Around the Horn - Online Gambling News From Virginia, Michigan, and Iowa

With all eyes on Super Bowl LVIII, state legislators across the U.S. weren't spending much time on online gambling legislation. What did pop up in the news were tidbits from Virginia, Michigan, and Iowa. Here's a look at the going ons around the horn.

Virginia Legislature to Table In-State College Sports Wagering Until 2025

When the Virginia state legislature passed sports betting legislation in 2020, it was common for states to be cautious about allowing bettors to bet on college teams and sports events in their respective states. That resulted in states like Virginia saying no with a promise to look at college sports betting in the future.

To date, nothing has progressed. There were hopes that the current legislature would give the college sports betting option a look this year, but all indications are it's not going to happen anytime soon. By a unanimous vote of 14-0, the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee has tabled the issue, intending to address it during the 2025 legislative session.

For now, Virginia sports bettors will have to cross state lines into states like Kentucky, Maryland, or West Virginia if they want to wager on Virginia-based college teams.

Michigan Signs Onto National 1-800-GAMBLER Hotline

As online gambling continues to expand across the U.S., government officials in most states are taking a serious look at the potential for problem gambling issues in their respective states. In Michigan, gambling regulators are taking action.

It has been reported that the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has decided to adopt the National 1-800-GAMBLER Hotline as its primary problem gambling resource. The hotline is available 24/7/365 for the benefit of individuals who feel they have or are losing control over their gambling activities.

Under the direction of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), the hotline will serve as a conduit to help resources at the local level in each state. Professional therapy referrals will also be made available. As part of the licensing process, mobile gambling operators will be required to provide easy access to the hotline from their respective mobile apps.

Fanatics Joins the Mobile Sports Betting Community in Iowa

For a state that does not serve as home to any major professional sports franchises, Iowa sure has more than its fair share of sports betting enthusiasts. That's evident by the fact many of the nation's top sports betting operators are accepting bets from Iowans. The state is now welcoming Fanatics into the state.

For more than three (3) years, the Australia-based PointsBet was one of the top mobile sports betting operators in the U.S. That didn't go unnoticed by ownership at Fanatics, a leading sports clothing brand. In May 2023, Fanatics acquired PointsBet's U.S. operations with the goal of expansion in mind.

Fanatics has officially gone live in Iowa. This marks the 12th state in which the operator is offering online sports betting services. In addition to the opening of a dedicated Fanatics app, Catfish Bend Casino will be converting from the PointsBet brand to the Fanatics brand effective immediately.