In a push to transform the landscape of wagering in Missouri, proponents of a wagering initiative announced they have amassed over 300,000 signatures, with ambitions to reach a total of 325,000 by the May 5th deadline. “Winning for Missouri Education”, the group spearheading this effort, requires 180,000 verified signatures to secure their proposal’s spot on the November ballot. Their goal is to authorize statewide mobile sports betting, a move supported by the state’s professional sports teams.
The Missouri wagering initiative presents a direct challenge to the state’s general assembly which, for several years, has failed to agree on a path to legalize online wagering. In 2020, Missouri was anticipated to be an early adopter of sports betting in its region. Despite the inaction of the local legislature, neighboring states such as Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska have all embraced some form of wagering. Currently, sports betting is permitted in seven out of the eight states bordering Missouri.
In related sports and wagering news, the NFL on Thursday, April 18, reinstated five players suspended last summer for breaching NFL gambling protocols. Notably absent from this list was Isaiah Rodgers of the Philadelphia Eagles. These reinstatements occurred just one day after the NBA issued its first ever ban to a player, Jontay Porter, for leaking proprietary data to bettors and wagering on NBA games.
At the forefront of the recently reinstated NFL athletes stands Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, joined by former Lions like wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore, defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor, and ex-Colts linebacker Rashod Berry.
Legislative efforts in Maine encountered a rollercoaster of events when a bill to grant the Wabanaki Nation online gaming rights failed in the House and Senate, only to be resuscitated in the House and then ultimately fail once again in the Senate. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry championed this revival, leveraging a common Maine legislative tactic where lawmakers may initially align with the prevailing vote to retain the option to revisit legislation later. The legislative session closed on April 17, signaling the end of the road for this session’s bills.
Meanwhile, allegations of misleading marketing practices in the gambling industry surfaced as DraftKings faced a class-action lawsuit in a New York federal court. The lawsuit challenged the usage of the term “risk-free” in its betting promotions, claiming that bettors received significantly less in credits for winning bets compared to potential real-money winnings. This litigation echoes the larger trend of gambling operators moving away from the “risk-free” assurances, as several U.S. jurisdictions have already banned such language.
The New York State Gaming Commission’s chairman, Brian O’Dwyer, emphasized his support for the NCAA’s proposal to prohibit college player prop bets nationwide. New York already enforces such a ban, aimed at protecting student-athletes from undue pressure and potential harassment.
Further development in sports betting legislation is underway in Mississippi, with HB 774, a bill advocating for statewide mobile betting, progressing to a conference committee with hopes of achieving a compromise before the May 5 adjournment.
Amidst these tumultuous waters for sports betting laws, New York City Council approved zoning alterations permitting construction of downstate casinos in high-density zones or commercial manufacturing districts. In addition, Caesars Entertainment has expanded its online gambling offerings to include an NHL-themed blackjack game, and discussions are ongoing regarding a potential price hike from $2 to $5 per MegaMillions lottery ticket.
Controversy surrounds the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe’s plans for a new Texas casino, while Virginia takes steps towards a possible Petersburg casino voter referendum in November.
Concluding this week’s North American betting and gambling highlights:
– Minnesota’s indecision on legal sports betting could lead to a stall this year.
– North Carolina’s betting market sees over $659 million wagered within the first three weeks.
– Ontario celebrates a mammoth $63 billion handle in its second year of operation.
– Connecticut proposes stringent advertising guidelines in new bill.
– FanDuel could secure a two-year advance over competitors in DC’s betting scene.
– A pause on WBA betting announced by Ontario’s gaming regulator.
– Plans are in the works for a national self-exclusion list in the U.S. betting industry.
