June 2023

June 6, 2023

Sorare: From pressure point to new regulations

Sorare has updated its operating model in France, and gambling regulator ANJ is yet to confirm whether it meets its regulatory criteria, writes Jake Pollard. However, news that the French government is working to pass new regulations for Web3 “pioneers” shows how important the sector is to the French authorities.

In a statement posted on Medium, Sorare said it had updated its product roadmap as a “temporary solution”.

This decision was taken in accordance with “the French National Gaming Authority [l’Autorité National des Jeux (ANJ)] that creates an optional alternative method of entry for users based in France only”.

Essentially, Sorare has increased free-play access to its fantasy sports leagues for players in France. Even if the French language version of the company’s statement, unlike the English text, mentioned that the new method of entry would be available to players “without blockchain cards”.

A marker of regulatory pressure

Overall, the move by Sorare is a marker of t..

June 5, 2023

Episode 17: More on Brazil plus US sports betting updates

Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden talk about the latest developments in US sports betting legislation, as well as more from Brazil, in episode 17 of the World Series of Politics.

We start by revisiting Brazil sports betting, the focus of our last episode, as the regulatory process undergoes yet more evolutions.

From a provisional measure to a bill in Brazil

Brazil sports betting looked set to pass through a provisional measure (PM) which Hugo Baumgartner outlined in episode 16.

However that PM is likely to be turned into a bill, which sets up even more legislative hurdles. Other forms of gambling such as integrated resorts may be incorporated into the process.

While this could expand the market, it could also result in the bill failing to pass. Brendan says “it’s clear as mud” as to what’s likely to happen now. There’s plenty more to discuss in a future episode of the World Series of Politics.

More pain for Missouri sports betting

Next we pivot to US sports betting, where Misso..

June 5, 2023

Churchill Downs suspends racing amid safety concerns

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has suspended all racing activity at its Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky due to concerns over the safety of horses.

Racing will be halted on 7 June and remain suspended through the remainder of the Spring Meet until 3 July. The remainder of the meet will be relocated to Ellis Park from 10 June.

The suspension comes amid an unusual number of horse injuries over the previous month, resulting in 12 equine fatalities.

An internal review and investigations by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) failed to identify a single factor for this increase.

Read the full story on iGB North America

June 5, 2023

Colorado players bet $12.10bn on sports in first three years

Consumers in Colorado wagered $12.10bn on sports during the first full three years of legal betting in the US state.

Colorado launched its regulated market in May 2020, with the total amount spent covering player bets through to the end of April this year.

Of this figure, $11.95bn was wagered online and $146.9m at retail sportsbooks.

Gross gaming revenue for the three-year period amounted to $817.0m. Some $808.9m of this came from online betting, while $8.1m was attributed to land-based wagering.

Read the full story on iGB North America

June 5, 2023

BHA slams “reckless” protests at Epsom Derby

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has blasted the behaviour of protestors at the 2023 Epsom Derby, describing their actions as “reckless and dangerous”.

More than 30 individuals were arrested at the meeting on 3 June, with protest group Animal Rising having staged a series of protests over the event.

One protestor was able to gain access to the track but failed to stop the race, one of the key events on the UK racing calendar, after being tackled by police.

Last month, the Jockey Club, operator of Epsom Downs Racecourse, secured a High Court injunction to prevent protestors disrupting the Derby Festival. This came after protestors delayed the start of the Grand National in April.

The injunction banned people from entering or throwing objects on the track, entering the parade ring and any other action that could disrupt proceedings. Those who breached the injunction were subject to proceedings for contempt of court.

After several individuals still went ahead with protests, B..

June 2, 2023

Administrator appointed as Tipster insolvency ramps up

Insolvency proceedings at Tipster Ltd are progressing with the appointment of lawyer Dr Jörg Gollnick as the troubled operator's provisional insolvency administrator.

Gollnick works at Cologne law firm Heidland Werres Diederichs Rechtsanwälte. He is also the provisional insolvency administrator for Tipster Service GmbH, a company that is part of the Tipster group.

Gollnick said that the restructuring hinges on the sports betting operator’s value.

“With the insolvency application for Tipster Ltd in Germany, the course has been set for the restructuring of the entire Tipster group of companies,” said Gollnick. “The group is very valuable: the annual turnover of Tipster Ltd alone was more than €250m.”

“We have set up a structured investor process in order to use a strong partner to support the business operations for the Tipster Group including its franchisees in the long term.”

Alleged Tipster raid

In April, raids took place in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bremen, Berlin, Saxony an..

June 1, 2023

North Carolina edges closer to legalising sports betting

North Carolina has moved closer to legalising sports betting, after a bill that would do so was voted through by its state senate.

House Bill 347 was introduced on 13 March. It passed North Carolina’s House of Representatives on 30 March before being moved to the senate, where it passed on its second reading.

If passed into law, the bill would allow bets to be placed on sports and horse racing in North Carolina.

Read the full story on iGB North America

June 1, 2023

Nevada gambling revenue edges up year-on-year in April

Gambling revenue in Nevada increased 2.7% year-on-year in April to $1.16bn, but the state also reported an 11.5% month-on-month decline.

Revenue was higher than $1.13bn in April 2022 but down from the $1.31bn posted in March of this year.

Slots were again by far the primary source of revenue for the state, generating $837.9m for the month, up 4.2% year-on-year. This included $464.5m from multi-denomination slots and $275.9m from penny slot games.

However, revenue from table, counter and card games, including sports betting activity, fell 0.8% to $321.8m.

Read the full story on iGB North America

June 1, 2023

France to impose role model ban

French gambling regulator Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has said that it will prohibit the use of an athlete’s image in gambling communications.

ANJ released a number of new gambling sponsorship regulations for sports teams and non-binding recommendations for French gambling sponsorships to “strengthen the regulation of these commercial practices”, which includes a role model ban.

The new rules are the result of a gambling sponsorship working group launched in summer 2022.

France role model ban

Among the proposals is new regulation that prohibits the use of role models in gambling marketing communication. In order to assess whether an athlete could appeal to minors ANJ is to rely on a number of measures.

the regulations prevent the use of athletes in commercial communications

These are to include how favourably children might view the individual, as well as the audience makeup of an athlete on social media.

ANJ said that if 13-17-year-olds make up 16% of the audience, it wil..

June 1, 2023

Rivalry launches mobile sports betting in Ontario

Rivalry has expanded its operations in Ontario with the launch of its mobile sports betting app in the Canadian province.

The app will allow customers to wager on a range of traditional sports events and esports contests.

Betting options available to players include football, soccer and basketball events, as well as esports competitions based on games such as CS:GO, League of Legends and Dota 2.

Rivalry has been active in Ontario for some time having secured a licence in the province in April of last year.

Read the full story on iGB North America

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Monthly Archives: June 2023