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Sports betting roundup

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Also on Friday, state Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, was among several legislators to send Pritzker and the legislative leaders a letter arguing the sports betting and gaming expansion bills don’t have “any meaningful provision or requirement for minority participation.”

“As our leaders, we look to you to see to it that everyone gets a seat at the table,” the letter says. “Unless the sports betting and gaming legislation includes provisions with some real teeth to ensure minority participation, we are not going to support it and cannot vote for it.”

As I told subscribers the other day, that letter was circulated by a contract lobbyist for Rivers Casino Chairman Neil Bluhm. Bluhm, you will recall, has been attempting to block the fantasy sports companies from entering the online sports betting marketplace for three years. Bluhm’s lobbyist flatly denied any connection between his work for Bluhm and the letter (he has worked for the Black Caucus Foundation in the past).

* But…

State Rep. Bob Rita, a Democrat from Blue Island, who has been leading casino expansion negotiations, said that has been taken into consideration.

“Working through all of the different issues, we’ve always had language that pertain to the minority participation, from day one in whatever versions we have been filing throughout the years,” he said.

* Meanwhile…

[Rep. Mike Zalewski] was pushing for a “penalty box” on FanDuel and DraftKings, due to allegedly pushing their daily fantasy sports offerings illegally in the state. This would see them not being able to offer sports betting in Illinois for a total of three years. […]

As part of the amended bill, Zalewski is trying to now have all online sports betting being part of a penalty box. This would mean that there would be no online sports betting inside of 540 days [18 months] of the bill passage. […]

For casinos and racetracks, there would be 26 licenses up for grabs. These would cost $5m each, or they would pay 5% of their adjusted gross receipts. Those operating online would pay $25m for one of the two available licenses.

Sports facilities could pay $10m to obtain one of the seven available licenses. Finally, lottery retailers could obtain a license, with a central provider having to pay a license fee of $20m.

Each of these licenses would be valid for five years. The renewal cost would then be only $1m going forward.

* Other stuff…

* House Democrats plan link casino expansion to sports betting

* Riverboat Casinos Could Be Allowed in Rockford if Illinois Lawmakers Pass “Omnibus” Gambling Bill

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 10:37 am

Comments

–Bluhm’s lobbyist flatly denied any connection between his work for Bluhm and the letter (he has worked for the Black Caucus Foundation in the past).–

Something-something about my shoes and telling me it’s raining.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 10:48 am
Since the SCOTUS ruling that enabled states like Illinois to begin accepting sports wagers, we’ve allowed an entire NFL season - and the associated revenue - to escape. Let’s not do that again.

Comment by Can Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 10:55 am
I am woefully ignorant of the new technology, but wouldn’t it be easier to have lottery agents accept sports bets?

You know, you stop by the 7-11 and get a couple of quick picks and take the Cubs over the Cards for $25. Easy-peasy lemon squeazy.

Aren’t lottery agents vetted? The terminals are secure and widely available, give the seller a 1% commission and boom, we’re done here.

What am I missing?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 11:02 am
47th- Unless it was a cash only lottery transaction, it would likely be prohibited under the federal Wire Act. The Wire Act allows lottery transactions but prohibits sports betting unless that transactions are intra-state. Credit, debt and checking products use complex settlement webs that cross state lines.

Comment by No Dog in the Hunt Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 11:19 am
Far out No Dog. Thanks for the info.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 11:24 am
No dog…

I have only ever paid cash for the lottery at a convenience store.

Comment by Ok Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 11:44 am
You can use credit cards for lottery tickets? I’ve never heard of that. I always assumed people just paid cash.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 11:58 am
OK, lottery has a carve out in the Wire Act, sports betting doesn’t.

Comment by No Dog in the Hunt Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 12:07 pm
I have bought lotto tickets with a card. Some locations do not allow you to use a card though.

In regards to the post, I have been to the Fan Duel sports book in Jersey and it was awesome. It would be a shame if they were locked out of the market. They have a lot of experience and provide a fun environment. The bill is pointless if they lock out mobile gaming as well. The less licenses they allow and locations they limit, the less revenue this bill will provide. I think this could be a huge boost down in the Metro East to get people from Missouri to come over.

Comment by MetroEast Bluedog Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 12:23 pm
Eliminate the penalty box nonsense. Let them all compete. All in the gaming industry have certain special advantages others do not have, so they should all dry their eyes and move forward.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 12:42 pm
The penalty box nonsense will surely cost this state a small fortune. If you ban any online action you are cutting a huge part of the business away. The online business will go elsewhere while Illinois books will fail.

Can’t get out of our own way on gambling or marijuana. Ridiculous

Comment by Generation X Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 1:56 pm
Sports betting involves bets as games are being played. It would be difficult to run to the convenience store during the game.

Comment by DOC Tuesday, May 28, 19 @ 7:17 pm