The U.S. sports betting world moves quickly and unpredictably in 2026. In order to properly take stock of it all, we offer InGame’s “EndGame,” an end-of-week compilation of the top storylines, some overlooked items, and all the other news bits from this past week that we found interesting.
Rozier seeks use of juror questionnaire
An attorney for former NBA player Terry Rozier wants the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to consider using a one-page questionnaire as part of jury selection in his bet-rigging trial. Rozier’s team argued in a submission Thursday that due to his notoriety as a professional athlete, such a questionnaire would allow potential jurors to share what, if anything, they know about Rozier or the case.
Attorney David Oscar Markus wrote that EDNY created a “media frenzy” in announcing the case. He said of Rozier, “Before the government wrongfully called him corrupt, he was well-respected and beloved.” In addition, because Rozier’s case was announced at a press conference that also revealed a mob-run rigged poker scheme, Markus suggested that it’s possible jurors may think Rozier’s case is a mob case.
The case tied to Rozier’s performance in a March 2023 game for the Charlotte Hornets is set for trial beginning Feb. 7, 2027. ESPN reported, meanwhile, that Rozier’s mother, Gina Tucker, submitted a letter to the court Wednesday urging that conditions be put in place to allow him to return to the basketball court while his case plays out.
— Jill R. Dorson
Beasley co-conspirator to change plea
William Brown, a defendant named in the USA vs. Malik Beasley illegal sports betting case, was set to change his plea to guilty Friday at a 4 p.m. hearing, also in the EDNY court. The crux of the case is that Beasley was part of a conspiracy in which he agreed to manipulate his performance so bettors would win wagers. Brown was among four defendants who placed bets on the ex-NBA player’s performance when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season.
In court filings in another sports betting scandal, attorneys for Emmanuel Clase and federal prosecutors this week both filed briefs opposing a request by co-defendant Luis Ortiz to extend the date of the two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers’ trial to Dec. 1 or later. Clase’s lawyer argued that his client does not want to waive his right to a speedy trial on the charges related to how the two threw pitches in a bet-fixing case. The trial is currently set to begin Nov. 2, also in EDNY.
— Jill R. Dorson
Suspected illegal bookie indicted in Nevada
The Nevada Gaming Control Board announced Wednesday that a Clark County grand jury had indicted suspected illegal bookmaker William West Roberts the day before. Roberts is charged with illegal bookmaking and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Per the press release, Roberts was arrested in April after a “multi-year investigation” found he was accepting bets through a Costa Rican-based gambling platform.
CDC Gaming reported Thursday that Roberts “commingled” betting funds with money from a fitness center and “social media tip business,” both of which he owned.
— Jill R. Dorson
Odds and ends
- While G2E was taking place in Las Vegas this week as the biggest gambling industry conference of its kind in the U.S., many international participants were drawn to the SBC Summit in Lisbon. SBC Americas editor Adam Candee blogged about the event throughout, describing how everyone from Michael Jordan to Snoop Dogg joined in Portugal with representatives of the gaming sector.
- The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is expanding an investigation of insider trading on prediction markets, CNBC reported Tuesday. Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky sent letters seeking information about their identity verification procedures to Crypto.com, Aristotle Exchange Inc., and Hyperliquid Labs, similar to what he already solicited from larger industry operators Kalshi and Polymarket.
- Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale has been one of sports betting’s biggest hedgers for a long time, with the furniture magnate using sportsbooks outside his home state of Texas to place large wagers that offset his risk from refund promotions he offers customers if Texas sports teams win titles. Now he’s become a huge fan of Kalshi, with the New York Post reporting he wagered $516,000 there on the Houston Astros to win the World Series, with a potential payout of $13 million. McIngvale lost, of course, because the Astros have already been knocked out by the Chicago White Sox, but he no longer has to worry about those refunds.
- TheScore Bet and the NFL on Friday announced a new partnership in Canada that will allow the gaming platform to use NFL trademarks and marketing rights. The partnership includes all platforms in Penn Entertainment’s Canadian portfolio.
ICYMI
Kalshi Volume Surges, But Rivals Chip Away At Its Market Share
Kalshi Says Second Circuit Already Found CEA Preempts State Laws In 1981 ‘Potato War’ Case
Flutter And DraftKings Shares Tumble Further, Hit Lowest Levels In Years
Midterm Market Monitor: Have We Seen The Republican Bottom?
CME Launches Sports Team Futures On NHL Team Performance
G2E: MGM CEO Says Prediction Markets ‘Want Nothing To Do With Gambling’
G2E: Indian Country ‘Strongest Together’ And Getting Stronger
G2E: Teamwork Critical In Preserving Integrity Of The Game
