Nevada has become the latest state to push back against Dave & Buster’s proposal to introduce betting among friends at its popular amusement centers. Gaming Control Board agents recently met with the company’s executives to make it clear that such betting activities would not be permitted.
Board chair Kirk Hendrick issued a statement on Monday, May 13, reinforcing the board’s stance against activities that could encourage underage gambling and highlight wagering in spaces frequented by a significant number of minors. “We oppose activities that could promote underage gambling, as well as wagering activities by businesses catering to a significant number of minor clientele,” Hendrick stated.
The reaction extends beyond Nevada. In Illinois, a lawmaker has already submitted a bill aimed at prohibiting the concept, while regulators in Ohio and Pennsylvania are also contemplating measures to restrict or prevent similar activities.
In other news, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced on Wednesday, May 15, that a change-of-plea hearing for Ippei Mizuhara has been scheduled for June 4. Mizuhara is the former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Previously pleading not guilty as a matter of procedure, Mizuhara has already signed a plea deal and admitted to stealing funds from Ohtani, transferring nearly $17 million from the athlete’s accounts to clear his debts. He now faces up to 33 years in prison and fines totaling $1.25 million.
In Louisiana, Ronnie Johns, the head of the state’s Gaming Control Board, announced his retirement effective June 30. Appointed in July 2021 by then-Governor John Bel Edwards, Johns has dedicated 37 years to public service, 22 of which were spent in the state legislature. Under his leadership, regulations for online sports betting were developed and implemented. Johns expressed that it’s time for him to focus on his family, saying, “It’s time to chase our grandkids from ballpark to ballpark, school events, and wherever life’s journey takes them.”
ESPN Bet recently released a new advertisement featuring the well-known sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, adding to the growing trend of mainstream personalities promoting betting platforms.
Meanwhile, New York State Senator Joe Addabbo has filed a bill this week that seeks to allocate one percent of tax revenues to problem and responsible gaming initiatives, with a minimum funding cap of $6 million. Additionally, another one percent of tax revenue would be used to support youth team sports and education. Addabbo had previously introduced a bill in the previous month aiming to raise the legal age for daily fantasy sports from 18 to 21 and to permit peer-to-peer pick’em-style DFS games. With New York’s legislative session set to adjourn on June 6, the fate of these bills remains uncertain.
On the other side of the border, an Ontario Superior Court ruled on May 13 that the province’s online wagering and casino model, which went live on April 4, 2024, is legal. This ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, which argued that Ontario’s new gaming regulations could harm its community by diverting revenues from their existing operators. The council has been licensing gambling operators for the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke for the past 25 years.
Circa Sports made headlines with its launch in Kentucky on May 14, in partnership with ECL Corbin/Cumberland Run. The company boasts the highest betting limits in the industry and offers what it calls “transparent odds.” Kentucky marked the fifth U.S. state where Circa Sports operates, following the state’s recently launched live digital sports betting service on September 28, 2023.
Caesars Entertainment also garnered attention with the opening of its casino in Columbus, Nebraska, on May 17. The initial reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with crowds gathering to experience the new 17,000-square-foot property, which includes 400 slot machines and a 2,100-square-foot sportsbook featuring a 163-inch video wall.
Golfer Justin Thomas has signed an endorsement deal with Fanatics, a move that includes promoting new product features, generating social content, and engaging with fans. This partnership comes ahead of Thomas’s participation in the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
In another development, community leaders rallied outside the office of a New York state senator to express support for a proposed casino project near Citifield, backed by Mets owner Steve Cohen. The project would require legislative action to proceed.
The Colorado Division of Gaming issued a correction on May 15 to its March 2024 wagering revenue report. The update clarified an error in the “Top 10 Sports by Total Wagers” section but did not affect the overall handle, wager counts, or tax receipts.
Meanwhile, a senator from Prince Edward Island has advocated for a national gambling advertising framework, voicing concerns about the impact of such ads on youth and the potential for fostering gambling addictions.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach announced plans to unveil a new 45,000-square-foot, five-story convention center in the fourth quarter of this year. The space will include a grand staircase, LED walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a 7,000-square-foot rooftop terrace offering ocean views.
In national news, President Joe Biden on May 16 appointed Sharon M. Avery as the acting chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Avery, previously an associate commissioner, will serve in both roles until a Senate-confirmed chair is in place, effective May 15.
