The U.S. sports betting world moves quickly and unpredictably in 2025. 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.
How Ohio may get at least one new NFL stadium
Both the NFL Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns want new stadiums. Not surprisingly, the owners of each do not want to foot the bill. At least not all of it. The Browns this week might have gotten a little closer to their goal.
Tuesday, the Ohio Senate revealed hundreds of proposed amendments to the proposed state budget. Among the most surprising is $600 million earmarked for the building of a domed football stadium in suburban Cleveland. The money, however, would not come from an increase in sports betting taxes or the legalization of iGaming. Nope, instead, uncashed government checks and dormant bank accounts would fund it.
From Statehouse News: “it would be through a performance grant program they want funded by a percentage of money managed by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds. … ‘By the time the state gets it, it’s already (been) five to 10 or even longer years, and then it sits in the state for 10 years before it would be escheated,’ Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said, meaning the state would claim the funds.”
It appeared earlier this year that new gambling taxes might fund stadium improvements or builds. Gov. Mike DeWine proposed to double the tax on wagering operators for the second time in two years with stadium improvements as recipients. But lawmakers pushed back, and so far have not considered increasing the tax. But Sen. Louis Blessing May 14 introduced SB 199, an additional tax on sports betting. The bill would impose a 2% tax on handle, in addition to the existing 20% tax on gross gaming revenue. Proceeds would go, in part, to fund a new stadium for the Bengals. The bill, however, has not been reported out of the Senate Select Committee on Gaming, to which it was referred May 28.
Busted and banned file
Ok, well, maybe not busted in the technical sense, but the Houston Police Department identified the bettor who made threats to Houston Astro Lance McCullers, Jr. and his family, per ESPN on Monday. The bettor, who was not identified, lives outside of the U.S., and admitted to being drunk and betting when he sent the threats. HPD told ESPN that the case is still open, but no charges have been filed yet.
Two days later, ESPN reported that FanDuel banned a bettor who posted a video of himself heckling Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas and referencing a parlay. The bettor reportedly posted on Twitter/X, “I made Gabby lose by heckling her. And it made my parlay win.”
The man who threatened McCullers reportedly apologized for sending threats — which according to McCullers included one to “find my kids and murder them” — and asked that the apology be relayed to McCullers.
Athletes say these kinds of threats have escalated in recent years. Last week, Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Henricks shared his story on Instagram:
MLB reinstates four players
Major League Baseball, per ESPN, on Thursday reinstated Athletics relief pitcher Michael Kelly, Arizona reliever Andrew Saalfrank, Philadelphia infielder José Rodríguez, and San Diego starter Jay Groome. All four were serving year-long suspensions for violating the league’s gambling policy. The A’s reinstated Kelly, and he allowed no hits in 1-1/3 innings against Minnesota.
The Diamondbacks optioned Saalfrank to rookie ball, and Rodriguez and Groome were not offered contracts. Each player wagered less than $1,000.
Circa to debut Kentucky’s biggest retail sportsbook
Circa Sports announced Thursday it is revamping its retail sportsbook at The Mint in Franklin, Kentucky, and it will be the biggest one in the state. The 5,100-square foot location will feature an 80-foot wide LED screen and a 31-foot odds board. The sportsbook will also have a live broadcast studio for VSiN, as well as stadium seating.
“After operating in Kentucky for a year, introducing a sportsbook of this caliber to the region marks a significant milestone for Circa Sports,” Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports, said via press release. “Along with Kentucky, we’re also seeing tremendous excitement from fans in Tennessee — especially in Nashville. Together with The Mint, we’re creating a high-tech betting destination that will bring a new level of live-viewing excitement for customers across both states.”
Franklin is just north of the Tennessee border — and that state does not have any retail sportsbooks.
The company did not point to a specific opening date.
In Illinois, the state gaming board Thursday granted initial supplier licenses to Circa, Sportradar, and Stadium during at its meeting. Circa, which has been operating both mobile and retail sportsbooks in the state since September 2023, plans to “supply an internally developed sports wagering platform and related equipment to its affiliate and Illinois Gaming Board-licensed management services provider Circa Sports LLC.”
Ohio wagering kiosks to go dark
Bettors in Ohio will have one fewer way to place a sports bet after June 22 when Intralot wagering kiosks go offline. Intralot was also the original operator for Washington, D.C.’s failed digital betting platform and kiosks.
Ohio was the first state to allow kiosks in grocery stores, bowling alleys, and other unusual spots. The hope was that they would draw in customers to those businesses, but that theory did not play out. Intralot was not the only kiosk operator. BetSkyBox exited the state in July 2024. UBetOhio will continue to operate its kiosks in bars, pubs, and 15 Kroger stores.
NFL announces responsible gambling initiative
The National Football League has partnered with the International Center for Responsible Gaming “to address growing concerns around gambling behaviors among college athletes and students,” according to a press release. Over the next three years, the NFL Foundation will contribute $600,000 toward research to “explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of gambling behaviors in these populations.”
New Canada ad guidelines bill drops
Canadian lawmaker Marty Deacon on May 28 dropped a new bill that would strengthen advertising guidelines in Canada. Deacon filed a similar bill in 2023 and in remarks during second reading Tuesday, he said, “I am, of course, disappointed to be back here at square one,” and that it is “staggering how little has changed in sports betting promotion” since his last bill was discussed.
S-211 would limit the number of gambling ads during sports events, and would limit or ban the use of celebrities in such ads. In Ontario, regulators have already banned the use of celebrities in gambling advertising unless they are promoting responsible gaming. The bill also calls for additional research into problem gambling and would “set out national standards for the prevention and diagnosis of harmful gambling and addiction and for support measures for persons who are impacted by it.”
According to Gaming News Canada, a new study shows that MediaRadar released a list of top advertisers by the numbers of ads during the Stanley Cup Playoffs — and gambling does not crack the top 10. Restaurant Brands Intl., Hyundai, Pepsico, and the Bank of Nova Scotia all had more than 4,000 ads between April 11-May 14.
SailGP to get into sports betting game
DraftKings of the sea? Wet365?
SailGP this week announced a deal to provide data to DraftKings and bet365 that will allow the sportsbooks to post odds on the international sailing league beginning June 7.
SailGP Chief Revenue Officer Ben Johnson:
“It is really reflective of how good the teams are currently and how much competition there is on a race-to-race basis, which makes it really fun for fans from a betting and gaming perspective,” he said. “You can have an odds favorite, but at the end of the day, it really depends which team is sailing most competitively that weekend in that venue.”
It has nothing to do with gambling, but it’s noteworthy that actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman just bought a stake in the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP team.
Jay-Z bets $1 million, will be at Fanatics Fest
Fanatics Betting & Gaming investor Jay-Z placed a $1 million bet on the platform on the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals in five games, the company announced Thursday. The bet is the largest one reported by any sports betting operator for the Finals. The Pacers won Game 1 Thursday night, meaning that the Thunder would have to win four straight for Jay-Z’s bet to pay out.
In other Fanatics news, the company will hold its annual Fest at the Javits Center in New York City June 20-22. This year, Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club will be “reimagined” for an “exclusive club experience.” The lounge will be decked out with framed jerseys, stadium seating, and premium beverages. Jay-Z and Fanatics founder Michael Rubin and other celebrities will be in the exclusive invitiation-only venue.
The event brings together Fanatics’ different businesses, creating a fan experience for those into sports betting, team jerseys, or trading cards all in one place. Among the other celebrities who will attend are Tom Brady, Kevin Costner, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Spike Lee, Dwyane Wade, and Victor Wembanyama.
Check this out …
Yes, this is a shameless plug for our sister site Casino Reports, but with so much pushback from the gambling industry after Illinois’ late-night tax hike, we figured we’d share what we’ve been listening to. Sports Betting Alliance President Jeremy Kudon had some choice words about Illinois lawmakers on the Low Rollers podcast. Meanwhile, over at IGB, World Series of Politics hosts Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden said Illinois is basically the opposite of a business-friendly state.
ICYMI on InGame
Illinois lawmakers’ latest money grab may send bettors to black market
Illinois legislature adds another tax on sports betting
Sports Betting Alliance president unloads on Illinois tax move
Arizona to CFTC: Event contracts are gambling and not in best interests of state
Fading the Rockies for a week was not the ATM we were promised
