 percent, or $1.9 million, directed to state education programs. Legislative analysts said Tennessee sports betting could yield […]
Sports Betting A Topic for Georgia Lawmakers
In Georgia, state Rep. Ron Stephens, chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, said of the numerous pre-filed gambling bills, his measure legalizing online sports betting “is the easiest to pass. It clearly does not require a constitutional amendment. It’s just a matter of us giving the Georgia Lottery Commission direction and authority […]
Kentucky’s Beshear Wants Sports Betting, Historic Horseracing
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently reiterated his belief that sports betting should be legalized in the state. When asked if the time is right, Beshear responded, “I believe the time was right years and years and years ago when virtually every state around us, all Republican states, already have it. We talk about having a […]
Five Missouri Sports Betting Bills Proposed
The Missouri legislature now has five sports betting proposals to consider in the new session starting January 13. Democratic Missouri state Rep. Wes Rogers’ pre-filed sports betting bill joins four pre-filed by Senate Republicans, including one that also would legalize video lottery terminals. Lawmakers also have pre-filed other bills that would allow riverboat casinos to […]
Massachusetts Sports Betting Not A Sure Thing
Massachusetts should have little trouble passing sports betting legislation. Yet a bill with positive support in 2019—with backing from the Governor—went nowhere. Same thing in 2020. As for 2021, well Massachusetts lawmakers agreed to a $627 million economic development deal January 5, at the end of a legislative session. Among other elements, the bill features […]
NJ Horsemen’s Suit Nears End
A suit in New Jersey over opposition to sports betting by pro leagues and the NCAA in 2014 could be nearing a resolution. A federal judge last month nixed an effort by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association to get the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and the NCAA to pay more than $100 million in […]
Sports Betting: State of the States
Almost half the states have some kind of legalized sports betting as 2021 unfolds. A handful of others seem ready to join the club this year. SportsHandle compiled a list of those that might go and those expected to be a no. Arizona has had legislation for the past two years that would allow tribal […]
Unite HERE, Six Casinos Agree to Extensions
Employees at six Atlantic City casinos have agreed to a contract extension with the casino workers’ union, Unite HERE Local 54. The extension applies to 7,200 workers at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, Tropicana Casino and Resort, Harrah’s Resort and Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, Pennsylvania. Donna DeCaprio, financial secretary […]
Live! Philadelphia Announces Opening Dates
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, the city’s second casino, announced that it will open on January 19 at 4 p.m. with a series of reservation-only Preview Days for Live! Rewards Club members. The Preview Days will be followed by the official Grand Opening to the general public on Thursday, February 11 at 8 p.m. (pending […]
Covid Closures Killing NM Racetracks, Say Operators
After being closed for nine months due to the pandemic, operators of New Mexico’s racetracks say their industry is on the verge of dying. Recently a racehorse trainer, Todd Fincher, told KTSM 9 News, “I beg the governor [Michelle Lujan] to open the casinos; I mean it’s killing the No. 3 industry in the state, […]
Hawaii Governor Opposes Casino Proposal
Hawaii Governor David Ige opposes a proposal by the Hawaiian Homes Commission to build a casino in the town of Kapolei on the island of Oahu, on lands set aside for Native Hawaiians. The commission approved of the proposal in December by a vote of 5-4. It will next ask for the governor to include […]
