Legal Sports Report

Legal happenings from around the US and UK lead the news around the sports betting landscape this week, including a disgraced former NFL employee suing FanDuel (00:46), the ongoing battle over the 2018 FanDuel sale (6:58), DraftKings winning a round against its former head of VIP (13:54), and a settlement between the SEC and DraftKings (18:26).

Lachlan Murdoch spoke this week about whether or not his company will exercise its option to purchase nearly a 20% stake in FanDuel before the opportunity expires. Plus, another opposition group appears to work against the Missouri online sports betting initiative (5:39), the industry pushes back against the latest version of a federal sports betting bill (10:04), and house rules remain important to read (19:05).

As Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season arrives, the crew discusses how many ads we'll see during the games, whether sportsbooks will send promos to retain existing customers while trying to recruit new ones, and which sports betting operators face the most important tests as the biggest time of the year arrives for their bottom lines.

A mysterious lawsuit challenging the online Missouri sports betting ballot measure appears, but no one is certain who is behind it. Plus, DraftKings goes shopping (7:21), an NFLPA lawsuit against the crown is even bigger than expected (13:58), a suit over alleged deceptive sportsbook marketing moves forward (17:53), and another illegal bookie meets justice (22:28).

Sealed court documents show that the NFL Players Association is suing DraftKings for a potential breach of contract, but which one? Plus, sportsbooks put millions more dollars into the effort to legalize sports betting in Missouri (6:18), Nebraska's chance at passing a bill in 2024 dies (9:10), the AGA wants regulators to look into sweeps (11:23), and Massachusetts gets serious about talking limits (15:58).

The plan for a DraftKings surcharge on winning bettors in high-tax states lasted just 13 days, as the company abandoned the idea shortly after FanDuel declined to match it. Plus, Missouri will vote on legalizing sports betting this fall (16:04), Nebraska might do the same (18:08), and Intralot might be in legal trouble in Washington DC (23:49).

Everything You Need To Know About DraftKings Surcharge (01:08), Legal Sports Report revenue analyst Eric Ramsey joins the pod crew to break down his analysis of how much money DraftKings could make by implementing a surcharge on winning bettors in higher-tax states. Also, a debate on whether legislators are to blame for high tax rates and whether FanDuel will follow the footsteps of DraftKings with its own fee (19:16).

A special legislative session in Nebraska is underway, with online sports betting legalization up for discussion. Plus, a Missouri ballot measure takes a key step (3:52), the latest poll on iGaming in New York shows support (7:09), and a move by PrizePicks raises questions about whether the company wants to buy or sell (12:46).

Superbook decided to end its US operations outside Las Vegas last week. Why couldn't one of the most recognized names in Las Vegas make more of an impact? Plus, a new entrant in sports betting and iGaming comes to PA (11:18), what comes next for VSiN after DraftKings sold it back (15:43), and a recap of the NCLGS Summer Conference in Pittsburgh (23:52).

With publicly traded operators in sports betting set to report earnings for Q2 2024, Matthew Waters joins the show to preview what to expect for PENN, DKNG, CZR, MGM, and others. Plus, what in the world is going on in Washington, D.C., where a budget snafu has the market on hold (24:51).

Two more brands decide to call it quits after trying to make a dent in the US sports betting market. What does it mean for the bigger players? Plus, the latest developments in the Jontay Porter NBA scandal (13:11), why a new acquisition shows Caesars is better understanding its situation (20:15), and a New Jersey legislator starting the long climb toward reversing a betting ban (26:25).

A wild lawsuit targeting DraftKings and a prominent professional sports bettor drops in New York, leading to larger discussion around how sharps get action down at sportsbooks. Plus, MGM makes a big purchase for its international business (13:34), DC finally moves past its sports betting folly (18:33), and UK election betting scandals offer a cautionary tale in the US (22:10).

The US Supreme Court chose not to hear a challenge to the Florida gaming compact that paved the way for Hard Rock Bet to launch. What could that mean for tribes in other states? Plus, Boyd shows interest in acquiring Penn (8:00), Massachusetts goes back to the limits discussion (12:57), and more states take action against a major offshore sportsbook (21:23).

The new president of the NCAA made an interesting comment about the legalization of sports betting in the United States this week at a conference. Also, the crew talks about what the legislative prospects look like for Texas in 2025 (8:02) and an analyst's thoughts on what tiers sports betting operators fall into in the US (12:08).

Another legislative session comes to a quiet end for people hoping for sports betting to become legal. Then, the crew dives deep into the failed Massachusetts roundtable on sports betting limits (8:11), as well as laying out a path for an informed and productive discussion on how to strike compromise between bettors and books (11:32).

The crew leads off their discussion with the latest from the Minnesota sports betting debate, then talks about this year's SBC (0:49), which topics were hottest on the floor (4:46), and how responsible gambling could shape future discussions throughout the North American sports betting and iGaming industries (10:09).

Comments from Caesars CEO Tom Reeg at a recent gaming conference raise the specter of federal regulation around responsible gambling. Also, the crew talks about a win for DraftKings in court (9:50), a major concern for a Las Vegas casino in the Ippei Mizuhara gambling scandal (15:50), and a familiar fate for sports betting legislation in Mississippi (22:20).

Ohio reverses course and grants an NCAA request to ban college player prop betting. Is that where the push for more restriction starts or where it ends? Plus, the latest on pick'em game bans around the country (11:05), a legislative roundup from a number of states (11:31), and what a DFS deal in Texas means for the future there (22:03).

PrizePicks and Underdog this week relaunched pick'em games in Florida as peer-to-peer instead of against the house. Is that model the future for the controversial games? Plus, why one analyst sees upside for Penn in ESPN Bet (6:40), Entain and MGM aligned on the future of BetMGM (13:05), and Minnesota going from promising to puzzling once again (17:40).