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:
- 888sport to launch in Colorado, Iowa and Indiana
- New York State Sen. not giving up on legal mobile betting
- Onine Poker Thrives in PA and NJ
Colorado Iowa & Indiana
It’s been announced this week that betting giant 888 Holdings plc is set to launch their online sports beting platform in Colorado, Iowa and India after securing market access.
888 is one of the biggest and best known international gambling brands, and already operates in New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada. 888 sports will launch in the aforementioned additional states sometime in 2021. 888 Holdings has agreed long term deals with Catfish Bend Casinos II LLC in Burlington, Iowa, Caesars Entertainment’s Harrah’s Hoosier Park, about 30 miles from Indianapolis, Iowa and Grande Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado.
888 chief executive officer, Itai Pazner, is said he was “delighted” with all three deals. Meanwhile Yaniv Sherman, senior vice president and head of commercial development for 888, has said that the expansion into 3 additional US states is a “major milestone” in their journey for growth and brand development in the US. It’s not just 888 who are growing, however, as all 3 states in question, Colorado, Iowa and and Indiana have seen gambling revenue increase greatly in 2020.
New York
New York State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. claims he’s no giving up on his pursuit of legal online and mobile sports betting in the Empire State.
The Sentor attempted to push through Bill 17D, which would have paved the lay for legal mobile sports betting in New York State, in the last legislative session. However, the bill ultimately failed to garner enough support. The session is likely to reconvene sometime in 2021 after being delated due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Addabbo is confident that he will be able to get the extra support needed from assembly members and senators as the bill could see the state gain some much needed extra tax revenue.
However, Senator Addobbo, is also the chairman of the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, face some strong opposition. Most notably from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who is been vocal about his opposition to legalizing mobile betting in the Empire State, claiming doing so would be “unconstitutional”.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Online poker companies and online casinos have been more profitable than ever during the pandemic, nowhere more so than in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Online gambling revenue has grown significantly in states where it is legal thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has prevented people from visiting casinos and sports betting retailers. The effects have been most prominent in New Jersey and Pennsylvania - the two states which have the most long- standing and liberal online gambling laws. In their figures released for October, new Jersey revealed a 106.7% increase in online poker and casino revenue from 2019, as they hit a record $93.5 million.
