Holiday Weekender: Limited Bettors; NCAAB Investigation; Texas OSB
The MGC wants data on limited bettors. At least six NCAA Basketball programs are under investigation. The Texas OSB opportunity.
The Bulletin Board
ABOVE the FOLD: A look at the three biggest stories of the week.
— The MGC has thrown down the gauntlet on limiting bettors.
— At least six NCAA basketball programs are under investigation.
— How big is the Texas sports betting opportunity?
HOUSEKEEPING: A look at recent podcasts, featured articles, and more from yours truly.
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The MGC Has Made a Decision on Limiting Bettors
Massachusetts regulators have come to a decision on the practice of limiting bettors, announcing they will require sportsbooks to provide the Massachusetts Gaming Commission with data on its policies on limiting bettors and VIP programs.
“Last week, the MGC unanimously approved a plan to collect data on the practices of limiting bettors and designating customers as VIPs from the state’s licensed sports betting operators.”
The MGC’s decision is also having an impact outside the state, as over in Wyoming “Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos was in Wyoming, presenting the bettor’s case before the Wyoming Gaming Commission (the video is cued up to Spanky’s testimony), focusing on limiting bettors.”
College Basketball Programs Under Investigation
We know there is an investigation into potential point-shaving/match-fixing allegations involving the Temple men’s basketball program centered around a March 7 Temple-UAB game that was flagged for unusual betting activity.
What we learned this week is the scope of the investigation has widened.
Here’s where we currently stand:
“Interest in the months-old story was rekindled in October when SI’s Pat Forde reported that Virginia Tech basketball player Hysier Miller, a transfer from Temple, was dismissed from the team.
“More recently, ESPN reported that “federal authorities are investigating whether former Temple men's basketball player Hysier Miller bet on his own games and manipulated the outcome of Owls games he played in, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation.”
“And now, per Forbes, the probe has expanded to at least six Division I programs, which the source describes as mid-major programs.”
The Texas Sports Betting Opportunity
“A new study from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (a newsletter sponsor), "Legal Online Sports Betting In Texas: Revenue Forecast And Economic Impact Analysis," puts the Texas sports betting opportunity into perspective, and spoiler alert, it’s Texas-sized. The research firm estimates legalization could create 8,000 jobs and generate tax revenue in excess of $360 million annually, based on a moderate 15% tax rate.”
And over on X, a couple of industry watchers raised some questions, including the following from Jessica Welman (A guest on STTP Podcast #10):
And from Steve Bittenbender (A guest on STTP Podcast #30):
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Housekeeping
The Forecast is a premium service that provides quarterly reports and weekly updates on the US online gambling sector. I created it specifically for individuals and organizations interested in an unbiased, clear-cut assessment of the landscape.
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COLUMNS:
This week’s featured column, which will be released on Friday, looks at the key to success in gambling and just about everywhere, which is getting the little things right.