SBC Americas brings you a round-up of some of the latest news hailing from the US courtesy of SportsHandle.com, a US-based source of daily information on legal issues, regulated sports betting and sports wagering content.
What just happened at this West Virginia sports betting meeting?
Nothing and a lot happened at a meeting at the state lottery building this week concerning West Virginia sports betting. A lot, because first-hand accounts of this closed-door meeting paint a colourful picture between attendees that include state lawmakers, a lobbyist for the NBA and NFL who has ties to Governor Jim Justice; a representative from the PGA, from West Virginia University and Marshall, and former U.S. Congressman Tom McMillen, who now heads the Division I Athletic Directors Association plus casino representatives; and a “citizen volunteer” for West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who did not attend in person, but spoke by speakerphone. There was also some reported shouting, “shuttle diplomacy”, and an apparent conflict of interest in play. Apparently some lawmakers were displeased that the meeting took place at all.
Read more about the meeting here
Illinois sports betting legislation hits snag
With less than a month remaining before the Illinois general assembly adjourns, the prospects for sports betting becoming legal in the state this year look bleak. There are three bills relating to sports betting in Illinois’ senate and two, SB 3432 and SB 2478, didn’t meet a May 3 deadline imposed by the Gaming Committee. SB 3432, which is sponsored by ex-NFL running back Napoleon Harris (D-District 15) and includes a league friendly 1 percent integrity fee, did not get a third reading in the Gaming Committee. According to a source from Harris’ office, the bill is effectively dead for this session, though Harris plans to continue refining and reworking it in anticipation of putting forth more complete legislation in 2019.
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What happens if New Jersey loses the Supreme Court sports betting case?
The prevailing belief is that the United States Supreme Court — sometime before the end of its term in June — will rule in favour of New Jersey and eliminate Congress’ 1992 law banning full-fledged sports wagering outside Nevada. The optimism stems from several places, including the overall tenor of oral argument in Murphy v NCAA (nee Christie v NCAA) that seemed to favour the state’s position against that of the sports leagues, which have long supported the ban. Another source of optimism is enthusiasm for the liberation of numerous states to sanction an accepted, if not celebrated, activity that now exists only partly in the shadows. These are unreliable guideposts.
Read more here
Tribal concerns reportedly slowing Michigan on sports betting legislation
As the state of Michigan nears an extended break in its current legislative session, the issue of Michigan sports betting is getting jostled around within a broader bill that would create the Lawful Internet Gaming Act. There are at least four bills addressing sports wagering in Michigan in some way – three from Representative Robert Kosowski (D-District 16) and one sponsored by Representative Brandt Iden (R-District 61). Iden thought his bill, HB 4926, would get to a vote this week. But despite a fair amount of discussion – both in the House and in the media – Iden’s bill, which would create and empower a Division of Internet Gaming to establish regulations, didn’t get to a vote. The holdup has been with the state’s Native American tribes, who have a compact with the state that does not currently include online gambling.
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