Law and Politics

DraftKings has launched the first retail sportsbook in New Hampshire at The Brook in Seabrook. (Image: DraftKings)

Online Sports Betting Update: Connecticut and Texas File New Bills

In the wake of the pandemic, more states are pushing through online sports betting bills. Connecticut, which had a number of bills fail in previous sessions, may finally have a winner. Even gambling-averse Texas recently filed an online sports betting bill. A number of states rushed to legalize sports betting […]

Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines resemble slot machines, which are banned in Kentucky. They provided $2.2 billion to Kentucky's economy in 2019 and are a major economic engine for the state's key Thoroughbred industry. (Image: Canadian Thoroughbred Magazine)

Kentucky Supreme Court Rejects HHR Appeal, Lawmakers Up Next?

In the latest salvo fired in the ongoing debate about historical horse racing (HHR) machines in Kentucky, the state’s Supreme Court denied an appeal from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission requesting a second opinion on the legality of those machines. The Kentucky Supreme Court refused to reconsider its Sept. 24 […]

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is one of two governors signing daily fantasy sports bills into law this month. (Image: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Critics Raise Concerns Over New York’s Approach to Online Sports Betting

New York appears ready to finally legalize online sports betting within its borders, but critics warn the state’s approach won’t be great for consumers. With the state facing an $8.7 billion deficit brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo softened his stance on online wagering. He plans to […]

Online Sports Gambling in Michigan Set to Go Live This Week

Online Sports Gambling in Michigan Set to Go Live This Week

The wait is over for Michiganders as Richard Kalm, executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), said he expects the state to flip the switch for online sports betting within the next few days, and as soon as Tuesday night. Kalm noted Tuesday that final preparations in anticipation […]

Governor Andrew Cuomo has asked a state gaming board to reconsider recommending a fourth casino for upstate New York. (Image: Getty Images)

Gambling Stocks Jump After NY Gov. Cuomo Endorses Online Betting

Several gambling stocks saw notable increases in share price this week after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he’s OK with legalizing online sports betting in his state to help make up a budget shortfall. Cuomo has long been an opponent of allowing online sports betting, but New York is […]

Bettors wagering on President-Elect Joe Biden got the point with decent odds compared to his chances of winning. As for stubborn Donald Trump bettors, they felt like they were hit by a fist when he didn't repeat his upset victory of 2016. (Image: AP left/New York Times right)

Online Sportsbook Gives Dogged Trump Bettors A Break From Losing

With President Donald Trump and his bettors apparent losers at the ballot box and at the betting window, the 2020 US Presidential election was as big a dream for bookmakers as the 2016 election was a nightmare. Yet one overseas bookmaker bucked the trend and got off the gravy train. […]

Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) helped shepherd the bipartisan Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act into law. HISA became law late Sunday night when President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion spending bill that included the legislation. (Image: Lucas Willard/WAMC)

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Bill Becomes Law

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 officially became law Sunday night when President Donald Trump signed the $2.3 trillion omnibus spending bill. That bill provided $900 billion for COVID-19 relief, along with keeping the US government operating. HISA was part of that bill. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and […]

Next summer's high-profile stakes races at Saratoga will be Lasix free under a re-instituted ban on the anti-bleeding medication in all New York Racing Association stakes races. (Image: NYRA)

New York Becomes Latest State Banning Lasix in Stakes Races

The New York Racing Association became the latest racing organization to ban the use of furosemide (Lasix) for stakes races when it announced the prohibition of Lasix use within 48 hours of all NYRA stakes races. The new rule takes effect Jan. 1. Instituted by the New York State Gaming […]

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) discusses the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Kentucky Republican Congressman Andy Barr (left) and Breeders' Cup President Drew Fleming were key supporters of the bill. (Image: Keeneland)

Congress Passes Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, a bill once thought dead, passed in the US Senate late Monday night, taking up a small part of a $1.4 trillion government funding bill that included $900 billion for COVID-19 relief. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill, which the House […]

Last week, Las Vegas Sands announced the temporary closing of its Palazzo tower suites. (Image: Las Vegas Sands)

Sheldon Adelson is Pushing for Sands Casinos in Texas

When the Texas Legislature kicks off its January session, it will be greeted by a bevy of top-notch casino lobbyists. Sheldon Adelson is sending his best and brightest to the Lone Star State, with the goal to legalize gambling. Texas has been a gambling holdout. But the pandemic’s toll on […]

Indiana Sports Gambling Sets Another Record in November

Indiana Sports Gambling Sets Another Record in November

Online sports wagers helped Indiana break the quarter-billion-dollar barrier in November as potentially shady casino execs are keeping the state’s gaming commission on its toes. The $251 million total handle is up almost 9% from October’s $231 million, capping off a record-setting fall of betting in the Hoosier State, according […]

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he is opposed to legalizing mobile sports betting in his state. (Image: Dennis Nett)

New York Online Sports Betting Could Soon Become Reality

A New York assemblyman says the state’s next revenue bill will include an online sports betting component, which could see a vote before the end of the year. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow told PlayNY that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie solidified his commitment to include online sports betting in a revenue bill […]