The Weekender: Surcharges, GG + WSOP, And Limiting Bettors
DraftKings' surcharges are the talk of the town; GG Poker has acquired the WSOP from Caesars; MA schedules and unschedules meeting on limiting bettors; and more.
The Bulletin Board
ABOVE the FOLD: A look at the three biggest stories of the week.
— The best (and worst) takes on the DraftKings Surcharge news.
— GG Poker acquires the World Series of Poker.
— The conversation around limiting bettors hits a snag.
HOUSEKEEPING: A look at recent podcasts, featured articles, and more from yours truly.
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DraftKings Surcharge: A Roundup of Stories and Takes
I covered the proposed surcharge on winning bets to death this week, but as I mentioned on the iGaming Daily Podcast, I could cover it every day for three months and not run out of takes.
Here are my entries on the topic from this week:
Analysts Question the Surcharge’s Legality and Tax Implications
Will Bettor’s Accept DraftKings’ Surcharge Because of Loyalty?
Here are a few more takes from around the internet:
Analysis: Does New DraftKings Surcharge On Winning Bets Add Up?
23 Assorted Thoughts On DraftKings’ Planned Betting Surcharge, And One Important Poll
GG Poker Acquires the World Series of Poker
GG Poker’s acquisition of the World Series of Poker has flown under the radar thanks to the surcharge news and the never-ending stream of earnings calls to report on.
Details are still scant, but as I wrote on Tuesday, “it appears Caesars will continue to operate the WSOP.com online poker sites in four states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nevada, and Michigan.”
Pokerfuse’s Nick Jones believes “GG will license the WSOP brand back to Caesars, with Caesars eventually shifting from its current software (Evoke, nee 888) to GG Poker, thereby giving it a foothold in the market and solving GG’s market access issues.”
Jones posted three excellent X threads on the topic:
The Latest on Limiting Bettors in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission scheduled and then canceled a meeting to schedule an actual meeting to discuss the topic du jour: limiting bettors.
At issue, even though it hasn’t been stated publicly, is the involvement of bettor advocates. As I wrote this week:
A memo to MGC Commissioners ahead of an August 1, 2024 meeting noted, “Each Operator has since expressed commitment to have an Operator-only discussion with the Commission regarding this issue during a public meeting or round table.”
As Sports Betting Dime’s Robert Linnehan reported, “The MGC has yet to reach out to BettorsVoice for their insights on limiting users, as they said they would, but CEO Richard Schuetz said the MGC has been in general contact with the advocacy group. “Unlike the operators, we respect their desire to learn,” he said.
The discussion around limiting bettors could wind up being one of the biggest stories over the next 12 months, as well as one of the most consequential.
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Housekeeping
STILL A FEW DISCOUNTED SUBSCRIPTIONS LEFT:
The Forecast is a premium service that consists of 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. It will launch in November at a cost of $2,600 annually, but you can save $600 by becoming one of the first 20 organizations to sign up — There are still some available at the discounted rate, but they are going fast.
Reach out to Steve@igamingpundit.com for more details or to register your organization.
PODCASTS: After a two-week hiatus, the Talking Shop Podcast will return next week. I’ve lined up a bunch of interesting guests, and there is plenty to talk about.
In the meantime, I went on the iGaming Daily Podcast with Jessica Welman to discuss the DraftKings surcharge.
COLUMNS:
This week’s featured column examines the changing land-based casino landscape and builds on previous thoughts about how many small, seemingly inconsequential changes lead to seismic shifts over time.
I also penned my monthly column summarizing the current online gambling landscape in the US for Casino Reports.
Why hire Steve Ruddock? Over the years, Steve has advised startups, national gambling companies, government agencies, and investment banks on a wide variety of topics.
Whether you’re looking for market research, want to raise your brand awareness, or are trying to develop responsible gaming strategies, Steve can help with honest, balanced, no-nonsense analysis of the situation.
Steve’s unique experience and insights are often the missing piece to the puzzle.
Reach out for more information: Straight to the Point Consulting.