Articles by Michael Savio

The Illinois House is reviewing SB0118, which would add gambling addiction to the Substance Use Disorder Act, unlocking tools to fight the rising problem. The Senate unanimously passed the bill, giving proponents hope that it will soon become law.

Lawmakers in Hawaii’s Senate have surprised many by passing sports betting bill HB1308, which would legalize and set up a framework for the industry. The House must approve changes before the bill is sent to the Governor.

A trade war has led to massive tariffs enacted worldwide, threatening to send the US into a recession and test the thriving sports betting industry. While online operators have been able to weather the storm so far, retail sportsbooks are already seeing massive losses.

Tribal leaders in the Golden State are attempting to restart negotiations over sports betting with a new proposal for a regulated market run by them. The proposal comes as sports prediction markets grow in popularity, giving bettors another way to wager on sports.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has confirmed reports that they have opened an investigation into sports prediction markets operated by Kalshi and Robinhood. The sports betting regulator has not taken any action against the operators as of yet.

Hawaii’s Senate Ways and Means Committee passed online sports betting bill HB 1308 by a vote of 11-2, setting it up for a vote on the Senate Floor. While the bill passed by a wide margin, four lawmakers expressed reservations over their support.

The Baltimore City Law Department has filed a lawsuit against FanDuel and DraftKings for deceptive marketing tactics. The department accuses them of fueling the rise in problem gambling and violating the city’s Consumer Protection Order, allowing it to take legal action.

Kalshi filed lawsuits against the New Jersey and Nevada regulators over cease-and-desist letters demanding its March Madness prediction market shut down. The company argues that only the CFTC should control the controversial market, meaning the regulators’ actions are illegal.

Sports betting bill HB 1101 and HB 1047 would establish a tribal-run sports betting market in Oklahoma, despite the threat of veto from Governor Stitt. The Senate is considering a separate bill, but the two champers haven’t been able to reach a compromise.

Several US states have banned or considered bans on all sweepstakes casinos as legal gambling spreads, but many are wondering if it is the right move. With problem gambling on the rise, are states taking away a possible solution?