March 20, 2024 - Bookielink

March 20, 2024

Baseball star Ohtani’s lawyers: Interpreter stole for illegal sports betting

The Los Angeles Times claims lawyers for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani are accusing the ballplayer's interpreter of stealing money and placing “bets with an allegedly illegal bookmaker who is the target of a federal investigation”.

The Los Angeles Times broke the story today (20 March) claiming baseball superstar Ohtani’s lawyers are accusing the ballplayer’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara of “massive theft” for illegal sports betting.

According to the Times’ report, learning of the theft was incidental after Ohtani’s name turned up during an investigation into Michael Bowyer.

“Millions” of dollars involved in illegal sports betting investigation

Two sources told the newspaper that “millions of dollars” were involved. Federal agents “raided” Bowyer’s Orange County, California. home last year as part of an illegal sports betting investigation, and the Times discovered Ohtani’s name came up in that investigation.

According to an ESPN report, $4.5m was wired out of Ohtani’s acco..

March 20, 2024

New Washington, DC bill would allow competitive digital sports betting market

A DC councilman, Kenyan McDuffie, has filed a bill that would allow for an open, competitive market in the nation's capital, where consumers currently have only a single choice for online sports betting.

The bill would create a new Class C licence, under which operators could offer online sports betting citywide.

Currently, the only platform available throughout the district is GambetDC, which has been under fire almost since it was launched. Operated by Intralot on behalf of the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG), the platform has a reputation for uncompetitive odds, limited markets and difficult usability.

It is common knowledge among stakeholders that consumers cross the border to Maryland and Virginia – both of which offer at least 10 online sportsbooks – for a bigger selection. BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook also offer digital sports betting in the district, but are limited to doing so at their partners’ sports stadiums and within a two-block radius.

GambetDC has brought..

March 20, 2024

Sportradar nears upper end of FY23 revenue guidance with US growth

Sportradar generated €877.6m (£749.6m/$951.5m) in revenue over its 2023 financial year, nearing the upper end of its guidance range thanks to growth in the US.

Revenue was up by 20.2% year-on-year to €877.6m, with Sportradar’s annual outlook for 2023 initially setting a revenue target of €870m to €880m. Revenue growth was powered by increases of 30.0% in the US and 20.0% in Sportradar’s rest of world category.

Significant revenue growth led Sportradar to a total profit from continuing operations of €34.6m, up 229.5% from 2022’s total profit of €10.5m. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 32.6% year-on-year to €166.8m, close to exceeding Sportradar’s outlook range of €162m-€167m.

Adjusted EBITDA margin jumped 177 basis points from 2022 to 19.0%, with Sportradar attributing this to strong operating leverage from sports rights and personnel costs.

As of 31 December 2023, Sportradar had €497.2m in available liquidity, including und..

March 20, 2024

US Representative Tonko to file bill requiring federal approval for states to offer wagering

Yesterday (19 March), US Representative Paul Tonko announced that he plans to file a bill that will limit sports betting advertising, ban funding wagering accounts with credit cards and prohibit the use of the phrases “no sweat” or “bonus” in promotional advertising.

What he didn’t highlight is that the bill would also “establish a general prohibition on sports betting” and require states to get permission from the federal government in order to offer legal sports betting.

Since the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, more than 35 US jurisdictions now offer some form of legal sports betting.

Tonko’s proposal would ultimately require US jurisdictions to get approval from the Department of Justice in order to offer sports betting, according to an outline of the proposed bill. Those wishing to offer sports betting would have to file an application with the US attorney general and prove that they meet a list of r..

March 20, 2024

NCAA launches ‘Draw the Line’ gambling education campaign

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced the launch of “Draw the Line”, a new campaign aimed at educating student-athletes about sports betting and the risk of gambling-related harm.

The launch of Draw the Line coincides with week one of the 2024 Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. This, the NCAA said, is one of the busiest times of the year for betting in the US.

Draw the Line will run across social media channels, raising awareness of the dangers related to sports betting. NCAA member schools and conferences will also have access to a toolkit and supporting resources.

Underage betting and integrity issues for NCAA

Sports betting is now legal in over 30 states and, according to the NCAA, more than half of college-age students have bet on sports at least once in the previous year.

Further research by the NCAA founded 67% of 18- to 22-year-olds on college campuses have taken part in sports wagering. This is of some concern, given that i..

March 20, 2024

Pennsylvania igaming revenue reaches record $184.9m in February

Online gambling revenue in Pennsylvania hit a record $184.9m (£145.3m/€170.1m) during February, although the state reported year-on-year declines across almost all other markets.

Total gambling revenue in February amounted to $499.1m. This was 9.3% ahead of $456.8m in Pennsylvania last year but 1.6% behind $464.4m in January this year.

Retail slots remain the largest source of revenue in the Keystone State, generating $202.7m, only marginally lower year-on-year. This was despite a decline in the total number of slot machines from 25,708 to 24,962.

Elsewhere in the retail sector, revenue from land-based table games increased by 2.9% to $76.6m.

Online slots and table games growth in February

Turning to the Pennsylvania online market and total igaming revenue was 40.5% higher at $184.9m, compared to $131.6m in 2023.

Online slots revenue jumped 35.6% to $125.9m, while internet table games revenue hiked 56.7% to $56.6m. There was, however, a slight decline in online poker revenue, wi..

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