State of the Union: Texas exploratory group, Addabbo’s district supports online gambling

Welcome to iGB’s State of the Union, a look at the biggest North American sports betting stories we’ve covered over the week and briefs on others we found interesting.

Texas group to “explore” legal gambling
A group of North Texas business and community leaders formed a coalition to explore legalising casinos in the state. Former Dallas Mavericks majority shareholder Mark Cuban sold a portion of his shares to two families associated with Las Vegas Sands earlier this year. Should gambling be legalised, the entity plans to build a casino resort in Dallas.

The North Texas Commission “will study the implications of destination gaming and make recommendations regarding issues like economic development, workforce demands, infrastructure requirements, transportation and public safety impacts,” the Dallas Business Journal reported Wednesday (24 July).

The commission was formed ahead of the 2025 legislative session, when lawmakers are expected to again consider the issue. Las Vegas Sands has invested heavily in lobbying in Texas, but every step of the way Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has said he opposes an expansion of gaming. The state legislature is set to open 14 January and lawmakers can pre-file bills beginning 1 December.

Addabbo poll: 50% of constituents support igaming
New York state senator Joe Addabbo’s office Friday (26 July) released results of a survey of 523 constituents. His office polled on key issues in New York, including the legalisation of igaming. Results show that 50% of those polled support the idea, 36% are opposed, and 24% are undecided.

The least amount of support was in the Forest Hills district, in which 34.3% of those polled are in support, and 37.1% oppose. The most support is in Howard Beach, where 63.3% support the idea and 22.4% oppose it.

Addabbo was instrumental in getting legal online sports betting legalised in New York in 2021, and since been pushing his peers to consider legal online gambling.

Betfred to exit Ohio
On the heels of SuperBook shuttering in eight states, Betfred this week announced that it will close in Ohio. The company shut down its Maryland sports betting platform last month, and will cease operations in Ohio on 31 August. Patrons can make deposits in Ohio until 31 July and place wagers until 14 August. The deadline for Ohio patrons to initiate online withdrawal is noon ET, 31 August. In Maryland, Betfred stopped taking bets in the middle of July, and withdrawal requests must be initiated by 31 July.

Betfred remains live online in eight states.

Bet365 live in Pennsylvania
Bet365 went live in Pennsylvania Monday (22 July), its 11th US market, the company announced via press release. It is partnered with Presque Isle Downs for market access, and brings the number of wagering platforms available in Pennsylvania to 13. Based in the UK, bet365 is live across the country, from Arizona to Virginia.

AGS expands on land, online
Gaming supplier AGS announced significant game launches, both in brick-and-mortar casinos and online.

The company 19 July announced an exclusive omnichannel launch of Rakin’ Bacon Sahara, in person at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and online at Hard Rock Bet. It was Hard Rock’s first joint omnichannel launch of a slot game simultaneously online and in-person in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, AGS Interactive (AGSi) is now live in Delaware with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading iGaming company that operates the BetRivers brand.

– Frank Legato

OLG partners with Team Canada
Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG), which regulates sports betting in the province, late last week announced a partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee. OLG’s ad campaign focuses on how their players have indirectly helped support amateur athletes in Ontario by playing with OLG.

That campaign has focused on some of the bigger-name Team Canada athletes: Andre De Grasse (athletics), Penny Oleksiak (swimming), Maggie Mac Neil (swimming), Jillian Weir (athletics), and other Ontario and Para athletes who have received funding from the Quest for Golf program.

Simermeyer named to Native American HOF board
FanDuel’s VP strategic partnerships E. Sequoyah Simermeyer was appointed to the National Native American Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors on Thursday. A former chairman for the National Indian Gaming Commission, Simermeyer and the board will “work to bring greater awareness to the significant contributions of contemporary Native people,” according to a press release

In other news …
The WNBA announced late last week that it is partnering with DraftKings, which will be the league’s wagering and daily fantasy partner. According to Bleacher Report, DraftKings will get additional media exposure across WNBA platforms as well as rights to marketing, activation and hospitality opportunities, including at the WNBA All-Star Game.

Gamblers in Deadwood, SD, laid down $748m in the first six months of the year, including betting on sports. Wagering handle was up 9% over the same period in 2023. In June, Deadwood bettors laid down $557,594 in bets and more than half of the amount wagered was on baseball.

Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby was a boon for a Tennessee auto worker who won $900,000 on Fanatics’ new free-to-play game. Royden Hudson correctly picked the winner of four first round derby matchups. He also correctly picked how many home runs the winner recorded in those matchups. Hudson called the windfall “life-changing money”, part of which he’ll use to take his wife to Hawaii.

ICYMI on iGB
Bally’s agrees to Standard General buyout at $18.25 per share

Lower-income gamblers take more risks online

Las Vegas Sands gets local approval for proposed Long Island casino site

US lawmakers share model iGaming legislation in hopes of smoothing path to legalisation

DraftKings announces market access, plans for digital platform in DC