Casino City’s Friday Five: Sport betting news explosion week edition

It seems not a day goes by without more news and information about sports betting coming out — not that that’s a bad thing. Sportsbooks are continuing to open in various states in the U.S. This week, we have several new sportsbooks being introduced, a new addition to FanDuel’s partnership with the NBA, and two U.S. senators unveiling a federal sports betting bill. Let’s start with the new sportsbooks: 5. theScore to launch mobile sportsbook in New Jersey On Tuesday, theScore announced plans to launch a mobile sportsbook in the U.S. in 2019 after securing market access through an official licensing partnership with Darby Development, the operator of the Monmouth Park Racetrack in New Jersey, and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. This agreement will allow the media company to offer online and mobile sports betting across New Jersey. “This is a significant moment for theScore, becoming the first media company in North America to announce its plans to launch online and mobile sports betting in the United States,” said John Levy, Founder and CEO of theScore. “Sports betting has long been part of our company DNA in how we’ve delivered content to fans. Providing the ability to actually bet on games is the natural next phase for theScore.

.@theScore Announces Plans to Launch Mobile Sportsbook in New Jersey. https://t.co/LwQZRBNasW ?? pic.twitter.com/SvM5IZGjCl
— theScore Inc. (@theScoreInc) December 18, 2018

4. Online sports betting coming to West Virginia DraftKings announced on Tuesday that it has reached a licensing agreement with an affiliate of Penn National Gaming, the operator of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia. The agreement allows sports fans in the Mountain State to access DraftKings Sportsbook, the leading mobile and online sports betting platform, pending regulatory approvals. DraftKings Sportsbook will offer an online sports betting experience that includes live, in-game betting, the opportunity to wager on major and niche international and U.S. sports, and new features such as Sportsbook Pools for NFL, NBA and NHL. “We are pleased to help welcome DraftKings to West Virginia,” said John Finamore, Sr. Vice President of Regional Operations for Penn National Gaming. “We believe the state will certainly benefit from DraftKings’ tremendous brand awareness and expertise in providing customers a quality online sports betting experience.”

Press Release: DraftKings Prepares to Launch Sports Betting in West Virginia. Read the official announcement here: https://t.co/dQjm3b1q77 pic.twitter.com/rw0NDXGG2l
— DraftKingsNews (@DraftKingsNews) December 18, 2018

3. SugarHouse Casino opens first licensed sportsbook in Philadelphia Last week, SugarHouse Casino announced that its new SugarHouse Casino Sportsbook has successfully completed a two-day operational test period and received approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to officially open for business. “We’re thrilled to make Philly history as the city’s first licensed sportsbook,” said Cheryl Duhon, general manager of SugarHouse Casino. “If our soft launch was any indication, there’s a big demand among Philly sports fans and gamers to get in on the action.” SugarHouse Casino’s Sportsbook will offer betting on sporting events including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer and college sports. For those who choose to bet, some of the examples of available bets are straight bets, parlays, totals and in-game betting. In the beginning stages of the sportsbooks, bets are going to be cash only.

Today was historic! After a successful two day test period, we proudly cut the ribbon on Philadelphia’s first SportsBook. Thank you to everyone who made this epic day possible!
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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. pic.twitter.com/Wj7BlM5TnH
— SugarHouse Casino (@WinAtSugarHouse) December 15, 2018

2. NBA and FanDuel add sports betting to partnership The National Basketball Association and FanDuel announced on Tuesday an expanded multiyear partnership making FanDuel an Authorized Gaming Operator of the NBA, in addition to continuing as the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the NBA and the WNBA. As part of the expanded partnership, FanDuel will gain access to official NBA betting data, along with league marks and logos, across FanDuel’s sports betting offerings. FanDuel will remain the NBA’s Official Daily Fantasy Partner, operating both the Official Daily Fantasy Game of the NBA and the WNBA. Additionally, FanDuel and the NBA will continue to innovate with NBA InPlay, the interactive, real-time mobile fantasy game that launched in 2016 where fans can play live during NBA action to win prizes.

Some news! We are now an Authorized Gaming Operator of the @NBA, in addition to continuing as the Official Daily Fantasy Partner of the @NBA and the @WNBA ??

More details ?? https://t.co/S88Ys3cbGO pic.twitter.com/8GcoIfZe6H
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 18, 2018

1. Senatora propose to regulate legal sports betting Sen. Charles Schumer (New York – Democrat) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah – Republican) introduced a federal bill on Wednesday that would establish minimum standards to be set by the Justice Department. The bill does not have a clear view on the integrity fees that the professional sports leagues are hoping for. Eight states have already begun offering sports betting and will be allowed to continue to do so while the state laws are being evaluated. Several other states have already begun to file sports betting bills for the beginning of 2019 in hopes of having it legalized in their respective states. The bill proposed by the two senators would allow sports betting on the Olympics and college sports, but would prohibit bets being placed on other amateur sports. The American Gaming Association has voiced its opinion on the matter, referring to the bill as the “epitome of a solution in search of a problem.” It is unknown if the bill will have enough support to pass.

APNewsBreak: The federal government would regulate sports betting nationwide under a bill to be introduced today. @WayneParryAC https://t.co/otKcRscp7p pic.twitter.com/X5itrevTFc
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 19, 2018