Our Writers:
Michael Savio

The Rhode Island Senate passed a bill to allow for the creation of two to five additional sports betting licenses by a vote of 30-2. The bill will now head to the House, where leadership has opposed previous expansion proposals.

The Responsible Online Gaming Association has released new guidelines for how sportsbook VIP hosts should interact with customers to curb problem gambling. The new best practices come as VIP hosts have come under fire over problem gambling concerns.

Tennessee has reported a sports betting handle of $463.6 million for April. That number is down compared to the month before, but up 21.7% year-over-year. The state’s 1.85% privilege tax generated approximately $8.5 million in tax revenue.

Governor Wes Moore signed the state’s new budget into law, which raises the tax rate for online sports betting operators from 15% to 20%. This is a far smaller hike after Moore’s initial proposal called for the rate to double to 30%.

Charles Barkley shared that he uses a bookie to circumvent FanDuel’s betting limits during an NHL broadcast. Some responsible gaming advocates believe his remark crossed a line by suggesting a way for the public to avoid responsible gaming guardrails.

The North Carolina House released a budget that did not include a tax hike for sportsbook operators, rejecting a Senate proposal to double it. Both sides want to increase funding for UNC-system schools, but disagree on how.

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council sent a cease-and-desist letter to offshore sportsbook BetOnline as part of a wider effort to protect its regulated market. The sports betting regulator has also contacted the CFTC to shut down sports prediction markets.

Sweepstakes casino giant VGW has announced the formation of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance to support the social gaming industry. The group will be led by former South Carolina US Rep. Jeff Duncan, who will focus on legitimizing the industry amid a nationwide crackdown.

FanDuel has announced a new real-time check-in tool for players making larger or more frequent deposits than usual. The AI tool will track customer deposits and betting patterns to ensure the check-in is sent to those who show early signs of problem gambling.

The Missouri Gaming Commission has announced that the state’s sports betting market will launch on December 1 as operators begin applying for licenses. That date is also the deadline for when the market must go live, leaving little room for error.