Sports Betting News

Hard Rock has confirmed that it has begun talks with FanDuel and DraftKings about entering the Florida market, over which the operator currently has sole control. A partnership would involve the industry leaders paying Hard Rock a monthly percentage.

Maine is reporting a sports betting handle of $51 million for September. This impressive result is a 45% increase from August, thanks largely to the start of the football season. DraftKings led the way, accounting for $46 million of the handle.

DraftKings has donated another $5 million to Winning for Missouri Education, a group campaigning to get voters to legalize sports betting in November. The money will be used to generate ads and awareness ahead of the upcoming election.

Kentucky’s strong August sports betting revenue numbers have pushed their total handle up to $2.4 billion, far exceeding even the most liberal projections. DraftKings Sportsbook is leading the market, followed closely by FanDuel, and bet365 in a distant third.

Massachusetts sent a cease-and-desist letter to offshore sportsbook Bovada, demanding it shutter its platform in the state. In addition to not paying tax on the revenue generated, the state accuses the operator of misleading customers into thinking the platform is based in the US.

The North Carolina Lottery Commission reports that the state has received $61 million in tax revenue over the first six months, beating the annual projection of $36.1 million. The regulator also approved rules for retail sports betting, meaning that it could go live soon.

A Michigan bettor has been arrested after being charged with defrauding Caesars Sportsbook by exploiting a system vulnerability on their online platform. The bettor is alleged to have stolen over $500,00 after making a fake $2 million deposit.

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.