New Hampshire Wire Act Challenge Could Be Decided by May
The executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery expects the state’s challenge of the U.S. Department of Justice’s new legal interpretation of the 1961 federal Wire Act could be decided as early as next month. Arguments are set to begin this week and deliberations could take between 30 to 40 days.
Virginia Gambling Bill Becomes Law
Casino and online gambling and sports betting are coming to Virginia—but not until at least next year, according to legislation recently signed by Governor Ralph Northam (l.). The bill first requires a comprehensive study of casino regulations, then calls for voter referendums in Danville, Bristol and Portsmouth by January 1, 2021.
DOJ Seeks to Dismiss New Hampshire Lawsuit on Wire Act
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a memorandum in support of their motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the state of New Hampshire and its lottery challenging the DOJ’s new legal interpretation of the 1961 Wire Act. While a dismissal is unlikely, the memo shows the DOJ does intend to fight the lawsuit.
Mohegan Sun Pocono, Mount Airy Apply for Sports Betting
Mohegan Sun Pocono and Mount Airy Casino Resort (l.) are the two latest Pennsylvania casinos to officially submit petitions to gaming regulators to offer sports betting.
Buenos Aires Approves Online Sports Betting
Provincial Governor María Eugenia Vidal has signed a regulatory decree that legalizes and regulates online sports betting in Buenos Aires in Argentina. The new law regulates casino games, eSports betting, lotteries and horse racing. It allows betting on sports and non-sporting events that are not political. The province can approve up to seven online licenses for sports betting.
William Hill, NHL Announce Partnership
William Hill US and the National Hockey League have announced a strategic partnership agreement that will make the bookmaker the official betting partner of the league. William Hill will be promoted in relevant NHL markets and will leverage branding opportunities in connection with the league’s calendar of marquee events.
Card Rooms Proposed in Alaska
Republican lawmaker Colleen Sullivan-Leonard (l.) has introduced a bill to legalize tables-only casinos featuring both poker and house-banked games. The GOP controls both houses of the Legislature, but with the session set to end later this month, the bill’s future is uncertain.
Former LVCVA Exec Arrested in Gift Card Probe
It’s the scandal that won’t go away. More than a year has passed since it was revealed that Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority officials were taking personal trips with airline gift cards purchased with authority funds. Late last month, Las Vegas police arrested the former executive who purchased the cards. The question now is whether former CEO Rossi Ralenkotter (l.) knew about the trips.
West Virginia Legalizes iGaming
By this time next year, West Virginia will be “almost heaven” for online gamblers.
Heads of NBA, Marshall University Sports Differ on Sports Betting Risk
Adam Silver (l.), the head of the National Basketball Association, and the leader of one prominent college are at odds over risk and risk prevention presented by legalized sports betting.
ESPN Debuts Daily Wager
ESPN has debuted Daily Wager, the network’s first-ever show related to gambling, and according to program contributor Anita Marks, more gambling shows are likely to follow.
Connecticut Considers Sports Betting
A proposal that would legalize sports betting at Connecticut casinos and OTB locations—like Winners at the Hartford airport (l.)—has little chance of passage. The two state gaming tribes have threatened to end their payments to the state if the bill passes, even though they would also get the opportunity to accept sports bets.
