Sports Betting Beat - July 10, 2021: DC Company Not Compliant

The sole company overseeing sports betting in Washington, D.C. is behind on its commitment to hire local businesses, according to a recently conducted audit.

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Intralot is the company in question. The D.C. Council approved the no-bid contract that placed Intralot solely in charge back in 2019.  But they were required to put at least 35% of contract expenditures towards certified business enterprises, otherwise known as CBEs.  These are DC-based businesses given preferences in District procurement.

The audit found that Intralot hired just one CBE that employed two individuals.  They are also accused of getting around the stipulation by hiring subcontractors.

New York

Mobile NY sports betting bidding details finally released

The delayed bidding details for New York State's mobile sports betting implementation were disclosed mid-Friday afternoon with operators to be selected no later than December 6. 

Along with an estimated marketing budget and advertising plans, the platform has to outline the efforts that will be taken to convert players from offshore sites, writes Matthew Waters of Legal Sports Report.

Per LSR, the Request For Application scoring details:

• Bidders will have to get a minimum technical factor score of 60 points out of the possible 75 to be considered a qualified applicant:
• Sports betting expertise, both by platform and sportsbooks: 25 points.
• Integrity, sustainability and safety of the platform: 20 points.
• Past relevant experience for both platform and sportsbooks: 15 points.
• Advertising and promo plans: 7.5 points.
• Ability to “rapidly and efficiently” bring bettors into the platform: 2.5 points.
• Racial, ethnic and gender diversity efforts: 2.5 points.
• Other factors concerning state revenue: 2.5 points.

A tribal partnership adds 5 points to the process.

The process of picking a winner makes it sound like there will not be a thriving market of sportsbooks competing against one another in New York, Waters suggests.

New York appears to be implementing its own version of the UK Advertising Standards Authority.  Over the years, countless online gambling sites have run afoul of the ASA and forced to pay substantial fines.  New York State will require that operators obtain approval for promotions a minimum of 15 days in advance.

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-15) told ESNY that online sports betting could be up and running in a limited capacity by the end of 2021 and perhaps at full-capacity by the 2022 Super Bowl, though March Madness would be a more realistic target.  The state could benefit from Syracuse enjoying a national presence in most NCAA Men's college basketball tournaments.

“I’m an eternal optimist. With a little initiative the gaming commission could get something up and running by the end of the year. Hopefully within the end of the NFL playoff season and definitely up and running by the Super Bowl. We’re a week off from the deadline. Hopefully we see no further delays. I understand the importance of deadlines, but you want to get it right,” Addabbo told ESNY.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com