Sports Betting News

Penn Entertainment has sent a letter to investors, firing back at HG Vora, who has accused leadership of being self-serving. The letter outlines the company's plans for iGaming and ESPN Bet and argues that HG Vora has alternative motives.

Missouri has officially opened the application period for sports betting operators to apply for licenses before the new market launches. A total of 19 retail and 21 mobile licenses will be available, and the market is set to launch by December 1.

One of Penn Entertainment’s largest shareholders has called for a change in leadership just days after CEO Jay Snowden hosted an optimistic earnings call. The infighting is over the future of ESPN Bet, which has yet to live up to Snowden’s projections.

The NCAA may end its ban on pro sports betting amid concerns over rises in problem gambling and betting scandals involving coaches and athletes. The Division 1 council is currently considering the change and could make a decision within the next month.

The Oklahoma Senate could not conduct a floor vote for a pair of sports betting bills before the legislative session ended this week. However, the Senate could bring the bills back up for a vote in the 2026 session, which starts in February.

Penn Entertainment has announced that it will integrate its ESPN Bet platform with ESPN Fantasy Sports, one of the world's largest fantasy platforms. The integration details are unknown, but it is expected to be complete before the NFL season.

The Colorado Senate passed HB 1311 to tax sportsbooks on promo bets. However, new amendments will need to be approved by the House during the 2026 legislative session. If passed, the bill would go into effect in July 2026.

The NCAA penalized Iowa State University football staffers who placed over 6,000 illegal wagers on sports. This is the second betting scandal the school has faced over the last few years, leading some to wonder if more penalties could be coming.

Two sports betting bills are heading for a Senate floor vote in Oklahoma. One would legalize sports betting, which Governor Stitt has promised to veto. The other would circumvent Stitt and put the issue on the November 2026 ballot.

The Louisiana House is considering raising the sports betting operator tax rate from 15% to 32.5%. A proposed bill would create the SPORT Fund to help support athletic programs for the state’s Division I colleges.