Sports Betting News

ESPN Bet was approved for an operating license and launched its online sportsbook in New York this week, giving the Empire State nine operators. New York has consistently been the country's most valuable sports betting market, making the launch a victory for ESPN.

Three of Missouri’s four gubernatorial candidates expressed their support for legal sports betting. Republican Mike Kehoe, Democrat Crystal Quade, and Libertarian Bill Slantz all pledged to support a recent ballot initiative that will voted on in the November election.

SI Sportsbook announced on Wednesday that it ceased operations in Colorado, becoming the third sports betting operator to exit the market in September. The move leaves the state with 15 operators, while SI Sportsbook will only be available in Michigan and Virginia.

FanDuel dominated Washington, D.C.’s online sports betting sports betting market with a $21 million handle and over $550,000 in tax revenue despite three new operators launching in July. The industry leader’s handle was higher than their three rivals combined.

Reports have shown that Caesars Entertainment has donated $4 million to a group looking to sway voters to vote against legal sports betting in November. While some industry insiders saw the move coming, much of the public was left stunned.

The MLB Players Union has filed lawsuits against DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and bet365, alleging the illegal use of players' images. They claim the operators need a licensing deal to use those images, which the union has been cracking down on over the last month.

The AGA has come out strongly against the SAFE Bet Act, describing the proposed bill as a slap in the face to the efforts of states and their regulators. If passed, the bill would move almost all regulatory control over sports betting to the federal government.

Caesars Sportsbooks has been approved to launch 53 sports betting kiosks across Washington, D.C., replacing the ones previously operated by GameBetDC. The move is the result of sports betting expansion language included in the District’s 2025 budget.

Fanatics Sportsbook launched its platform in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, making it the fifth operator to go live in the market. Fanatics is now available in 22 markets across the US, making it one of the most widespread sportsbooks in the country.

Two lawmakers have proposed the SAFE Bet Act, which would completely overhaul the US sports betting industry. The proposal would reset the market, handing control over to the federal government. The bill would also add severe advertising restrictions and protections for bettors.