The Nation’s Pulse: Missouri Gaming Proposition, NFL Restores Five Athletes

## The Nation’s Pulse: Missouri Gaming Proposition, NFL Restores Five Athletes

Welcome to iGBs’ National Overview, where we summarize the key developments from the North American sports wagering realm over the past week, and briefly touch upon some news we find intriguing.

**Missouri Gaming Proposition Nears Ballot**

Advocates for the Missouri gaming proposition declared they have gathered 300,000 signatures and aim to reach 325,000 by the May 5th deadline. The group, “Fight for Missouri Education,” requires 180,000 verified signatures to place the proposition on the November ballot. The proposition would authorize statewide mobile sports wagering.

Supported by Missouri professional sports teams, the Missouri gaming proposition would circumvent the state legislature, which has been stalled for years on how to legalize online gambling.

In 2020, Missouri appeared poised to be a leader in the region. However, its legislature has failed to achieve a consensus, while neighboring Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska have legalized some form of gambling. In total, seven of Missouri’s eight neighboring states offer sports betting.

**NFL Restores Five Athletes**

On Thursday (April 18th), the NFL restored five athletes who were suspended for breaching the league’s wagering regulations.

Isaiah Rodgers is not on the Philadelphia Eagles’ team.

The NBA restored the athlete’s playing privileges a day after suspending its first player, Jontae Porter, for sharing confidential information with a gambler and wagering on the NBA.

The Twitter buzz: April 19, 2024 – Player Shaka Toney was restored to his team by the NFL; would Peters and Quinn want him on their team? #HTTC

According to NFL.com, the only current athlete to be restored to his team was Shaka Toney, a defensive end for the Washington Commanders. The league also restored the playing privileges of former Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety CJ Moore, linebacker Demetri Taylor, and former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry.

Despite a brief resurgence, Maine ultimately failed to legalize online gaming.

The legislation to empower the Wabanaki tribes with online gaming was defeated in both the Maine House and Senate last week, then revived, passed in the House, and ultimately failed again in the Senate.

The legislation was pulled back from the brink after Senate Majority Leader Assistant Leader Marty Doucette requested reconsideration. This tactic is often employed in Maine, according to the Portland Press Herald. Legislators will vote in favor of the winning side, even if they don’t agree, in hopes of changing the outcome, so they can bring the legislation back.

Maine’s legislative session concluded on April 17th, and bills from this session cannot be carried over.

DraftKings is being sued for using the term “risk-free.”

DraftKings is facing legal action in a New York federal court for employing the phrase “risk-free.” The legal proceedings, initiated on Thursday (April 17), are a class-action suit.

As reported by Bloomberg Law, the wagering firm assured bettors that if their “risk-free wager” resulted in a loss, the wagered sum would be credited back to their accounts. However, the company asserts that successful bets yield less than half the amount they would earn if wagered with actual funds.

Caesars is also facing legal action in New York for utilizing the term “risk-free” in its sports betting advertisements.

Numerous prominent operators have ceased using the phrase “risk-free” in the past year, and several US states have prohibited its use.

New York Gaming Commission Commends NCAA
The New York State Gaming Commission Chair, Brian O’Dwyer, sent a letter to the NCAA on April 15, endorsing its call for a nationwide prohibition on college player prop bets. New York has already implemented such a ban.

O’Dwyer stated in the letter that New York initially imposed the ban to “safeguard student athletes from potential harassment based on their performance.”

Approximately 15 US states have banned college player props. Louisiana was the most recent state to implement such a ban.

Mississippi Online Sports Betting Legislation to Be Presented to Legislature

Mississippi’s House Bill 774, which would authorize statewide mobile wagering, will be forwarded to a joint legislative panel.

The panel, which will be composed of Representatives Casey Eure, Jay McKnight, and Henry Zuber III, and Senators David Blount, Mike Thompson, and Chuck Younger, is scheduled to convene next week. With the May 5th legislative recess approaching, lawmakers have less than three weeks to reach a consensus.

The legislation passed the House in February and the Senate passed an amendment on April 9th. The amendment was a “strike all” amendment, replacing the House’s proposal with existing state law.

This maneuver was intended to facilitate continued discussions. The bill was returned to the House for concurrence, and the anticipated outcome is a joint committee that can negotiate a compromise.

Other news…

… On Thursday (April 18th), the New York City Council approved a zoning modification that would allow any entity winning a downstate casino bid to obtain an exemption to construct in high-density or commercial manufacturing zones.

… On Friday (April 19th), Caesars Entertainment declared the launch of its NHL-branded blackjack game on its online gambling platforms in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

… On Monday (April 15th), Lottery Geeks reported that the MegaMillions is poised to vote on increasing the price of each ticket from $2 to $5.

… The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe announced plans to construct a new gambling establishment in Texas.

The Virginia assembly has passed a measure that might permit residents of Petersburg to vote on the construction of a gaming facility in November.

Alabama’s gambling proposal, which initially included a broad expansion of gambling, including online sports betting, has been referred to a joint committee. The proposal has been significantly reduced, and Senator Arthur Orr told local radio that he believes there is a 20%-30% chance of reaching a consensus.

iGB News Summary
Disarray in Minnesota could result in no legal sports betting this year

North Carolina gamblers wagered $659 million in the initial three weeks

Ontario’s second year: $63 billion in bets

Connecticut legislation follows a trend, proposing rigorous advertising rules

FanDuel could be two years ahead in the Washington D.C. competition

Ontario regulators have ceased betting on the WBA

The United States will launch a national self-exclusion list

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