## U.S. Collaboration: Missouri Gaming Proposal, NFL Reinstates Five Athletes

Welcome to iGB’s U.S. Collaboration, a review of the most significant North American sports wagering news we covered this week, alongside other intriguing news we discovered.

**Missouri Gaming Proposal Nearing Vote**

Advocates of the Missouri gaming proposal have stated they’ve gathered 300,000 signatures, aiming to achieve 325,000 by the May 5th deadline. The organization “Win for Missouri Education” requires 180,000 validated signatures to place the proposition on the November ballot. The proposal would permit statewide mobile sports wagering.

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

In 2020, Missouri appeared set to be an early adopter in the region. However, its legislature couldn’t reach a consensus, while neighboring states Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska have legalized some form of gambling. In total, seven of Missouri’s eight bordering states offer sports betting.

**NFL Reinstates Five Athletes**

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

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Isaiah Rodgers is not involved in this.

Following the suspension of its first athlete, Jontay Porter, for a single day, the NBA has brought the player back. Porter had shared confidential details with bettors and placed wagers on NBA contests.

Twitter buzz: April 19, 2024 – Athlete Shaka Toney brought back by the NFL; would Peters and Quinn want him on the squad? #HTTC

According to NFL.com, the only current player to be reinstated is Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. The league also brought back former Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety CJ Moore, linebacker Demetriou Taylor, and former Colts linebacker Rashod Berry.

Despite a brief resurgence, Maine has not legalized online betting.

Last week, a proposal granting the Wabanaki tribes online gambling privileges was turned down in both the Maine House and Senate, but then brought back to life, passed the House, and ultimately failed in the Senate.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the bill was revived after Senate Majority Leader Assistant Leader Mattie Daughtry requested a review. This strategy is common in Maine. To alter the outcome of a vote, lawmakers will vote in favor of the winning side, even if they don’t agree with it, so they can bring the bill back up for consideration.

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

DraftKings is facing legal action over its “risk-free” wording.

This Thursday (April 17th), DraftKings faced a collective legal action for employing the term “risk-free” in a New York federal court.

As reported by Bloomberg Law, gamblers were assured that if their “risk-free wager” was unsuccessful, the wagered amount would be refunded to their accounts. Nevertheless, gamblers claim that successful bets yielded credits valued at less than half the amount they would have won with actual funds.

Caesars is currently facing legal action in New York regarding the use of the term “risk-free” in its sports betting advertisements.

Numerous prominent operators have ceased using the term “risk-free” in the past year, and several American jurisdictions have prohibited its usage.

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

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

Approximately 15 American jurisdictions have banned college player props. Louisiana is the most recent state to implement a ban.

A Mississippi online sports betting bill will be presented to the legislature for consideration.

Mississippi representatives are on the verge of making mobile sports wagering legal. A joint committee will be established to bridge the gap between the House and Senate drafts of the legislation. The committee will consist of Representatives Casey Eure, Jay McKnight, and Henry Zuber III, along with Senators David Blount, Mike Thompson, and Chuck Younger. They have less than three weeks to arrive at a consensus before the legislative session concludes on May 5th.

Meanwhile, in New York City, the City Council has given the green light to zoning adjustments that will enable downstate casino victors to construct facilities in high-density or commercial manufacturing areas.

Caesars Entertainment has introduced its NHL-themed blackjack game in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Lottery Geeks revealed that a prominent lottery is contemplating increasing ticket prices from $2 to $5.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has unveiled plans to erect a new casino in Texas.

Virginias legislative body has approved a measure that could allow residents to decide on the construction of a gambling establishment in Petersburg during the upcoming November elections.

Alabama’s gambling legislation, initially a comprehensive proposal encompassing digital sports wagering, has been referred to a joint committee. The proposal has undergone significant reductions, with Senator Arthur Orr indicating to local radio that he estimates a 20%-30% likelihood of an agreement being reached.

iGB News Summary

Minnesota’s political instability may result in the absence of legal sports betting this year

North Carolina bettors placed $659 million in wagers during the initial three weeks

Ontario’s second year witnessed $63 billion in bets

Connecticut’s legislation aligns with a pattern of introducing stringent advertising regulations

FanDuel may hold a two-year advantage in the Washington D.C. competition

Ontario’s regulatory body has suspended wagering on World Boxing Association events

The United States will introduce a nationwide self-exclusion registry

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