Captain Gambling: Weekly Industry News Update - 09/14/2020

Welcome to our weekly industry news digest here at Captain Gambling, where we’ll give you the latest updates and information regarding betting legislation in all states across the country. 

This week’s top stories:

• Louisiana Wins broadcast pro sports betting commercial during football game
• Public to vote on the future of Nebraska’s casino industry 
• Tennessee to allow sports betting before November 1st
• PointBet Sportsbook launches in Illinois

Louisiana

During Sunday’s NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a commercial was aired encouraging voters to back the proposed legalization of sports betting in the state. The commercial was created by Louisiana Wins, an advocacy group that supports the legalization of sports gambling in the state. On November 3rd voters in all 64 of Lousianna’s parishes will be able to vote on the issue of legalized sports betting. As long as a majority of voters in the parish pass the motion, it will be passed in that area - meaning it doesn’t have to be legalized in the state as a whole. 

Nebraska 

Nebraska is known for having ultra strict gambling laws, however that could be about to change as lawmakers believe the current rules and regulations are a little outdated. Although no date has been set in stone, there is set to be a public vote to legalize commercial casinos in the states. Should it pass, a vote on sports betting is expected to follow closely after. 

Tennessee 

Tennessee has declared that it will be the next state to legalize sports betting, with the first platforms to be allowed to operate by November 1st at the very latest. Had the original timeline gone to plan, the state would have legalized betting this month, in time for the start of the NFL season. However, complications including the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the original date getting pushed back. 

Illinois

On Saturday morning, PointsBet became the latest online sportsbook to offer sports wagering in the state of Illinois. After weeks of rumours, PointsBet finally became the latest sportsbook to join Illinois lists of sportsbooks. Former MLB player Joe Ostrowski was the first person to place a bet with PointsBet Illinois, which he promoted via Twitter. He put $1,000 on the Chicago White Sox to win the World Series, with a potential payout of $14,000.

Esports betting lacks popularity in the US

While states have been clambering to legalize sports betting since the federal ban was lifted two years ago, the uptake of esports betting hasn’t been quite so hot. While 17 states and counting have legalized sports betting, not all states have been as keen to include esports betting. While there’s no blanket explanation for this, lack of demand, tradition and the fact a great number of esports fans are under 18 have been cited as reasons.