Alberta Explores Responsible Online Gaming Expansion
Alberta has allocated $1 million in its 2024 budget to evaluate the possibility of expanding its regulated gaming and betting market. The province plans to initiate discussions with industry stakeholders later this year, although no specific timeline has been announced. These consultations will involve traditional casino operators, Racing Entertainment Centre operators, and First Nations communities to explore opportunities for expanding online gaming in Alberta responsibly. The government aims to develop an online gaming strategy that aligns with the unique characteristics of Alberta’s gaming market while prioritizing responsible gaming practices. Currently, online gambling in Alberta is limited to the government-owned platform, PlayAlberta, managed by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). Advocates for a regulated market argue that opening up the industry to third-party operators within a legal framework could generate significant revenue for the province, similar to the success seen in Ontario. However, the approach Alberta will take remains uncertain, and the consultations will also focus on working closely with Indigenous communities, acknowledging their importance in the province’s gaming landscape. Premier Danielle Smith’s mandate emphasizes the importance of collaborating with Indigenous partners in developing and implementing Alberta’s online gaming strategy while prioritizing responsible gaming practices and revenue generation for both provincial and Indigenous communities.
FanDuel Introduces ‘FanDuel TV Extra’ FAST Channel
US gambling giant FanDuel has introduced a new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel called ‘FanDuel TV Extra’ across multiple platforms, including Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Xumo Play, Plex, and FanDuel TV+. This channel will offer live sports coverage, original studio shows, interviews, and analysis focusing on major leagues like the NFL and NBA, along with horse racing, poker, soccer from Korea’s K-League, and Professional Darts Corporation tournaments. Additionally, it will stream live action from basketball leagues such as the Chinese Basketball Association, Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga, Turkey’s Basketball Super League, and the Basketball Champions League Americas. The launch of ‘FanDuel TV Extra’ follows the 2022 introduction of FanDuel TV, the company’s linear television station and OTT video platform, aimed at promoting its sportsbook. According to FanDuel, ‘FanDuel TV Extra’ offers more live sports coverage than any other FAST channel currently available, catering to sports enthusiasts and bettors. Kevin Grigsby, executive producer and senior vice president of FanDuel TV, emphasized the importance of reaching new audiences and expanding the distribution of FanDuel TV content through ‘FanDuel TV Extra.’ FanDuel plans to further extend the reach of ‘FanDuel TV Extra’ by adding it to other leading FAST providers in the near future. This development comes amidst shareholders of Flutter, FanDuel’s parent company, supporting a proposal to shift the primary listing from the London Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange, expected to take effect by the end of May.
Minnesota Committee Advances Sports Betting Bill
The Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee has given the green light to a bill aiming to legalize sports betting in the state, alongside prohibiting certain gambling devices at horse racing tracks. With just six legislative days remaining in the current session, lawmakers face a time crunch to pass the bill. The committee merged the language of HF2000, focusing on sports betting, with bill HF5274, which bans historical horse race wagering machines. Representative Zack Stephenson, sponsor of both bills, contends that legalizing sports betting is crucial to curbing illegal gambling activities, stating that it happens extensively despite being unlawful. The proposed legislation includes granting licenses to 11 tribal nations for retail sportsbooks on tribal lands, permitting mobile betting only within tribal territories, setting the legal age limit at 21, allowing eSports betting, while prohibiting horse race wagering through sportsbooks and betting on youth sports. Additionally, some forms of fantasy contest betting are allowed, with a 20% tax proposed on sports betting revenue.
UK Gambling Commission Implements Safety Reforms
The UK’s Gambling Commission has implemented significant changes to bolster safety and empower consumers in the gambling industry, aligning with the Government’s High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age White Paper. These changes address various crucial aspects aimed at promoting responsible gambling practices and safeguarding customers. Key initiatives include financial vulnerability checks targeting online customers with net deposits exceeding £500 per month, starting from August 30, 2024, and gradually reducing to £150 by February 28, 2025. Additionally, a pilot program for frictionless financial risk assessments seeks to identify and address risks associated with high-spending accounts. The Commission also mandates improvements in age verification protocols and consumer choice in direct marketing for online gambling, effective from January 17, 2025. Furthermore, land-based licensees will conduct age verification test purchasing to enhance processes. While the industry has responded positively, challenges remain, particularly in implementing frictionless financial risk assessments and reducing net deposit thresholds. Nonetheless, the Commission’s phased approach underscores its commitment to balancing consumer protection and industry adaptability, with stakeholders anticipating a more robust framework for responsible gambling and enhanced consumer safety as these measures take effect.
Regulators Struggle to Keep Pace with Daily Fantasy Sports Expansion
Regulators are facing challenges in keeping up with the rapid expansion and evolving offerings of daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators, leading to ambiguity in determining which games qualify as skill-based and which as gambling. A panel of experts at SBC Summit North America emphasized the importance of collaboration between operators and regulators to establish clearer guidelines and avoid legal disputes. Derek Schmidt, representing PrizePicks, highlighted the need for uniform statutes and regulations across states to minimize gray areas and facilitate compliance efforts. Andromeda Morrison of the Ohio Casino Control Commission stressed the necessity of clear regulations to delineate permissible practices for both DFS and sports betting operators, encouraging open dialogue between regulators and operators to ensure compliance. Justin Stempeck from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission emphasized the value of proactive communication with regulatory bodies to prevent costly mistakes, suggesting that engaging in dialogue is more cost-effective than legal disputes.
Globo Enters Advanced Talks with BetMGM for Brazil Sports Betting
In Brazil, Globo, a prominent media entity, is reportedly in advanced talks with BetMGM, the sports betting and iGaming joint venture between MGM Resorts and Entain, regarding a partnership for sports betting operations in the country, as revealed by Sports MKT. Globo, listed under the name DFS Entretenimento LTDA, has expressed interest, alongside MGM’s subsidiary, MGM Casino Next Lion, LLC, among 134 companies to the Ministry of Finance. However, should this partnership come to fruition, they will need to adhere to the requirements outlined in Law 14.790/2023, including paying a concession fee of BRL 30 million. This potential collaboration exemplifies a broader trend in Brazil’s emerging sports betting market, where other media conglomerates and foreign bookmakers are also exploring similar ventures. For instance, Bandeirantes has reportedly made significant progress in negotiations with OpenBet, a company under the U.S. group Endeavor, according to reports from the column Broadcast de Estadão.
PGA Championship Partners with ESPN BET
The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America and PENN Entertainment have forged a partnership, making ESPN BET the official sports betting sponsor of the PGA Championship for the next three years, marking the first time a major golf event has secured a sports betting sponsor. This collaboration aims to elevate spectator engagement through innovative on-site activations and content creation, while also providing ESPN BET extensive branding opportunities and access to a growing audience of sports betting enthusiasts. The 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club will showcase dedicated hospitality spaces for ESPN BET account holders, promising an immersive experience for golf fans.
