iGaming Weekly Recap (December 16–22): Sports Betting at the Center of Senate Hearing
This past week was largely dominated by the Senate hearing on the impact of sports betting. While there were a few unnecessary tangents and some unrelated heated exchanges, Senator Dick Durbin, who chaired the hearing, assured that Tuesday’s discussion was a strong starting point for further conversations on the topic. But that wasn’t the only big news. South Carolina is making another attempt to legalize sports betting, a new bill is proposing a ban on election betting, and Missouri revealed a tentative launch date for its market. Well, looks like 2025 certainly won’t be dull…
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the impact of legalizing sports betting in the U.S., covering issues like harassment of athletes over prop bets, the rise in gambling addiction, and the role of major companies like FanDuel and DraftKings. A big topic was the SAFE Bet Act, a proposed federal law to create nationwide standards for the industry, which drew criticism from supporters of state-level regulation. The hearing highlighted the ongoing debate over whether sports betting should be overseen federally or by individual states. The American Gaming Association also voiced concern about the lack of industry representation among the witnesses.
Jan Zimmerman, Chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission, announced that the goal is to launch sports betting before the start of the 2025 football season. The commission is working on drafting regulations for sports betting, developing a licensing process for both retail and online operators, and reviewing best practices from other states where sports betting is already up and running.
A new bipartisan bill in the U.S. aims to ban betting on election outcomes. The proposal is driven by concerns over potential manipulation, erosion of trust in the democratic process, and risks to election integrity. The bill includes an amendment to the Commodity Exchange Act. Critics point to the massive sums wagered on the 2024 elections and the risk of gambling addiction. The proposed measure seeks to protect the integrity of elections and bolster public confidence in the process.
South Carolina’s HB 3625 bill aims to legalize sports betting, proposing eight licenses for online platforms, licensing fees, and a 12.5% tax on revenue. The bill requires a constitutional amendment and is designed to generate additional revenue for the state budget. Despite opposition from anti-gambling advocates, bipartisan support and potential financial benefits improve the bill’s chances of passing. The proposal is currently awaiting review by the committee.
The British sportsbook Bet365 has secured a license to operate in Illinois, becoming the tenth online operator in this lucrative market. Bet365’s entry intensifies competition with industry giants like FanDuel and DraftKings. Illinois is known for its high taxes on sports betting revenue, presenting a challenge for operators. Partnering with Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort gives Bet365 both an online platform and a physical presence in the state. The company continues its expansion in the U.S., where it is already active in 12 states.
Bonus: A Look Ahead to 2025
As we wrap up 2024, the conversation around the role and impact of sports betting in the U.S. is only getting louder. The recent Senate hearing is a clear sign of how far the industry has come, grabbing the attention of federal lawmakers. Talks about federal regulations are picking up steam, with proposals like the SAFE Bet Act and the NCLGS-drafted Model Internet Gaming Act hinting that the states’ free rein over sports betting might not last forever.
Meanwhile, discussions about the risks tied to sports betting—raised recently by the WHO—are also becoming harder to ignore.
Sports betting has undeniably entered the mainstream, as many articles and newsletters have already pointed out, sparking national debates and making its rapid growth impossible to overlook. But let’s face it: going mainstream might bring as many challenges as opportunities for operators. It’s a topic we’re sure to revisit many times in 2025.
For now, Weekly Recap is taking a short holiday break, but don’t worry—we’ll be back in January with plenty of fresh updates from the industry!
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