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Weekly News Roundup 1-27-17

PA Bill Would Legalize Sports Betting If PAPSA Repealed

As reported by Gambling Compliance, PA State Rep. Robert Matzie plans to introduce a bill that would legalize sports betting, only if changes in federal law allow the activity to be regulated by the states.    Other than Nevada full-scale wagering, and sports lotteries in Oregon, Delaware, and Montana. PAPSA currently prohibits states from legalizing and regulating sports betting.

Matzie’s introduction comes after the U.S. Supreme Court delayed a decision on whether or not they would take up New Jersey’s challenge to a federal ban on sports betting. If the High Court decides to takes NJ’s case and prevails, that would open the door for other states, such as Pennsylvania, to begin regulating sports betting.

Brent Musburger Retires

Sports fans and bettors alike will remember Musburger not only as an excellent broadcaster, but one that would regularly remind sports bettors of the point spread and total when calling a game. He’s been calling games since 1973. His final game is scheduled for January 31, where he will do the play-by-play for the Kentucky and Georgia men’s basketball game on ESPN, before calling it a quits.

On Thursday, Musburger stated in an interview on the Dan Patrick Show that he quit betting on sports in the 1970s and has never bet on a game he broadcasted. Instead of retiring, Musburger is heading to Las Vegas where he will host a sports betting talk show on SiriusXM radio. The ‘Vegas Sports Information Network’ (VSIN) will broadcast their first show before the Super Bowl, and hope to be a 24-hour channel in the future.

Daily Fantasy Sports: FantasyDraft Acquires Fantasy Aces

As reported by LegalSportsReport.com, FantasyDraft will acquire Fantasy Aces. Many DFS sites over the past few years have closed due to financial trouble, or have consolidated. Even industry giants, DraftKings and FanDuel, announced a merger in 2016 that is expected to be finalized later this year.

However, the trend among attorney generals around the country seems to be going to towards regulation, rather than prohibition, with a few exceptions. Eight states passed laws regulating the activity in 2016 and more on the horizon this year.