Sports Betting Beat - July 5, 2021: Virginia Slows Again, Casino Sues Florida Over Sports Betting Deal
The Virginia Lottery reports that the Commonwealth’s handle for May was nearly $227 million, that represents a decline of four percent from the $236.4 million taken in during the month of April and well below the $304 million recorded for March.
June is one of the slowest months of the year for sports betting.
While the numbers will be boosted come September and straight through the month of March, those living in Virginia wanting to place bets on the Hokies and Cavs will have to do so with the tried and true offshore sportsbooks.
Florida
Florida lawsuit challenges new Seminole gambling compact
One of Florida’s oldest parimutuel companies, owner of Miami’s Magic City Casino and the Bonita Springs Poker Room, filed a federal lawsuit Friday challenging the Florida gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, alleging that the sports betting component is a based on “legal fiction” that violates federal law.
They are claiming the pact violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and has requested the court to enjoin implementation of sports betting.
Under the deal agreed upon by state legislators and Governor Ron DeSantis, anyone in Florida over age 21 can start placing and collecting online wagers on sporting events “via the internet [or] web application” from anywhere in Florida beginning on Oct. 15.
A previous amendment to state law requires that Florida voters have the final say in any matter pertaining to gambling expansion. To that end, DraftKings and FanDuel are backing a voter referendum that must pass by 60% or greater in November.
“While we are fully supportive of Gov. DeSantis and his work to secure a new Seminole Compact, the lawsuit focuses on a very narrow aspect of the Compact — the legality of off-reservation and online sports wagering,’' said Isadore Havenick, vice president for public affairs for Southwest Parimutuels.
The company claims that it will “lose millions” in revenue “because individuals in Florida can now gamble from the comfort of their homes, which will significantly, if not completely, impair Southwest Parimutuels’ ability to compete with the tribe.”
The Seminoles contend that mobile wagers will take place on "tribal land" as this is where the online servers are located. If accepted, this would resolve any argument offshore books have presented for the better part of two decades.
The deal is awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Interior, which has 45 days after the compact was submitted to it to make a decision.
Additional lawsuits are anticipated.
New York
New York misses deadline for online sports betting
(The Center Square) – The New York State Gaming Commission has missed the deadline to release a solicitation seeking bidders to operate online sports betting in the state.
The measure was included in the state’s 2021-22 fiscal year, which lawmakers passed in April. That spending plan called for the commission to release a request for proposals document by July 1.
SportsHandle, citing industry sources, reported Thursday evening that the delay could be up to two weeks.
WynnBet
Wynn Resorts, Limited’s WYNN online sports betting app — WynnBET — recently partnered with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, which operates Apache Gold Casino and Apache Sky Casino, to secure online sports betting license in Arizona.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
