Maine Gambling Control Unit Takes Meaningful Steps Toward Sports Betting Rollout

Roughly eight months after enacting legislation authorizing retail and online/mobile sports betting, Maine’s Gambling Control Unit (“MGCU”) is taking meaningful steps toward an official “launch.” On January 11, 2023, MGCU released proposed sports betting regulations. MGCU plans to hold a public hearing to discuss the regulations and accept feedback on January 31, 2023, and will acceptcontinue reading

Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission Advances 10 Online/Mobile Sportsbook License Applications

On Thursday, October 27, 2022, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) announced they have advanced the license applications of the following 10 online/mobile sportsbook operators:

  • American Wagering
  • Barstool
  • Betfred
  • BetMGM
  • Bet Rivers/Rush Street
  • Draft Kings
  • Fanatics
  • FanDuel/Bet Fair
  • Parx Interactive
  • PointsBet

In advancing license applications for these operators, the MLGCC is essentially confirming the operators have cleared the necessary background investigations into their “honesty, integrity, good character and financial suitability to be qualified for a sports wagering license.” The MLGCC’s decision to advance the operator license applications represents another step forward in a multi-phase mobile sportsbook licensing process involving three administrative agencies: the MLGCC, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), and the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency (the Agency). The MLGCC’s decision is not equivalent to a final approval.  continue reading

After Reaching Last-Minute Deal, Massachusetts House and Senate Pass Retail and Online Sports Betting Bill

On Monday, August 1, 2022, the Massachusetts House and Senate reached a last-minute deal to legalize retail and online sports betting throughout the state. The bill, which Governor Charlie Baker is expected to sign in the coming weeks, would give Massachusetts’ existing casinos, racetrack and simulcast betting facilities the ability to conduct retail and online sports betting operations. As discussed further below, the state’s gaming establishments would also be permitted to partner with third-party online betting platforms, so long as those platforms have been appropriately licensed and approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (the Commission). The bill further imposes a 15% tax on adjusted gross wagering receipts for in-person sports betting operations and a 20% tax on adjusted gross wagering receipts for online/mobile sports betting operations.

Notably, the bill imposes a ban on wagering involving in-state college teams, except when they are playing in tournaments.

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Kansas Enacts “Compromise” Sports Betting Law Designed to Lure Professional Sports Teams

On May 12, 2022, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed S.B. 84 legalizing retail and online sports betting throughout the state. The newly-enacted law represents a compromise between the “single operator” and “free market” frameworks adopted in many other states; it gives the Kansas State Lottery (the Lottery) exclusive ownership and control of retail and online sports betting, but provides that the state’s four commercial casinos shall conduct sports betting operations on the Lottery’s behalf.

In addition to legalizing sports betting, the new law is designed to further the state’s efforts to secure a professional sports franchise, allocating a significant percentage of net betting revenue to a fund established for that very purpose. continue reading