Casino Player September 2022

The house doesn't beat the player. It just gives him an opportunity to beat himself. —Pro gambler, Nick Dandolos ” “

Maryland Mobile Sports Betting Won’t Launch in Time for Football Season D espite legalizing retail and online sports betting in December 2021,Maryland sports fans won’t be able to wager by cell phone or computer anytime soon.The state’s Sports Wagering andApplication Review Commission (SWARC) offered an update on the regulation process inAugust and it doesn’t look promising for mobile wagering going live anytime soon. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has expressed frustrations with the process and urged the commission to approve mobile wagering in time for the NFL season.That apparently isn’t going to happen and it looks as if Marylanders won’t be able to wager on a Ravens game even by the end of the year. “Staff hopes Marylanders can bet on the Super Bowl on a mobile platform,”Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency COO Jim Nielsen said in the meeting. Several hurdles stand in the way, according to regulators, including a sports betting industry analysis and committee review.That, along with regulation recommendations,would then need further approval by a legislative committee.After that, there would be a 45-day window for online sports betting applicants to apply for a license.The committee then has 45 days to review applicants. That could leave Maryland with the longest process of any state legalizing mobile wagering. With 80–90 percent of bettors making wagers online,Hogan pointed out the obvious regarding the situation in a letter to the committee in June. “Instead of decisive action to implement the voters’ decision, you have allowed the process to stagnate and become mired in overly bureaucratic procedures that have needlessly delayed the state’s ability to maximize the revenue potential of this emerging industry,”he wrote.“Sports fans in Maryland simply want to be able to place bets on their mobile devices—that’s what they voted for, and they are angry and discouraged over SWARC’s inability to make it happen.”

Bally’s Teams UpWithYankees

T he New York Yankees are quite a prize for any sports betting operator looking to partner with one of the biggest franchises in sports. InAugust, Bally’s announced a partnership with the storied franchise designating Bally Bet as an official sports betting partner of the 27-timeWorld Series champions. The deal marked Bally’s first team partnership in NewYork after becoming the ninth online sports betting operator in the state in July. Bally’s receives use of Yankees trademarks and various marketing inside Yankee Stadium.Additionally, the company receives an in-game feature on the centerfield video board and more.The company also becomes an official daily fantasy sports partner (Monkey Knife Fight), iGaming partner (Bally Casino), and free-play gaming partner (Bally Play). Bally’s Casino Atlantic City also becomes a partner with the team as well. “This is a great partnership that will give Bally Bet and our other Bally’s Interactive brands terrific visibility in New York,” Bally’s Interactive North America COO Adi Dhandhania said.“The Yankees’ history as a franchise and their popularity as a global brand speaks for itself.” The deal adds to Bally’s growing sports and media footprint.The company is now operating in six states and is an authorized gaming operator with MLB, NHL, NBA andWNBA. Bally’s also partners with Nashville Predators, Phoenix Mercury and Cleveland Browns.

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