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Michael Franzese, former caporegime of the Colombo Crime Family, isn’t sold on this whole regulated sports betting thing. Michael Franzese went from wise guy to nice guy, saving his wisdom for motivational speeches at Church conferences. (image: YouTube) As reported by the New Haven Register, the ex-wise guy told attendees at an online discussion on sports integrity for the University of New Haven that Connecticut’s legalization of betting has him “worried.” In mid-March, after two years of hitting a brick wall, the state’s two federally recognized tribes reached a deal with Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont that will allow gambling expansion that includes sports betting. In return, their Mohegan Sun and …

Washington State’s slow road to debuting regulated sports betting appears to have a launch date: The start of the 2021 NFL season. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll during a 2020 game. Washington is aiming to have sports betting ready for the 2021 season. (Image: The Athletic) In February 2020, policymakers in the Pacific Northwest state signed off on sports betting at tribal casinos, putting the state in the “legal” column. However, it’s yet to join the “live” category, even as several other states approved and started accepting regulated sports wagers over that span. At issue is the treatment of online betting, which Washington deems a felony. …

During the NFL AFC Divisional Round playoff game between the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs in January, a technical glitch on the BetMGM online sportsbook platform ended up costing the operator more than $10,000. Patrick Mahomes (left) and Baker Mayfield meet on the field following the Chiefs and Browns game in Cleveland in 2018. An error on BetMGM during their NFL rematch this year cost the sportsbook over $10,000. (Image: Getty) A glitch, or perhaps a typo, resulted in the sportsbook offering rather attractive player prop bets on the two quarterbacks — Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. BetMGM set an over/under of 300 passing yards for …

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has reached a deal with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to expand its Class III gaming compact privileges. The Florida Legislature, however, must first sign off on the contract. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fist bumps legislators last month before delivering his State of the State address. The governor has come to terms with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling. (Image: AP) The headline is that DeSantis and the powerful tribe have reached a deal to legalize sports betting. The agreement would allow the tribe’s six casinos across the state to incorporate sportsbooks into their facilities. They can also operate online sports betting through partnerships with interactive …

MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) is one of the largest operators of land-based casinos in the world, managing some of the most well-known venues on the Las Vegas Strip and elsewhere. But it’s internet gaming and sports wagering that has some analysts aflutter. The sportsbook at MGM Grand Las Vegas. Analysts see BetMGM driving MGM stock higher. (Image: Las Vegas Review-Journal) MGM stock is up 29.32 percent year-to-date, good for one of the best performances among large-cap gaming equities. It’s a sign that investors are buying into the notion that the BetMGM business is a force to be reckoned with in the iGaming and sports betting spaces. On Wednesday, the operator …

As Caesars Entertainment announced Thursday that it closed on the purchase of sportsbook operator William Hill PLC, it also marked the end of an era, as Joe Asher, the CEO of William Hill’s US operations, has stepped down. Joe Asher (center) helps cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of William Hill’s retail sportsbook at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa in August 2019. On Thursday, Asher stepped down as the CEO of sportsbook operator’s US operations. (Image: Casino.org) Katie Carano Miller, Caesars senior vice president for communications and government relations, confirmed the move to Casino.org. We wish him the very best,” she said in an email. “Our new William Hill …

Louisiana is on pace to have fantasy sports contests by the start of this year’s football season, according to a state official. The LSU Tiger mascot gestures during a parade in Baton Rouge. Sports betting is expected to be popular in the state, where teams like the Tigers have active fan bases. (Image: Action Network) Maj. Chuck McNeal of the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division said to the Monroe, La., News-Star that two companies have applied to operate fantasy sports in the state. He said he anticipates a start date within several months. It will definitely happen before the fall, as long as my investigators are getting all the …

Sports betting data provider Genius Sports (NYSE:GENI) is entering the free-to-play (F2P) games arena with the purchase of FanHub Media Holdings. Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke speaking at a conference. His company is buying FanHub Media Holdings. (Image: Twitter) Financial terms of the deal, which was announced today, weren’t disclosed. London-based Genius didn’t say if the acquisition will add to earnings. The transaction is slated to close in the current quarter. As part of the transaction, Genius Sports will also acquire FanHub’s suite of F2P games, including fantasy sports, trivia, bracket challenges, pick ’em, and polling games,” according to a statement issued by the companies. “These will complement Genius Sports’ …

DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) stock is trading modestly higher Monday with the help of a sell-side upgrade. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins pictured above. Research firm Cowen sees appreciation coming for the stock. (Image: Getty Images) Cowen analyst Stephen Glagola boosted his rating on the daily fantasy sports (DFS) provider to “outperform” from “market perform,” while lifting his price target on the name to $70. That implies upside of 23.5 percent from the April 30 close. In his new enthusiasm for the stock, Glagola cites a familiar catalyst. Current legalization trends suggest to us that the 2H:21-FY22 period remains robust, and could result in DKNG being live in states representing up to 51.2% …

DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) stock is mired in a slump. But that’s not preventing some analysts from sticking with or starting new bullish outlooks on the name. A DraftKings sign in Boston. Guggenheim analyst Curry Baker sees big upside for the stock. (Image: Boston Globe) Guggenheim analyst Curry Baker initiated coverage of the sportsbook operator today with a “buy” rating and a $75 price target. That’s slightly above the Wall Street consensus of $73.27, but still implies potential upside of 30.5 percent from the April 29 close. In what’s one of the rosier forecasts to date, Baker says the combined North American iGaming and online sports betting markets could eventually be worth …