For Soccer Ventures (FSV), the recently launched investment team focused on the growth and long-term development of American soccer, today announced the launch of a podcast network dedicated to aggregating the best and most diverse voices in the sport of soccer in America, and a “Preferred Partnership” with Girls Soccer Network – that will see the two companies collaborate on content, production and commercial opportunities.
The first original shows to launch on the FSV network will include “Orange Slices,” hosted by former U.S. Men’s National Team star Heath Pearce and rising American star Mark McKenzie of the Philadelphia Union, as well as the reintroduction of “The Best Soccer Show,” with Sirius XM’s Jason Davis and Jared DuBois.
“There are many diverse voices in American soccer who deserve a new platform to discuss their experiences throughout the vast soccer community. Podcasting has emerged as a megaphone for storytelling, and we’ve recognized that there is no better way to invest in elevating the American soccer story than to give its future leaders the mic,” stated Philadelphia Union Investor and FSV Principal Richie Graham.
“The next decade of soccer in the U.S. will be transformative. Both fans and players alike will be protagonists in leading the growth of the sport throughout this period, and we believe Orange Slices and The Best Soccer Show provide each their space,” said Pearce, Chief Creative Officer at For Soccer Ventures. “Our network will add new, like-minded partners, such as Girls Soccer Network and additional shows launched in the coming months, as we look to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of those who’ve gotten us here, while shining a light on our path forward as a soccer nation.”
The breakdown of the launch shows include:
ORANGE SLICES: Connecting the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. The show will be hosted by former US international and Major League Soccer All-Star Heath Pearce and emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie of Philadelphia Union, this cross-generational variety show will celebrate the past, present, and future of American soccer. Part nostalgia and history, part support for the future of the game, each episode will feature guests from different generations of American soccer sharing stories, insights, and commentary on their soccer experiences. Through rotating segments, the show will take us on a journey through our uniquely American soccer culture, from the muddy fields and halftime orange slices of youth soccer to the biggest games won and lost on the world’s stage.
BEST SOCCER SHOW: Hosted by Sirius XM’s Jason Davis and American soccer devotee Jared DuBois, “Best Soccer Show” is an original blend of entertaining storytelling, quick quips, and sharp commentary that captures the spirit of American soccer fandom. Beloved for its balance of thoughtful insight and humorous candor, each episode explores American soccer’s biggest stories while celebrating our uniquely American brand of the game. From the ups and downs of our national teams to the state of MLS, UEFA and NWSL, the hosts drive dynamic conversations through rotating segments, call-ins from real fans, and interviews with some of the biggest names in the game. Down to Earth and with a big heart, it’s simply America’s Best Soccer Show.
You can download the shows on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and iTunes.
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: Girls Soccer Network (GSN) is a vibrant community for girls and women who love the game of soccer beyond the sidelines of the pitch. Through their digital platform (girlssoccernetwork.com) and social media, the GSN team focuses on creating engaging, empowering and inspirational content that feeds the soccer soul and brings together a culture of “Socceristas” that is positive and unapologetically themselves.
“We’re thrilled to partner with For Soccer Ventures. The leadership team recognizes the enormous opportunity to help support all the thriving women’s soccer communities across the country and to grow the game for future generations.” Said Jen Gruskoff, Founder and Editor-in-Chief @ GSN, “We’ve only scratched the surface from a content and commercial development perspective, and this partnership will help us supercharge our efforts to connect with brands and develop game-changing content platforms”
Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich’s two-run home run in the fourth inning was one of five circuit clouts in the game as the National League topped the American, 7-2, in Strat-O-Matic’s simulation of the All-Star Game Tuesday night. TV host Drew Carey (American) and musician Slim Jim Phantom (National) managed the teams during a live video stream on Wizard World Virtual Experiences.
Fans can watch a replay of the contest on Twitch, Facebook or YouTube.
Yelich’s shot gave the N.L. a 2-0 lead. One out later, Matt Carpenter of St. Louis followed with another blast for a 3-0 edge for Phantom’s squad.
Carey’s Junior Circuit team pulled to within 3-2 in the sixth, but three runs in the bottom of the frame put the game out of reach.
“It’s just great to be part of this,” said Phantom, an avid baseball and Strat-O-Matic fan who hosts a fantasy baseball show on SiriusXM Radio, following the victory. “It’s keeping baseball going. We were all going crazy, and Strat-O-Matic was so helpful, we’ve been able to play fantasy ball all year. The same thing I love about Strat-O-Matic when I was a kid I love about it now.”
“I’ve been playing this game since the ’70s,” added Carey, a member of several Strat-O-Matic leagues, including one with Phantom. “I used to play my brother all the time, some of my fondest memories of growing up and always loved the game.”
Max Scherzer of Washington earned the win with a scoreless inning. Gerrit Cole of the Yankees gave up the three fourth-inning runs and took the loss.
Strat-O-Matic will continue its simulation of the regular season until the teams return to action on the field. Fans can follow the action, updated daily at 2 p.m. ET, at https://www.strat-o-matic.com/2020-season-simulation/.
The Denver Broncos and BetMGM, a market-leading sports betting and gaming platform from ROAR Digital, LLC – the joint venture between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and GVC Holdings (LSE: GVC), announced today that they have entered into a multi-year agreement.
As an official sports betting partner of the Broncos, BetMGM and MGM Resorts will provide premium fan experiences, including a new BetMGM Lounge at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, VIP travel packages, and benefits through MGM Resorts’ loyalty program, M life Rewards. The strategic partnership also includes a free-to-play mobile game, digital marketing assets, and in-stadium promotions and signage.
“This partnership with the Broncos allows us to showcase not only a premier BetMGM sports betting and gaming platform, but also the world-class entertainment experiences delivered by MGM Resorts,” said BetMGM’s Chief Marketing Officer Matt Prevost. “We’re excited to bring both of these to Broncos fans at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium and across the country, while offering BetMGM users new ways to engage with their favorite football team.”
The BetMGM Lounge, located on the Level 1 concourse adjacent to Gate 4 and outside Section 111/112, will allow fans 21 years of age and older access to a full-service premium bar, a luxury lounge, live odds and assistance with BetMGM’s mobile app. Additional in-stadium promotions, highlighted by BetMGM’s season-long First Possession Payoff, will be announced at a later date.
The free-to-play game will be available to Broncos fans directly on The Bronco’s official mobile app. The game will offer eligible fans the opportunity to test their sports prediction skills and win MGM Resorts prizes, including trips to MGM Resorts properties nationwide.
Denver Broncos Chief Commercial Officer Mac Freeman said, “When we began the process of identifying potential partners in this category, our goal was to provide Broncos fans with unique ways to engage with sports betting. Together with BetMGM, we can now offer our fans and M life Rewards members in Colorado new opportunities such as in-stadium gaming lounge, VIP travel packages to MGM Resorts around the country and a free-to-play game through our mobile app.”
BetMGM recently launched in Colorado in partnership with the Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino. The BetMGM mobile app is available for download in Colorado on both iOS and Android. New customers to the BetMGM Colorado app will receive $100 in free bonus credit when placing a first bet of $10 or more on any Denver Broncos Game or Broncos future wager using bonus code BRONCOS at registration. For more information, follow @BetMGM on Twitter.
As baseball prepares for its return to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field this month, some of the standouts from years past take the virtual stage when former Mets Subway Series manager Bobby Valentine, currently A.D. at Sacred Heart University, former Yankees hard-hitting outfielder Roy White, Yankees postseason standout Jim Leyritz, and Amazin’ 1969 Mets World Series champions Ed Kranepool, Ron Swoboda and Art Shamsky appear in a pair of FREE live moderated video Q&A sessions via Wizard World Virtual Experiences (www.wizardworldvirtual.com). Fans can catch Valentine, White and Leyritz on Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. ET, while the ‘69 Mets are live on Thursday, July 16, at 4 p.m. ET.
Shayne Jackson and Lyle Thompson, courtesy Georgia Swarm
The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the longest running and most successful professional lacrosse league in the world, officially announced the 2019-20 NLL Award winners. All awards are voted on by head coaches, general managers, and the League’s Board of Governors.
Like all major sports, the 2019-2020 season was interrupted, and ultimately cut short due to COVID-19. There was over 15 weeks of game play and much success for the players, teams, and fans of NLL’s 13 active franchises—including two competing for the first time this year. All three divisions featured tight races with three or more teams within two games of the lead, the launch of the Alterna Cup Series, and thrilling overtime victories.
“In an unusual year we congratulate such exceptional players coaches and executives,” said NLL Commissioner, Nick Sakiewicz. “At the end of each season we award top performers and they epitomize everything that is good about the game of lacrosse on and off the field. All our leaders and athletes participate in the top lacrosse league in the world, and this year’s winners have distinguished themselves as the best of the best. We look forward to the time when we can present these awards in person and honor each of them with their teammates in front of their home fans.”
Peter Schmitz, President, Professional Lacrosse Players’ Association (PLPA), also shared his praise, “On behalf of the PLPA, I’d like to congratulate all the award winners for their excellence, commitment, and success. We wish to recognize the effort and talent that it takes to win these awards, especially among so many qualified candidates.”
The voting resulted in major award winners representing a wide array of squads, showcasing the competitive balance of talent and high-level competition in the NLL. Earning the Most Valuable Player Award was Shayne Jackson of the Georgia Swarm. Jackson finished the year with 31 goals and 42 assists totaling 73 points while leading the league in even strength assists with 36. Jackson also tied for the league lead in power play goals with 11 and collected 65 loose balls.
The Rookie of the Year was New York Riptide star, Tyson Gibson. Gibson was the first overall selection by the expansion franchise in the 2019 Entry Draft. Gibson scored 16 goals and had 27 assists for 43 points, which led the team in the Riptide’s inaugural season.
For the third year in a row, Georgia Swarm’s Lyle Thompson won the Sportsmanship Award. He is the only NLL player to ever win it three consecutive times since the award debuted in 2002. He continues to represent the sport of lacrosse to the highest degree and tallied 27 goals and 33 assists on the season.
Making it three consecutive seasons, Halifax Thunderbirds stalwart, Graeme Hossack took home Defensive Player of the Year honors. Hossack lead all defensemen in Time on Floor averaging 27:32 per game, over two minutes higher than the next best player, and finished in the top four amongst all defensemen in goals, points, loose balls, and caused turnovers.
Another back-to-back award winner, the Toronto Rock’s Challen Rogers was named Transition Player of the Year. In 11 games, Rogers scored 11 goals and recorded 14 assists while corralling 51 loose balls.
In his first full year as a full-time starter, New England Black Wolves goaltender, Doug Jamieson won the Goaltender of the Year Award. Jamieson led the league in Save Percentage (.829), which is a league record for save percentage, Goals Against Average (8.80) and tied for the league lead in wins with 8.
For the first time in NLL Awards history, the Teammate(s) of the Year honor was a tie to both Dan Dawson, Toronto Rock, and Mike Poulin, Georgia Swarm. Throughout the season, the players exhibited leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to their teammates, communities and the sport.
Philadelphia Wings Head Coach and General Manager, Paul Day received dual honors, winning the Les Bartley Award for Coach of the Year and General Manager of the Year. Day led his squad to an 8-6 record after acquiring Goaltender of the Year finalist Zach Higgins and veteran forward Cory Vitarelli during the offseason, and overseeing the development of second-year stars, Trevor Baptiste and Matt Rambo. Day previously won the Les Bartley Award in 2004 when he helmed the Rochester Knighthawks.
The Tom Borrelli Award Media Member of the Year goes to Craig Rybczynski of the Rochester Knighthawks. As the longest-tenured broadcaster in NLL history, calling over 300 straight games, he provides strategic communications, develops community partnerships and interacts with local, regional and national media
John Catalano, of the Halifax Thunderbirds, was honored as the Executive of the Year, overseeing the day-to-day operations following the franchise’s relocation after a long, successful run in Rochester. John played an instrumental role in what was a successful inaugural season for the franchise, both on and off the floor. His guidance and expertise in sales, integrated marketing, game presentation, broadcast, and community relations have landed Halifax on the map as one of the newest staple franchises in the league.
The complete list of 2019-20 NLL Awards winners are as follows:
Most Valuable Player: Shayne Jackson, Georgia Rookie of the Year: Tyson Gibson, New York Sportsmanship Award: Lyle Thompson, Georgia Defensive Player of the Year: Graeme Hossack, Halifax Transition Player of the Year: Challen Rogers, Toronto Goaltender of the Year: Doug Jamieson, New England Teammate of the Year: Dan Dawson, Toronto, AND Mike Poulin, Georgia (t) Les Bartley Award Coach of the Year: Paul Day, Philadelphia General Manager of the Year: Paul Day, Philadelphia Tom Borrelli Award Media Member of the Year: Craig Rybczynski, Rochester Executive of the Year: John Catalano, Halifax
Additionally, the 2019-20 NLL All-League and All-Rookie Teams have been announced. The teams are comprised of the top vote getters for the season awards.
All-League First Team: Doug Jamieson, New England, Goaltender Graeme Hossack, Halifax, Defense Kyle Rubisch, Saskatchewan, Defense Challen Rogers, Toronto, Transition Shayne Jackson, Georgia, Forward Callum Crawford, New England, Forward
All-League Second Team: Dillon Ward, Colorado, Goaltender Robert Hope, Colorado, Defense Dan MacRae, New York, Defense Kiel Matisz, Philadelphia, Transition Rob Hellyer, Toronto, Forward Cody Jamieson, Halifax, Forward
All-Rookie Team: Tyson Gibson, New York, Forward Andrew Kew, New England, Forward Connor Fields, San Diego, Forward Clarke Peterson, Halifax, Forward Ryland Rees, Rochester, Transition Joe Nardella, New England, Defense
As Strat-O-Matic’s (www.strat-o-matic.com) simulation of the 2020 baseball season moves past the halfway point and with the All-Star Game less than two weeks away, award winners for June were announced today. Mike Trout of Los Angeles and Freddie Freeman of Atlanta were selected as A.L. and N.L. Players of the Month, respectively, while Charlie Morton of Tampa Bay and Max Scherzer of Washington earned League Pitcher of the Month honors.
Tampa Bay (53-34, 9.5 game lead over New York), Cleveland (54-32, nine games ahead of MInnesota), Houston (MLB-best 56-28, six games ahead of Oakland), Washington (51-35, six games better than Atlanta) and Los Angeles (57-29, 8.5 lengths past San Diego) remain atop their respective divisions, while Milwaukee (45-39) moved into the N.L. Central lead with a 14-11 month, percentage points ahead of Chicago (46-40), a game ahead of St. Louis and four better than Cincinnati in the tightest division race to date. Strat-O-Matic updates results and standings daily at www.strat-o-matic.com/2020-season-simulation/.
Trout earned the A.L. honors by hitting .327 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI in the month, while posting a 1.136 OPS. Freeman was even better, slashing .378/.461/.724 for a 1.185 OPS in June. Morton won all four of his decisions, pitching to a 1.06 ERA and 0.82 WHIP, fanning 36 across 34 innings, while Scherzer went 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, whiffing 53 in 38 innings in the month.
The wild card races are very tight in both leagues, with Oakland (51-35) in first place in the A.L., Minnesota (45-41) one game up on Kansas City (44-42) for the second spot, two ahead of New York (43-43), 2.5 up on Los Angeles (42-43) and three ahead of Boston (42-44). In the Senior Circuit, San Diego (48-37) sets the pace, with Central-leading Milwaukee (45-39) and Chicago (46-40) a game better than St. Louis and Atlanta (45-41) and three ahead of Arizona (43-43) for the second slot.
Some of the individual league leaders through June 30 include:
Shogo Akiyama, Cincinnati, N.L. batting (.349);
Nick Madrigal, Chicago, A.L. batting (.342)
Trevor Story, Colorado, N.L. home runs (31); runs (75)
Jorge Soler, Kansas City, A.L. home runs (31); RBI (91)
Keston Hiura, Milwaukee, N.L. RBI (73)
Mike Trout, Los Angeles, A.L. runs (77)
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles, N.L. victories (12); ERA (2.25)
Danny Duffy, Kansas City, A.L. victories (10)
Gerrit Cole, New York, A.L. victories (10); strikeouts (158)
Blake Snell, Tampa Bay, A.L. ERA (2.18)
Jacob deGrom, New York, N.L. strikeouts (153)
“Just like on the field, the teams have started to separate themselves at the top of each division, but there are still close races and unexpected results in the Strat-O-Matic simulation of the season,” said Hal Richman, Strat-O-Matic founder. “With some of the league’s superstars like Mike Trout, Max Scherzer and Clayon Kershaw among the leaders along with newer faces in Shogo Akiyama, Nick Madrigal and Keston Hiura, the last three months of the season should be as exciting and interesting as the first three have been.”
N.L. Pitcher: Stephen Strasburg (April), Luke Weaver (May), Max Scherzer (June)
About Strat-O-Matic
Strat-O-Matic was invented by 11-year-old Hal Richman in his bedroom in Great Neck, N.Y. in 1948 as a result of his frustration with the statistical randomness of other baseball board games. He discovered that the statistical predictability of dice would give his game the realism he craved.
Betsson will enter the US online sports betting market by signing an agreement with its partner Dostal Alley Casino who will provide market access for Business-to-Consumer (B2C) online sports betting in the US state of Colorado. Betsson plans to launch its proprietary sportsbook in the first part of 2021, after regulatory approval.
This is a strategic move reflecting Betsson’s drive to grow in new regulated markets, providing access for Betsson to the rapidly expanding online sports betting market in the US. The agreement is for an initial term of 10 years. This initiative is a first and cautious step into the US market, designed to benefit Betsson with key learnings, brand presence and initial customers. This new market entry reflects Betsson’s general business strategy of prudence where the aim is to grow in a financially safe manner, with low risk, ensuring a long term sustainable and growing business.
Betsson has the ambition to build US presence, initially with a small office in Colorado. Betsson’s vision is to create the best user experiences in the market, tailored to regional customer needs and differences. The move also gives Betsson an opportunity to showcase the strength of its sportsbook in the US market and supports the ambition to sell its proprietary sportsbook to Business-to-Business (B2B) customers in the future.
Colorado was the 18th state in the US to legalise online sports betting effective from 1 May this year, allowing 33 licences, each to include one, so called, `skin’. Gambling duty is 10% on Gross Gaming Revenue and customers are allowed to register and bet online while within the state borders. The online sports betting market in Colorado is estimated to reach approximately $200 million at saturation (source H2GC). Colorado is a wealthy state in the top-third of the US states by GDP with nearly six million inhabitants and growing. It is both a tech and sports hub with its own teams in major American sporting leagues.
CinDee Spellman, CFO of Dostal Alley Casino comments: “As a company with over 28 years in the gaming business, we are thrilled to welcome Betsson to the US as we partner with them for online sports betting in Colorado. With their decades of experience in online gaming we are confident that they will bring the very best experience to players in the Centennial State!”
Pontus Lindwall, CEO and President of Betsson AB says: “I am very excited to reach this milestone, further expanding Betsson’s global reach by entering a new continent through the fast-growing online market in the US. Dostal Alley Casino has more than 60 years of experience of doing business in Colorado and will play an important role in our journey to build US presence. The whole country has a strong culture of gambling and is now experiencing online penetration at accelerated pace, where consumers are transitioning from traditional retail outlets to also now bet on their mobile devices. We have followed the development in the US closely since the possibility of a repeal of the PASPA and have carefully considered ways to enter the market. We are now looking forward to exploring the potential with our proprietary sportsbook.”
Famer, the sports coaching and mentorship mobile platform, today announced a landmark partnership with US Sports Camps, the largest and most successful youth sports summer program in North America, to bring an interactive and substantive training experience to thousands of young athletes displaced from camp due to COVID-19. US Sports Camps (USSC) is the licensed operator of the NIKE Sports Camps and operates over 1,000 camps in 16 different sports totaling more than 100,000 campers annually.
“Our goal this spring was to bring our unique cloud based interactive training technology to the camps market to give kids and parents a meaningful and worthwhile summer experience,” said Famer CEO Rich Abend. “Through launching the concept with the industry leader, US Sports Camps, we know we have found a fun and powerful alternative to keep kids engaged and active, and coaches involved and earning money doing what they love. Our business has grown ten-fold during COVID-19, and we are thrilled to be the go-to solution for virtual training which will continue to be important to athletes and coaches even after we all return to the fields and courts.”
For the past month, USSC has rolled out its new Famer-based digital training platform for virtual camps with select coaches and the early feedback has been very positive from parents and kids.
“This has been a difficult time for us at US Sports Camps,” says Justin Hoeveler, EVP of US Sports Camps. “2020 is the first summer in 48 years that we haven’t operated in-person summer sports camps for young athletes. While we decided early in the Spring that there was too much uncertainty around Covid-19 for us to feel comfortable operating our physical camps we did know that the demand for quality coaching and structured training for our campers would remain strong. The partnership with Famer has been tremendous so far. The testing we’ve done this Spring has given us a window to see how young athletes, coaches, and parents can interact, learn and have a positive virtual experience that enhances skill development and athletic performance. We’re excited to continue to digitally connect our coaches and campers through the summer and beyond.”
USSC and its coaches film dynamic skills and drills videos and upload them to the Famer platform. These drill videos are grouped into workouts that are then distributed to campers to view, perform, and record (if they choose). The drill videos that campers record are then shared with USSC coaches to review for accountability and provide feedback through a number of Famer analysis tools like voiceover, telestration, and text. Athletes can choose to sign up for group based or individual digital/virtual camps on Famer for programs lasting between two to five weeks in length. Campers in group-based training are able to interact with each other and their coach in a multi-media group chat that creates camp-like camaraderie. Famer supports organizations, clubs, and coaches by allowing them to upload their own personal training content or engage with Famer Productions to create custom professionally produced, edited, and curated content that can be hosted, distributed on its platform. Famer was designed to complement in-person practices and training pre-COVID, but with social distancing it has become an essential partner to hundreds of organizations. Information and registration for the USSC summer virtual youth camp programs can be found at https://www.ussportscamps.com/nike-sports-camps-virtual-training
ASA Entertainment announced today that the Super Girl Gamer Pro will return for its fourth year as a celebration of women in gaming. The series will run for 10 weeks beginning with weekly online qualifier tournaments from July 10 – September 6 as a lead-up to the Super Girl Gamer Pro Championships, which will be held October 3-4 in conjunction with the Super Girl Pro Festival in Oceanside, Calif. The Super Girl Gamer Pro will host open tournaments in three popular esports titles: League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Counter-Strike: GlobalOffensive. Past competitors have included some of the world’s top female pros including Stephanie “MissHarvey” Harvey (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada), Emmalee “EMUHLEET” Garrido (Los Angeles, Calif.) and more.
“This is a really important series for women, and I am so happy to be a part of it,” said Garrido, Captain of the women’s CS:GO team for Dignitas. “It’s such a great step for Super Girl Gamer to expand its reach to women throughout North America via the online qualifying series. Most people recognize how critical it is to create meaningful opportunities for women, and it’s been gratifying to watch the progress Super Girl has made over the past few years.”
“As part of our mission to provide opportunities for women in male-dominated industries, we are excited to expand the Super Girl Gamer Pro to include an online qualifying series,” said Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment and producer of the Super Girl Series. “This is an exceptionally important initiative given the lack of opportunity and general toxicity towards women in gaming. The Super Girl Gamer Pro’s empowerment platform is the perfect vehicle to help propel this movement towards equality and inclusion.”
Players and teams will earn their spots into the Championships through a cumulative ranking points system based on their results from the weekly online qualifier tournaments.
The Super Girl Gamer Pro is the only female-driven, multi-title esports tournament series in the U.S. It was launched four years ago to provide a platform for female gamers in a safe environment and to help both inspire and empower women to take a larger role within esports. Ultimately, the goal is to facilitate a future where women and men have an equal playing field within the gaming industry. As part of the Super Girl mission to provide opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, this unique series offers female gamers across North America of all skill levels a path towards greater recognition, access and acceptance.
Registration for all tournaments isFREE and will be held through ChallengerMode (https://www.challengermode.com/s/SuperGirl). The online qualifiers and Championship matches will be streamed live on Twitch and Facebook Gaming for more than 225 hours of live streaming content collectively.
Players and teams will compete for a cash prize purse, as well as sponsor prizing at the Championships. Each player and team will also be able to apply for a Super Girl Travel Fund to help with financial assistance to and from the live event. With this, we hope to help lower the barrier even further and give accessibility to as many female gamers as possible.
The Super Girl Gamer Pro Series and its message is supported by brands that are passionate about the importance of this platform and want to take a leadership role in developing equality for women in gaming – GameStop, the US Air Force, Nissan, Zenni Gaming, Facebook Gaming, Twitch and the US Marines are just a few of the partners using their voice to amplify the Super Girl values.
For more information on the Super Girl Gamer Pro and to learn how to register, please visit http://supergirlgamerpro.com.
Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and Jr., credit: Wikimedia Commons/Google Man (Sr.), and DR. Buddie (Jr.)
For many families, baseball has been an integral part of Father’s Day for years, and although the pros won’t be on the field this Sunday to help dads celebrate with their children, Strat-O-Matic (www.strat-o-matic.com), the market leader in sports simulations, is keeping the tradition alive by playing out a seven-game series featuring some of the greatest fathers and sons to compete on the diamond. From Bobby and Barry Bonds to Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. to Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and Jr. to Sandy, Sandy Jr. and Roberto Alomar, the Fathers and Sons teams, managed by big league skippers Bob and Aaron Boone, will battle it out, with results to be published on Sunday.
Some of the other father-son combinations featured on the respective 30-man squads are Tom and Dee Gordon, Dante and Bo Bichette, Clay and Cody Bellinger, Tony Gwynn Sr. and Jr., Craig and Cavan Biggio, Mel and Todd Stottlemyre, Ivan and Dereck Rodriguez, and Lance McCullers Sr. and Jr. Strat-O-Matic will utilize the best seasons of these standout players in creating the “cards” used in the simulation. Toronto’s current trio of big league progenies Bichette, Biggio and Guerrero are among the standouts for the sons’ side.
“We wanted to find a uniquely ‘Strat-O-Matic’ way to pay tribute to fathers enjoying baseball with their sons and daughters on their special day,” said Hal Richman, Strat-O-Matic founder, whose son Adam is the company president. “With so many fathers and sons, many of them Hall of Famers and All-Stars, on rosters throughout baseball history, this fun simulation will highlight some of the best family connections the sport has known.”
Full rosters for the teams with their primary teams are as follows:
Fathers (manager: Bob Boone):
Mel Stottlemyre, p., New York (A.L.)
Floyd Bannister, p. Seattle, Chicago (A.L.)
Dizzy Trout, p., Detroit
Clyde Wright, p., California
Tom Gordon, p., Kansas City, Boston (A.L.), Philadelphia (N.L.)
Pedro Borbon, p., Cincinnati
Jeff Russell, p., Texas
Lance McCullers, p., San Diego
Steve Bedrosian, p., Atlanta, Philadelphia (N.L.)
Paul Quantrill, p., Toronto, Boston (A.L.)
Jeff Shaw, p., Los Angeles (N.L.), Cincinnati, Montreal
Bryan Harvey, p., California, Florida
Ivan Rodriguez, c., Texas, Detroit
Fred Kendall, c., San Diego
Tony Perez, 1b., Cincinnati, Montreal
Craig Biggio, 2b., Houston
Buddy Bell, 3b., Cleveland, Texas, Cincinnati
Maury Wills, ss., Los Angeles (N.L.)
Cecil Fielder, 1b.-d.h., Detroit, Toronto
Sandy Alomar, inf., California, Atlanta, New York (A.L.)
Dick Nen, 1b., Washington (A.L.)
Clay Bellinger, ut., New York (A.L.)
Fernando Tatis, 3b., St. Louis (N.L.), Montreal, New York (N.L.)
Bob Oliver, ut., Kansas City, California
Felipe Alou, of., Atlanta, San Francisco, New York (A.L.)
Tony Gwynn, of., San Diego
Ken Griffey, of., Cincinnati, New York (A.L.)
Bobby Bonds, of., San Francisco, California
Dante Bichette, of., Colorado, California
Vladimir Guerrero, of.-d.h., Montreal, Los Angeles (A.L.)
Sons (manager: Aaron Boone)
Lance McCullers Jr., p., Houston
Todd Stottlemyre, p., Toronto, St. Louis (N.L.)
Brian Bannister, p., Kansas City
Steve Trout, p., Chicago (N.L.), Chicago (A.L.)
Robb Nen, p., Florida, San Francisco
Jaret Wright, p., Cleveland
James Russell, p., Chicago (N.L.)
Pedro Borbon, p., Atlanta, Toronto
Cam Bedrosian, p., Los Angeles (A.L.)
Cal Quantrill, p., San Diego
Hunter Harvey, p., Baltimore
Dereck Rodriguez, p., San Francisco
Darren Oliver, p., Texas, Los Angeles (A.L.)
Sandy Alomar Jr., c., Cleveland, Chicago (A.L.)
Jason Kendall, c., Pittsburgh, Oakland
Prince Fielder, 1b., Milwaukee, Texas, Detroit
Roberto Alomar, 2b., Toronto, San Diego, Cleveland
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3b., Toronto
Dee Gordon, 2b., Los Angeles (N.L.), Miami
David Bell, inf., Philadelphia (N.L.), Seattle, St. Louis (N.L.)
Bret Boone, 2b., Seattle, Cincinnati
Eduardo Perez, 1b., St. Louis, Cincinnati, California
Bump Wills, 2b., Texas
Cavan Biggio, ut. Toronto
Bo Bichette, ss., Toronto
Fernando Tatis Jr., ss., San Diego
Travis Shaw, inf., Milwaukee, Boston
Barry Bonds, of., San Francisco, Pittsburgh
Ken Griffey Jr., of., Seattle, Cincinnati
Moises Alou, of., Montreal, Chicago (N.L.), Houston
Cody Bellinger, of., Los Angeles
Tony Gwynn Jr., of, Milwaukee, San Diego, Los Angeles (N.L.)
Grants Pass Downs will kick off its summer racing season tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16. The 8-race opening day program will feature the Shady Cove Stakes, with a full field of 10 thoroughbreds competing for a purse of $12,000 at a distance of five furlongs. The meet will boast more than 80 races scheduled over nine dates – June 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and July 1, 6, 7 and 8 – with $60,000 available in purses each day. Post time is set for 4:00 p.m.
Lighting was installed this spring to facilitate twilight racing, and the track was widened to support bigger fields. Thanks to a grant from the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (OTOBA), Grants Pass Downs was also able to complete a number of other safety-focused projects including the installation of a new retaining wall, fencing, breakaway distance markers and additional sand to improve the track surface. The stall area was also expanded to accommodate up to 450 horses to meet growing demand. Those stalls are now nearly full as hundreds of horsemen and women from around Oregon and across the West have come to Grants Pass to participate in the meet.
“The uncertainty of these times hasn’t dampened any of the enthusiasm we’ve felt from our partners in the racing community since commercial racing came to Grants Pass last year,” said John Everly, racing secretary at Grants Pass Downs. “Demand remains very high, and even with the addition of more stalls in the barn area and fields expanding from eight to 10 horses with the widened track and an expanded starting gate, races should be pretty full throughout the meet.”
In accordance with current Oregon state health guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the meet will be held without fans in attendance. Racing fans unable to attend due to the current public health guidelines are encouraged to watch and wager at TVG.com and other advance-deposit wagering (ADW) websites, as well as at participating off-track betting (OTB) locations around the state. Grants Pass Downs has also expanded its wagering menu and will offer two new bets during the Summer Meet—a fifty cent Jackpot Pick Five with a $5,000 guaranteed pool and a 15% takeout rate, and a one dollar early Pick Four. For a list of participating ADW sites and OTB locations, visit https://gpdowns.com/wagering/.
“The health and safety of our athletes, staff, partners and guests is our highest priority, and we have put new protocols in place to ensure a safe, fun environment for all as we resume racing operations,” said Rod Lowe, director of racing and chief operating officer at Grants Pass Downs. “We’ll be encouraging the use of masks or face coverings by all guests. Additionally, hand sanitizer stations have been set up in high traffic areas throughout the premises, and social distancing reminders – like signage and floor markings – have been posted throughout the premises.”
Grants Pass Downs will allow a maximum of 250 nonessential people on site on racing days, including owners and their guests, sponsors and corporate partners, and members of the media.
New Jersey’s online sportsbooks more than doubled the state’s combined handle in May, but still fell short of an ordinary May by nearly $400 million, according to PlayNJ estimates. This while online casinos and poker rooms continue to boom, buoying the Garden State’s gaming industry.
“May’s increase is a positive sign, but until major professional sports resume and Atlantic City casinos reopen, the gaming industry will look nowhere near normal,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayNJ.com. “But optimism can be found with DraftKings, which has become a darling of Wall Street since it became a publicly traded company. That shows just how much confidence investors have in the future of sports betting.”
New Jersey’s online sportsbooks managed to boost the state’s monthly handle to $117.8 million, up 115.8% from $54.6 million in April, according to official reporting released Friday. But May’s handle is down 63.1% from $318.9 million in May 2019 and still well short of the more than $500 million in bets that would have been made in an ordinary May, according to PlayNJ estimates.
May’s bets produced a surprising $9.9 million in gross revenue — more than tripling the $2.6 million in April 2020 — yielding $1.3 million in state taxes.
Sports categorized as “other” than football, basketball, and baseball generated $95.4 million in bets in May, up from $88 million in May 2019.
“The bottom-line sports betting numbers aren’t pretty, but there is a silver lining in how online sportsbooks have managed to survive these shutdowns,” said Eric Ramsey, an analyst for PlayNJ.com. “New Jersey’s operators have been creative in keeping bettors engaged and sportsbooks generating revenue, even when fringe sports are the only real attraction. Thanks to some imagination, it appears online sportsbooks will help the industry get through this.”
Without retail sportsbooks, online sportsbooks were the only revenue generator for the state. FanDuel Sportsbook/PointsBet led the market with $4.3 million in gross revenue.
“We are just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Gouker said. “Retail sports betting will take time to return to something resembling normal. But the path to recovery for online sportsbooks is simple: Sports need to come back. That is finally starting to happen.”
Meanwhile, online casinos and poker rooms rose to a new monthly record in May with a combined $85.9 million, up 7.5% from the record $79.96 million in April and up 134.7% from $36.6 million in May 2019.
Online casinos and poker generated a record $2.8 million per day during the 31 days in May, up from $2.7 million per day in April. That revenue yielded $12.9 million in state taxes. The Golden Nugget’s dominance of the market continued with $29.1 million in revenue, up from $27.6 million in April.
“Land-based gambling revenue almost certainly won’t return in June, and it will take some time to recover even when it does come back while Atlantic City casinos presumably navigate reduced capacity and relatively weak tourism demand,” Ramsey said. “Because of that, online casinos will be relied upon to bridge the revenue gap, even once land-based casinos reopen. Even if that online revenue can’t replace what has been lost from the shutdown, the overall gaming industry would be in much worse shape without it.”
With live sports still on hold (though hopefully coming back soon!), fantasy leagues have been looking for ways to keep their members together, combining their love of baseball and football with the camaraderie that goes with participating with friends. And for the first time, the popular Baseball 365 and Football 365 products from Strat-O-Matic (www.strat-o-matic.com), the market leader in sports simulations, give commissioners the tools to manage leagues of recent and all-time great rosters, with games simulated daily, just like regular fantasy sports.
Commissioner league users can invite specific guests to compete, incorporate league settings, draft teams at any pace, and even fill out spots with computer-controlled “bot” teams. Players serve as GM and manager, setting lineups, pitching rotations and managing styles (baseball) or starters, schemes and tendencies (football) for a realistic fantasy experience.
Baseball 365 Commissioner leagues can choose from the 2019 season, a new “All-Time Greats 9” set of more than 5,300 cards, additional single-seasons of 1982, 1986, 1999, 2007 through 2018, or mystery card sets from every decade from the 1960s through the 1990s. Football featured cards include the 2018 season, as well as an All-Time Franchises set with greats dating all the way back to the 1940s.
“Many Strat-O-Matic players are also huge fantasy sports fans, and just like Strat-O-Matic leagues stay together for years, a lot of the fun of fantasy is playing with your friends” said John Garcia, Strat-O-Matic’s Director of Research and exec-in-charge of 365. “There’s nowhere else to go right now to buy out a fantasy league in baseball or football with your friends.”
“The Commissioner leagues combine the excitement and strategy of Baseball 365 and Football 365 with the convenience and control that keep leagues and friends together,” said Bernie Hou, Director of 365 for Strat-O-Matic.
Grants Pass Downs has named veteran race caller Jason Beem as track announcer for its 2020 commercial race meets. Beem will call all nine days of summer racing, beginning Tuesday, June 16 through closing day, Wednesday, July 8, as well as the track’s fall meet. Final dates for fall racing have yet to be determined.
A seasoned track announcer, social media personality, podcast host and author, Beem brings over 15 years of experience calling races to Grants Pass Downs. He has experience calling meets around the country, at Colonial Downs, Louisiana Downs, Monmouth Park, Portland Meadows and River Downs, among others. He hosts a daily horse racing podcast called The Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast, and is known for his annual “Beemie Awards,” held each December to celebrate the best moments in horse racing social media.
“We are excited to add Jason’s talent and vast experience in horse racing to the upcoming summer meet,” said Randy Evers, president of Grants Pass Downs. “His infectious enthusiasm for our sport is the perfect fit for calling our races, and he is certain to inject an extra wow factor in an unusual time. Our summer race dates will be held without spectators to maintain health and safety during the pandemic, but we are confident that Jason’s unique voice will help accurately reflect the excitement we’ve felt from the Grants Pass community.”
Beem, a Pacific Northwest native who grew up attending races at Longacres and Portland Meadows, is eager to lend his talents to the track for the first commercial races in Oregon this year.
“I’m honored to join the team at Grants Pass Downs as they continue to build on Oregon’s long and storied horse racing legacy,” said Beem. “The leadership and staff at Grants Pass Downs are doing an excellent job driving the next era of horse racing in the state while keeping hundreds of horsemen and women at work in Southern Oregon. I consider Oregon a second home and am thrilled to be a part of this team for the summer and fall meets.”
The summer race meet at Grants Pass Downs will kick off without spectators on Tuesday, June 16. Post time is set for 4 p.m. each day. Races will be available for spectators to watch and wager on TVG Network and other advance deposit wagering sites, and carried by Oregon’s off track betting sites. A full list of participating ADW sites and open off track betting sites are available on Grants Pass Downs’ website at www.gpdowns.com.
During a time of casino closures and league shutdowns, Colorado bettors have shown their willingness to engage with the state’s newly regulated sports betting offer. Since launching on May 1, the state has generated $25.5 million in gross, unaudited sports betting revenue. In a recent survey by ColoradoSharp.com, 75% of respondents said they would return to casinos “as soon as they’re open.” All signs point to a statewide boom for betting revenue when full-fledged gambling returns to The Centennial State.
“Colorado’s month-one results cement the state as a leader in the US gambling arena. $25 million in revenue is impressive on its own, and it’s even more impressive when you consider how sparse the gambling options are during a globally trying time,” said Chris Nesi, Managing Editor for ColoradoSharp.com. “This first month showcases the strength of the Colorado gaming industry, and I think we’ll continue to see impressive numbers from the state in the future.”
The Covid-19 pandemic hit Colorado hard. Related closures resulted in revenue loss nearing $100 million through April 30 alone. However, amid a challenging time for the state, Colorado’s successful first month of sports betting generated more than $25 million. Compared to Indiana’s launch month, the number is particularly impressive: Indiana earned $35 million in October 2019 when it debuted sports betting absent any casino closures. Colorado’s success in light of league cancellations and virtually no casino activity bodes well for the future of sports betting in the state. The first month’s $25 million signals a general desire for betting in Colorado, a conclusion supported by ColoradoSharp.com’s recent casino reopening survey.
In the survey, three-quarters of participants said they would return to casinos as soon as they reopen, even though the state has no current timeline for reopening land-based casinos or sportsbooks. The survey showcased Colorado’s excitement for gambling’s return, though not without some caution. 75% of survey takers intend to wear a mask when visiting a casino, and 50% said it is “very important” that casinos take social distancing safety measures upon reopening.
If California voters approve online and retail sports betting in November it will open the door to a market that has the potential to generate more than $30 billion in wagers annually, according to projections from PlayCA.com, which analyzes legalized gambling in California. Those wagers would generate some $2 billion in operator revenue and $300 million in state taxes each year.
“California is the holy grail of sports betting markets, and not just because of its sheer size,” said Dustin Gouker, chief analyst for PlayCA.com. “It appears that legislators are working to put in place a structure that will make California uniquely attractive to every major operator. And because it has the potential to be the largest legal sports betting market in the U.S., ultimately it represents a seismic shift in the industry.”
The California assembly took a significant step toward the legalization of online and retail sports betting in the Golden State on Thursday by adding implementation details to ACA 16 and SCA 6. The new language in the bills, which were originally introduced in June 2019 by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced), would amend the state constitution to:
Authorize retail and online sports betting at the state’s tribal casinos and racetracks if approved by voters, but not at the state’s cardrooms.
Set a tax rate of 10% on gross revenue for in-person wagering and a 15% tax for mobile or online wagering.
Impose taxes on the platform operators rather than directly by the tribes, to avoid sovereignty issues.
The tax rates are reasonable within the context of legal U.S. sports betting jurisdictions. By comparison, New Jersey, the nation’s largest online sports betting market, levies a 13% tax on online sports betting revenue and 9.75% tax on revenue from retail sportsbooks. Pennsylvania levies a 36% rate, by far the highest in the nation.
With the proposed tax rate, California could generate $240 million in operator revenue and $36 million in state taxes annually from online sports betting and another $60 million in operator revenue and $6 million in taxes a year from in-person betting, according to PlayCA.com estimates.
“The tax rates are fair for both operators and the state, and would be competitive with many of the states that have already legalized sports betting,” Gouker said. “The rate certainly won’t scare off sportsbook operators, who are all eager to enter California. This balanced approach should help the market ramp-up quickly once the industry launches, which is ideal considering California’s budget crunch.”
The state assembly and senate still must approve the bill, and then it must be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, before it can make its way to ballots this fall. But with a $50 million shortfall in California’s budget, and deep cuts expected, there is pressure on lawmakers to find new sources of revenue.
“The structure of these bills seems sound, and it should help the state eventually realize its revenue goals to the benefit of all of California,” Gouker said. “As for the gaming industry, if sports betting is approved by voters, it stands to change the face of sports betting across the country,”
Monkey Knife Fight (MKF), the fastest growing gaming platform in North America, announced a new partnership with the San Diego Padres. As the Official Fantasy Sports Partner of the Padres, MKF will be prominently displayed on signage at Petco Park and on all the Padres’ social media outlets.
In addition to the partnership, Monkey Knife Fight has contributed $50,000 to The Padres Foundation. The foundation is focusing their efforts during this pandemic on food insecurity and support for frontline workers in addition to their other outreach initiatives supporting the San Diego community.
“The Padres are excited to partner with MKF to grow and expand their tremendous lineup of fantasy sports platforms,” said Erik Greupner, President of Business Operations for the Padres. “Their very generous donation to The Padres Foundation will also provide much needed resources to combat hunger in the San Diego community during these challenging times.”
Bill Asher, Founder and CEO of Monkey Knife Fight commented, “I am excited to see MKF in such a world class city and to be associated with a team that is so intertwined with the community. The Padres have made it a priority to take care of San Diego’s frontline workers and to help where needed. The foundation has demonstrated the Padres unwavering support for their players, fans, and community.”
Following a similar announcement earlier this month with the Milwaukee Brewers, this signifies a real commitment that MKF is making to Major League Baseball and its fans, especially within these two cities. The moves reinforce MKF’s belief that there is a large appetite among these baseball fan communities to play fantasy sports games that allow them to focus on their local home town teams and favorite players.
Online SportsBook BetOnline tried their hand at producing original content this past week, something that a gambling site doesn’t usually do when dollars are not on the line, when they released “The Final Dance” featuring former Chicago Bulls Horace Grant, Ron Harper, Bill Cartwright, and Craig Hodges.
But how to drive some buzz and cut through the clutter around so much content about the show? Stir the pot. Hosted by NBC Chicago and ESPN Radio personality Dave Kaplan, sparks flew as the talent delved into their take on “The Last Dance”. Gasoline got thrown on the fire as Grant ripped Jordan multiple times, calling him a “snitch” and liar”. This sound bite took over social media and the discussion shows the following day. Contrived? Preplanned? Who knows. One thing is for sure, it found it’s way to the mainstream.
The overall consensus from the guests was that Scottie Pippen was portrayed unfairly, and they all respected Jerry Krause. Bill Cartwright didn’t think the Bulls would have won titles if Doug Collins continued to be the coach. Who knows? No one. The point is that the SportsBook needed an edge, and by asking some of the right quotations with the right talent, they found it.
The entire and unedited 47 minute video roundtable interview, produced on the Socialive video platform, can be viewed here.
The following is an interview with Senator Lesniak, from BonusSeeker.com.
The entire sports landscape has been flipped on its head for an undetermined amount of time due to the COVID-19 outbreak across the United States and as a result, the pandemic’s impact can be felt everywhere including the betting industry.
In the college basketball world, March Madness and the 2020 NCAA Tournament are no more, and flying away with them is the opportunity to shine a light on a seldom discussed issue with sports betting in New Jersey.
From the time it was signed into law in June 2018, legal sports betting in the Garden State has been a massive benefit for all parties. The huge population of fans gets the chance to wager on sports using regulated sites, the operators generate huge amounts of revenue, and in turn, plenty of tax dollars go to the state.
New Jersey features a wide range of sportsbooks to choose from, many with a seemingly never-ending catalog of betting markets that span a huge number of sports. All of this is why it has become the blueprint for every other state entering the market over the past year-and-a-half.
But there is one thing you won’t find at any sportsbook in New Jersey: the ability to wager on collegiate teams located in the state.
This topic finally had a shot to come into full view with both of the state’s prominent Division I athletic programs, Seton Hall and Rutgers, headed to the 2020 NCAA Tournament this year. The unfortunate cancelation of this year’s event means the Garden State’s only blemish when it comes to online sports betting wouldn’t have the chance to reach the forefront of our collective consciousness unless somebody put it there.
Why Would This Matter During March Madness?
Under New Jersey law, sportsbooks aren’t legally allowed to offer lines on college games that involve schools located inside the state. Collegiate events being played inside Garden State borders, even if none of the teams involved are from Jersey, are also off-limits.
The measure seemingly hasn’t mattered much to this point, mainly serving as evidence of a legislative concession made before the original bill was passed in 2012. But the truth remains that the ban on local teams negatively impacts sports betting in New Jersey from both a financial and a customer-experience point of view.
Part of the reason why this precondition has been largely ignored is that there haven’t been many high-quality athletic programs inside the state that bettors wanted to put their money on in any serious way.
As the 2019-20 season played out, that was no longer the case. Seton Hall earned a top-10 ranking this season for the first time in two decades while Rutgers was going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991. The Pirates and Scarlet Knights were each having huge seasons which included bids to the Big Dance and fans of both programs wanted to wager on their favorite teams during March Madness, but couldn’t.
For a minute, let’s imagine a utopia where the 2020 NCAA Tournament was still played as it was intended just a couple of weeks ago. As a result of the current law, New Jersey could be missing out on a chance to make even more in tax dollars, which can directly benefit people in the state via the government programs that this money goes toward.
If there is any flaw in the sports betting law in the Garden State, this is it.
Collegiate Sports Betting Ban Was Practical, Not Preferred
The current policy wasn’t the original intention of New Jersey lawmakers but as former Senator Raymond Lesniak put it, “it was a matter of practicality that it turned out that way.”
To understand how this compromise wound up in place, context is important. Luckily I had a chance to speak with Lesniak, who authored and introduced the pioneering bill that would not only bring sports betting to his state, but play a huge role in the fight that eventually led to the federal repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018.
Lesniak’s book, Beating The Odds: The Epic Battle That Brought Legal Sports Betting Across America, chronicles in great detail the years-long fight against the hypocrisy of both the federal government and professional sports leagues. Lesniak will enter the Sports Betting Hall of Fame this year to cement a well-earned legacy as someone who helped regulate the industry and laid the groundwork for it to flourish as it is today.
For now, let’s go back to 2011. After drafting his legislation, Lesniak’s top priority was making sure that regulated sports betting in New Jersey could make its way into law while opponents such as basketball Hall of Famer and former Senator Bill Bradley were actively trying to derail its passage.
“It was a political choice I made to make sure that we got the referendum through the legislature and passed by the voters,” Lesniak explained to Brian Sausa of BonusSeeker. “We weren’t clear that we would be able to get the votes in the legislature to put the referendum on the ballot.”
In order to quiet the noise and avoid the type of blowback that could kill the legislation, Lesniak decided losing a battle was worth winning the war. As it turns out, throwing Bradley (who led the charge to pass PASPA in the first place) and other opponents a bone in order to make sure the bill reached the voters was the right move.
Lesniak’s legislative efforts led directly to the passing of the Sports Wagering Act on two separate occasions (2012 and 2014), the latter of which granted casinos and racetracks the right to offer sports betting without licensing and regulation from the state.
In the wake of the repeal of PASPA (which had been in place since 1992) in June 2018, the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey has brought exactly the type of financial windfall that Lesniak expected it would several years before it came to fruition.
The first full year of regulated betting in New Jersey was 2019 and it saw the state take in over $4.5 billion in wagers, which produced around $300 million in revenue. After inserting a 9.75 percent tax rate for in-person bets and a 13 percent rate for mobile wagers, that means that over $36 million went right to state and local governments in taxes.
Once you lay out the numbers from all the sports combined, it’s easy to see why Lesniak and other sports betting proponents were ultimately fine with acquiescing to cut this tiny group of New Jersey teams from the equation.
But just because this was an understandable deal to make doesn’t mean that even Lesniak believes everything about the way betting laws are written in New Jersey is perfect.
Former NJ Senator: Betting Doesn’t Hurt Integrity Of Sports
Those against the passage of sports betting legislation cited integrity as a concern and wanted contests featuring in-state teams left off the board entirely. The weather on the moral high ground might be nice but this is not the hill to die on, metaphorically speaking.
On the surface it seems like a legitimate worry, especially considering the point-shaving scandals that have marred the image of the NCAA for decades since the 1950s. But in reality, the argument holds little water. And if you don’t believe me, take it from the man who wrote the bill.
“I would have preferred to have included college sports teams [in New Jersey],” Senator Lesniak admitted. “I don’t believe it’s a threat to the integrity of the sport, that’s why I sponsored it in the first place.”
What Lesniak and others fought for is completely lawful betting regulated by the state government. Previous attempts to compromise the integrity of college athletics were largely undertaken by organized crime syndicates gaining access to players as part of an unregulated underworld of illegal activity. The two really aren’t comparable, though Bradley may disagree.
To be very fair, it wasn’t only one person clinging to this perspective, as Lesniak had other opposition to worry about as well. “We thought it would be a focal point for the NFL and the NCAA to wage a campaign against it,” the Senator said in reference to allowing wagering on New Jersey schools.
If you’re wondering just how bad the threat posed to NCAA athletics by sports betting is, let us help you. There is so little credence given to the integrity argument that after operations in New Jersey launched, almost every other state passed sports betting legislation while allowing wagers on in-state collegiate teams.
So when push comes to shove, integrity never was and still isn’t an issue when it comes to regulated gaming. Unfortunately, Lesniak doesn’t see a scenario in which this law is amended to include wagering on programs that play in New Jersey.
“I do not believe we’re going to move to change it because it would isolate that issue before the voters and I think it’s a tough issue to argue isolated from the rest. So we’re going to let Pennsylvania get the benefit of betting on Rutgers to win the Big Ten Tournament,” quipped Lesniak, a Rutgers graduate and longtime supporter prior to March Madness being shut down.
Would NJ Have Missed Out On Sports Betting Revenue During March Madness?
We know that comparatively, the money made from just a few local schools would be a drop in the bucket next to the full-on tsunami of dollars rolling in from all of the other betting options that are offered in the state. With that said, the fact remains New Jersey would still be leaving money on the table.
So yes, it would have missed out on revenue even though March Madness is a cash cow as-is, it’s just a question of whether or not it would have been enough for anyone to notice.
One question worth asking might be: with part of sports betting tax money going toward social services, education, and other government programs, is there really any amount of money too insignificant?
Perhaps 30 regular-season games plus conference tournaments aren’t enough to turn any heads. But what if Rutgers, a team which excelled in the country’s best conference, made it deep into the NCAA Tournament this year?
What if Seton Hall, a likely top-three seed capable of a run to the Final Four, had made it all the way to Atlanta? Suddenly, it would have been a much larger faction of the betting population that is turned away as opposed to just fans of those two programs.
Perhaps what nobody wants to say out loud is that there simply isn’t enough of a financial impact made by the inclusion of just a few schools, even if the majority of their fans are residents of the state.
There isn’t really a way to quantify the amount necessary to ignite the questions needed to amend the law but one can’t help but feel as though if there was enough money to be made off allowing bettors to wager on New Jersey teams, the powers that be may start to see things differently.
We should also remember that since its foray into the gaming world, no arena in New Jersey has been chosen as a host site for any NCAA Tournament games, another thing that could also produce a significant amount of money for the state.
With an amendment to the law, however, the Garden State could have its cake and eat it too. It could host a series of March Madness events to a sold-out arena while making those games available for betting, both of which the state and its resident sports fans would benefit from.
How About Improving Customer Experience In New Jersey?
While the industry is currently in a standstill, betting in the Garden State has been unmistakably prosperous. And quite simply, the only reason New Jersey has experienced such a financial boon in such a short time is because of the bettors.
If people didn’t download the app to wager or show up to the window at one of the state’s casinos, there would be no revenue or taxes to be collected. Feels like a pretty simple concept, no?
Even though there are tons of betting options, college sports are hugely popular and the law doesn’t do everything it can to help the experience of the people that essentially raised $36 million in new tax dollars in 2019. As one New Jersey resident and Seton Hall fan told us, some don’t quite understand the game of geographical gymnastics that they’ve been forced into.
“I don’t feel like I should have to drive an hour, or 90 minutes, or two hours to place a bet when I only live a couple miles from the arena where they play all the games,” Brian Flynn explained. “So I don’t really get why it’s like this, why wouldn’t you want people to bet more?” he asked.
It’s a great question. The word ‘fan’ is short for fanatic, so it makes sense that people love to wager on the teams they root for. It’s part of human nature to feel like your favorite school is going to win and for many casual bettors, wagering on your own team enhances the game-watching experience. And when a fan’s team is achieving success, many fans will continue betting on that team regularly.
But without the option, New Jersey is watching other states walk off with money from its residents, just as offshore sportsbooks were doing not so long ago.
Is It Time To Consider Amending Sports Betting Law?
As a frequent sports bettor who places his wagers legally in New Jersey, the prohibition on local teams is something that has never sat well with me.
So when I spotted a high-ranking official from the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement leaving the 2019 Sports Betting USA Conference in Manhattan, I opted to approach him and his colleague, another important DGE employee.
I lightheartedly remarked that the state may have to take a look at some of its rules if an in-state school like Seton Hall or Rutgers made a postseason run in basketball or football postseason due to the money that could potentially be made or lost.
Both men grinned and chuckled momentarily but didn’t seem to make much of the thought, probably imagining the farfetched likelihood Rutgers’ bottom-of-the-barrel football program going to the College Football Playoff. That remains unlikely, and it’s not as though the Scarlet Knights or Seton Hall has been historically considered a basketball powerhouse of any kind, either.
A few short months later, however, and there’s little to laugh about. This precondition was necessary at the time and sports betting in New Jersey may not exist without it, but now it’s 2020 and New Jersey’s teams were about to play a significant role in March Madness. So you’d have to excuse fans and bettors in the state for not getting the joke.
New Jersey would be missing out on opportunities to pull in more tax dollars while providing a service many residents desire because of an antiquated compromise that doesn’t even protect the integrity of the sport. The entire exchange reminded me of an excerpt from Lesniak’s book, where he references DGE director David Rebuck proclaiming his goal was to make New Jersey the top market for sports betting in the country.
The Garden State has gone a long way toward achieving this goal, passing incumbent Nevada in monthly handle and revenue in May 2019 for the first time, just a year after betting was launched. In fact, in the 13 months from June 2018 to September 2019, New Jersey pulled in nearly $9 million more than Nevada in tax revenue.
Things are indeed going very well as a whole, but wouldn’t it be wise to tap all available resources and exhaust all revenue-generating options? Perhaps then, it would be just a little bit easier to attain the ultimate goal of staying on the industry mountain top.
Once things make dollars, they seem to make sense, and this has been the case with sports betting all along. For the very first time, it’s possible that allowing betting on collegiate teams and sporting events in the state could help generate revenue for New Jersey. And it’s time everyone starts paying attention.
Carousel Group, a privately-held holding company that operates in the regulated online gaming industry, announced today the launch of SportsBetting.com after being granted an internet sports betting operator license from the Colorado Division of Gaming on April 30.
The company’s flagship brand, www.SportsBetting.com, will serve as the web and mobile app betting odds portal for customers within Colorado state lines.
“This is our first venture in the U.S. so our resources are focused and committed to the Colorado market,” Carousel Group CEO Daniel Graetzer said. “Colorado and its residents embody what our company values – a progressive and innovative approach to business and life – so we are thrilled to be making our rookie debut in such a great state.”
Carousel Group is partnering with local TV, radio, podcasts and print, as well as restaurants and bars, to expand the brand’s reach and awareness. Local businesses are encouraged to contact the company to present sponsorship opportunities.
The group also plans to support state-run charities and non-profit organizations.
“We want to dig our heels into the grass and snow and make a lasting footprint in Colorado’s community and economy,” Graetzer said. “While some of our competitors have closed their doors and laid off employees in the U.S., we’re looking to hire local talent.”
In another atypical approach, SportsBetting.com runs on Carousel Group’s proprietary in-house platform, which allows it to bring a unique product to the market. This is in contrast to the methodology many gambling companies have taken over the last two years since sports betting became legal in the U.S.
“We have built our business behind a team with more than 50 years of experience in the gaming industry. That, combined with our own technology, gives us a huge advantage over the competition,” Graetzer added. “It’s in our DNA to be innovative and with our own infrastructure we will offer something fresh, exciting and customer-driven to the U.S. betting community.”
SportsBetting.com is in the deep development stages and will be live prior to the 2020 football season.
