U.S. Online Gambling News - Around the Horn

Every once in a while, a lot of little online betting news pops up across the U.S. Here's a look at some of the goings on around the U.S. online gambling market with a focus on Ohio, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Rhode Island.

BetMGM's Cincinnati Reds Sportsbook Being Relocated

When BetMGM launched its retail sportsbook inside of Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Red, it was thought to be a permanent location. It turns out that BetMGM's management had other ideas. The sports betting operator has announced they will be relocating the sportsbook into a multi-use location called The Banks. The sports betting facility will be integrated with a popular bar/restaurant called the "Nation Kitchen and Bar."

The move is expected to take place sometime in the fall while the NFL season is underway.

NJ Legislature Seeks to Restrict Online Sports Betting and Casino Advertising

With an eye on public safety, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly have introduced three (3) new bills that would change the state's online gambling landscape.

In the Senate, Senator Joe Cryan has introduced a bill ((S 4021) that would restrict online gambling operators from using predatory adverting ads that target minors and problem gamblers. While the bill is in its initial stages, it's unclear how predatory advertising ads would be defined.

In the Assembly, two (2) bills have been introduced that are intended to change the sports betting landscape. Bill A5226 seeks to prohibit NJ colleges and universities from partnering with sports betting operators. Bill AR168 seeks to put significant limits on the number of "pro-gambling" ads that would be allowed in the state.

At this time, there is no indication whether or not any of these three (3) bills will have enough support to pass, but try they must, according to Sen. Cryan.

WynnBET Launches Online Casino in West Virginia

With only seven (7) states currently allowing their residents to use online casino gambling apps, any news related to online casino gambling in the U.S. is big news. This big news comes out of West Virginia, one of the aforementioned states that have legalized online casino gambling apps.

WynnBet Casino has gone live with its mobile casino app effective immediately. The app is available on the Google Play and Apple stores.

With the addition of WynnBET, West Virginia residents now have access to five (5) online casino apps. WynnBET Casino joins the likes of Fanduel, BetMGM, DraftKings, and PointBet as the state's only licensed online casino operators.

Online Casino Gambling Could Launch Sooner in Rhode Island

Earlier this month, Rhode Island shocked the U.S. online gambling community by surprisingly passing online casino gambling legislation. When Governor Daniel McKee signed the state's new online casino legislation (S 948), expectations were set that such activities would launch in March 2024.

After further review, expectations are evolving. Under the leadership of Bally's Corp, there is reason to expect a launch perhaps as early as late this year. It's possible since Bally's currently has casino apps in operation in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.