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Sports

Conor McGregor’s Fight Prediction May End Up Coming True

James MurrayBy James Murray

Conor McGregor

In just a few days, Conor McGregor will make his highly-anticipated return to the cage against his old rival, Dustin Poirier. It’s one of the biggest MMA fights in recent memory and has massive implications for the lightweight division. Some fans now believe that Conor McGregor’s fight prediction will end up coming true.

Conor is known for calling his shot inside the cage. He’s certainly facing a difficult task in this bout. Today, we’re going to talk about how Conor expects this main event fight to play out.

Let’s get into it!

UFC 257 is Taking Place in Less Than One Week!

On January 16, the UFC held its first event of 2021. This show reminded fans why mixed martial arts is one of the most exciting sports in the world. It was an incredible fight card featuring one of the best main event fights in recent history.

The UFC isn’t slowing down anytime soon. This Wednesday, the promotion is putting on another exciting event featuring a main event between two of the best welterweights in the sport. On Saturday, January 23, UFC 257 is set to finally go down. It’s not taking place in Las Vegas, though. This card is set for “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

This is one of the biggest UFC events in months. Just about all fans are excited to see how Conor McGregor looks in his return. It will have been more than a year since his last bout and he’s facing an extremely difficult test in Dustin Poirier.

Most eyes are obviously on the main event. The co-main event is also set to be incredible. This will feature Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler. Many fans and analysts are excited to see how Chandler fares against the best fighters in the UFC.

The undercard is exciting, too. Many are extremely excited to see the fight between Nasrat Haqparast and Arman Tsarukyan. These are two extremely talented young lightweight fighters with devastating striking skills.

It’s going to be a wild night for MMA fans around the world. Conor McGregor is promising a masterpiece. Will his bold fight prediction end up coming true?

Taking a Close Look at Conor McGregor’s Fight Prediction

One of the reasons for Conor McGregor’s success is his unwavering confidence. Prior to his fights, “Notorious” calls his shot and is oftentimes correct. Back in 2014, he told everyone that would listen that he would knock Dustin Poirier out in the first round. That ended up being correct.

Conor anticipates an even more impressive performance this time around. Last week, he told the media he would finish Dustin within 60 seconds. It’s an extremely bold prediction to make against one of the best lightweights in the sport.

“He’s a good fighter, even a great fighter, but great is still levels below me. I’ll knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds,” McGregor said. 

There’s reason to believe that Conor McGregor’s fight prediction might end up coming true, though. The last time he stepped into the cage, McGregor defeated Donald Cerrone via knockout in just 47 seconds. He has the opportunity to earn another sub-minute knockout against “The Diamond” this Saturday.

Poirier recognizes that Conor will be coming out of the gate firing. He is taking a different approach to this bout and wants to drag the Irishman into the later rounds. Here, he believes, is where the fighter with more grit and determination will shine.

Many analysts feel the first minute of this bout will tell a lot. If Conor is able to establish his range early without much resistance, he is likely to earn another knockout in the first round. If Poirier mixes up his striking and grappling to push Conor into the late rounds, he might be able to get a stoppage before the final bell.

This is an incredible matchup. Fans around the world will be tuning in to see how Conor looks in his return. Many are also choosing to bet on how this fight plays out!

There’s Still Time to Bet on McGregor vs. Poirier 2 Online!

MMA betting is growing more popular every single month. 2020 ended up being one of the biggest years in the sport’s history. As more fans began watching major UFC events, more wagers began flowing in on the big fights.

UFC 257 is set to be one of the biggest fight cards in recent history. Will Conor McGregor’s fight prediction end up coming true? Can Dustin withstand the early onslaught from McGregor? There are a huge number of questions surrounding this contest.

Bovada, one of the best online sportsbooks in the US, is now offering odds on this bout. Many are astounded to see where each man stands with the oddsmakers. These odds are offering some fantastic opportunities to win big.

Conor McGregor comes into this bout as the -300 favorite. He seems extremely motivated for this fight and appears to be in tremendous shape. Many fans believe that “Notorious” will end up earning the knockout before the end of the first round.

Dustin Poirier is not the same fighter that faced Conor McGregor back in 2014. He has improved massively since that time and seems to be in his prime. At +230, Dustin might be well-worth a wager on to earn some big bucks.

Do you plan to bet on this fight? Who do you think ends up winning? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Online Gambling, Sports, Sports Betting, Washington

BetMGM to Open Physical Sportsbook at Nationals Park

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

BetMGM announced on Monday that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with MLB’s Washington Nationals to open a brick and mortar sportsbook at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

The partnership includes the use of BetMGM’s mobile betting app within the area surrounding the ballpark. BetMGM will have its signage inside Nationals Park with the gambling company designated as the MLB team’s official sports betting partner.

Said BetMGM Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost in a statement:

“This new partnership with the Nationals is our most in-depth partnership with a team and showcases the multitude of ways we’re able to engage fans in and out of stadiums.”

Sportsbook inside the Arena

The brick and mortar sportsbook inside Nationals Park will be the second of its kind in the market. In 2018, William Hill opened a temporary physical sportsbook at the Capital One Arena which is the home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals. A permanent sportsbook is currently under construction and is expected to open in early spring.

The Nationals Park sportsbook will be located in the space which is currently the Center Field Social, across Center Field Plaza from the Nationals Team Store. That means that the 4,400 square foot Las Vegas Style sportsbook won’t be accessible to fans inside the stadium but that’s where the sports betting app comes in.

BetMGM Sports Betting App

The BetMGM sports betting app will let fans inside the stadium place bets. Per the District’s sports betting regulations, the mobile app will be accessible to bettors from withing two blocks of Nationals Park. BetMGM is targeting the launch of the app for the start of the 2021 MLB season.

Under the District’s sports betting regulations, sports betting apps that are connected to a venue’s physical sportsbook can only operate within a few blocks from the surrounding venue. Only Gamebet DC, the mobile app operated by the D.C. Lottery can be accessed throughout the entire city.

BetMGM Gets Foothold of the Region

The deal with the Washington Nationals will likely give BetMGM a foothold of the region. BetMGM currently operates in 11 states. It already has a sports betting facility in West Virginia and is expected to launch in Virginia this year. BetMGM is also the likely sports betting operator at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland once the state approves its sports betting regulations.

The physical BetMGM sportsbook will include betting windows, electronic betting, and betting kiosks. It will be open all-year round even before or after the MLB season. The sportsbook will not be governed pandemic-related stadium restrictions because it is not a ticketed space. Instead, it will follow all D.C. regulations.

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Michigan, Online Gambling, Sports, Sports Betting

PointsBet Named as Sports Betting Partner of Detroit Pistons

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Sports Betting Graphic and Man Holding Fan of Money
Fast growing sportsbook PointsBet announced on Thursday that is has become a sports betting partner of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons team.

PointBet was one of the 15 gambling operators to receiver a provisional license to launch legal Michigan online sports betting ahead of the state opening its legal internet sports wagering market.

Said PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken:

“PointsBet is thrilled to partner with the Pistons, aligning with a first-class organisation supported by particularly passionate fans. We’re proud to increase our investment in the Detroit and greater Michigan sports community after joining forces with the Detroit Tigers last July. Michigan is a fantastic sports state, and we look forward to the opportunity to soon serve Michigan sports bettors on a personalised platform with unrivalled speed and ease of use, now alongside both the Pistons and brand ambassador Rip Hamilton – a storied champion at both the collegiate and professional levels who’s work ethic and spirited style embodies the PointsBet philosophy.”

Rip Hamilton as Brand Ambassador

Three-time NBA All-Star and member of the Pistons’ 2004 championship team Richard “Rip” Hamilton has been named as PointsBet brand ambassador. Hamilton, who led the Pistons to six straight appearances in the NBA Conference Finals and back to back trips to the NBA Finals, will also be the face of the gambling company’s Michigan-based sports betting products as it prepares for the expected launch of Michigan legal sports betting.

According to PointsBet, they will leverage Hamilton’s knowledge of basketball and his familiarity with the Detroit sports atmosphere and align his insights with the company’s product offerings. His addition to the team will complement PointBet’s aim to provide the highest quality and most comprehensive sports betting experiences to its customers.

PointsBet Branding

With the partnership, PointsBet will have the rights to in-game, broadcast-visible signage opportunities. PointsBet branding will also be displayed at the team’s website Pistons.com as well as in its mobile app, and the team’s social media channels. The deal also gives PointsBet the full usage of Detroit Pistons IP, marks, and logos plus sponsorship opportunities

Michigan legal sports betting is expected to be launched later this month. However, PointsBet is expected to release soon its market-leading sports betting app for sports bettors within Michigan.Those who are interested can participate in the company’s free-to-play challenge, the PointsBet Pick 6, which is a contest-style game that allows sports fans in the country to experience PointBet’s top of the line service and technology while having the opportunity to win $25,000 per week.

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Sports, Sports Betting

Walt Disney Sees Sports Betting As Key Opportunity

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Odds Board and Money
The Walt Disney Company has always made sure that its content is kid and family-friendly. But with the changing times, the mass media and entertainment conglomerate is looking to put it hands on gambling.

At its annual Investors Day conference, Disney talked about ESPN’s partnership with Caesars Entertainment which integrates ESPN’s sports content with Caesars sports betting platform. According to Disney, it would “double-down” on that content integration for its ESPN+ platform in order to create a hub and to increase the channel’s appeal.

Per Roundhill Investments analyst Matias Dorta:

“Disney says sports betting is a focal point for the company, and it’s clear sports fans are gravitating to ESPN+, which, in turn, will introduce many viewers to the world of sports betting.”

The Struggles of ESPN+

Disney bought ESPN in 1996 and part of ESPN’s network is ESPN+ , the streaming platform of the sports network. Despite bearing the name of the “worldwide leader in sports”, ESPN+ has struggled compared to its compatriots Disney+ and Hulu.

ESPN+ has a total of 11.5M subscribers which is good. But Disney+ has 86.8M subscribers and Hulu 38.8M.With the coronavirus pandemic disrupting the sports calendar, the struggles of ESPN+ has been highlighted.

In April, the sports network saw highly paid executives and on-air personalities take pay cuts to avert staff layoffs. Last month, ESPN announced that it will be cutting 300 jobs and will not be filling in 200 vacant positions. According to Disney, for ESPN+ to be profitable it needs to increase its subscription rate from the existing $5 per month to around $45-50. Aside from that, it needs to add at least 500,000 more subscribers.

Changing Tunes

Disney previously oppose efforts to expand the gaming industry in Florida with its Walt Disney World located in Orlando. Neither Florida nor California currently allow sports betting. Chairman Bob Iger said at the close of the 21st century that its was unlikely that Disney would push for sports betting. But now Iger is changing tunes and that’s not surprising.

Disney has existing partnerships with Caesars Entertainment and DraftKings. ESPN has a nightly show called “The Daily Wager” which gives viewers the the day’s best bets. ESPN also shows betting odds and lines for almost every sporting event on its bottom ticker. Segments like Bad Beats and Winner$ where the favorite bets and worst betting beats are discussed.

These shows and segments are already on ESPN and can easily be diverted to the ESPN+ paywall. Or Disney could come up with the same type of content for ESPN+. With the sports betting industry was worth $85B in 2019 and is expected to grow substantially with more states legalizing sports betting. Disney doesn’t want to miss on that opportunity.

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Online Gambling, Sports

Flutter To Drop $4.18B For Additional 32.7% Stake in FanDuel

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Hundred Dollar Bills
Flutter increased its stake in sportsbook operator FanDuel, buying 37.2% of the company for a sum of $4.18B.

The consideration is expected to be satisfied through a combination of a $2.088B cash payment and the issuance of approximately 11.7M new Flutter shares directly to Fastball. According to Flutter, the cash portion of the agreement will be funded through cash on the balance sheet and an equity placing to raise an additional 1.1B pounds.

FOX Corporation would participate in the capital raising and in return, the US-based FOX Sports , which is owned by FOX Corporation, will be given an option to buy 18.5% of FanDuel in July 2021.

Said Flutter CEO Peter Jackson in a statement:

“Flutter’s initial acquisition of a controlling stake in FanDuel in 2018 has been transformational for the shape of the Group. Our number one position in the crucial U.S. market is built on many of the assets we acquired through that transaction, supported by the broader Group’s capabilities. Our intention has always been to increase our stake in the business and I’m delighted to be able to do so earlier than originally planned and at a discount to its closest peer.”

Terminating Fastball’s Interest in FOX Bet

Flutter, which owns European iGaming properties Paddy Power, Betfair, and Poker Stars, acquired 57.8% of FanDuel in 2018. With the latest agreement, it will now own 95% of the top betting company in the United States and terminate Fastball’s economic interest in the online sports betting platform FOX Bet.

The deal would simplify the position of FOX Bet, in which Fastball was given an interest as part of Flutter’s merger with the Star Group of Canada in 2019. According to Flutter, the union created one of the largest online betting and gaming operator in the business.

Attractive American Scene

Flutter Entertainment said that this transaction will increase its exposure in the U.S. market materially. It described the American scene as the “most attractive” sector opportunity there is today.

The United States is viewed as the next big market in sports betting and it has led to big partnerships involving European companies. Last September, Caesars Entertainment purchased London-based William Hill for $3.9B.

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Sports, Sports Betting

BetMGM and Yahoo Sports Partnership Continues To Expand

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Person Browsing a Sports Betting Site on a Tablet
The sports wagering partnership between the MGM-GVC venture BetMGM and the Verizon-owned Yahoo Sports continues to flourish as the U.S. sports betting industry continues to grow.

Said Yahoo Sports general manager Geoff Reiss in an interview last week:

“What Yahoo brings to the partnership is the largest base of the most qualified, predisposed, and passionate sports fans. We have the ability to provide frictionless and seamless integrations between the products.”

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the original roll-out plan, the integration between these two giant companies has been seamless and both companies continue to come up with fresh ideas and new features.

New Features

The newest features include fantasy sports users in eligible stats being able to access player prop odds on the player card and players’ tab within several locations. Users are then able to place corresponding bets on BetMGM’s platform. Aside from that, BetMGM has also leveraged Yahoo’s fantasy scoring system by coming up with prop bets based on fantasy point totals.

For now U.S. sports betting enthusiasts in New Jersey, Indiana, West Virginia, Colorado, and Tennessee are able to use their Yahoo accounts to register and sign-in to their BetMGM accounts. After registering to their BetMGM accounts, these Yahoo Sports users can then make wagers via BetMGM without having to download the BetMGM App.

Exclusive Partnership

In October 2019, Yahoo Sports and BetMGM announced an exclusive U.S. sportsbetting partnership that was geared towards creating collaborative content experiences and live events for fans. At that time, BetMGM was active in only two states. But with Yahoo Sports’ over 60 million monthly users, the partnership was bound to be mutually beneficial for both parties. Today, BetMGM is live in seven states with still many in the pipeline.

With U.S. sports betting now legal and active in 19 states and Washington D.C. plus another six states expected to launch in 2021, the sports betting industry is at an all-time high in the United States and the Yahoo Sports-BetMGM partnership is capitalizing on the rapid development.

BetMGM Expanding

BetMGM has been expanding its business this year. It recently got a license to offer online casino and sports betting products in Pennsylvania with its casino gaming in the Keystone State expected to launch this month. BetMGM officials are hopeful that sportsbetting will follow.

The company also has marketing partnerships with the NFL teams Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, and Denver Broncos. Reiss sees these partnerships as part of the “fluid nature” of the growth of U.S. sports betting.

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Sports, Sports Betting

William Hill Shareholders Approve Caesars Entertainment Takeover

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Odds Board and MoneyCaesars Entertainment’s proposed takeover of William Hill has been approved by the latter’s shareholders, paving the way for the “historic acquisition” to be completed next year.

In a virtual vote held on Thursday, over 86% of William Hill shareholders accepted Caesar Entertainment’s $3.7B bid for the U.K. bookmaker, subject to the approval of the English court. The number was easily more than the 75% needed to consummate the deal.

Both parties are said to be making progress towards securing all the necessary regulatory requirements needed to close the transaction. According to Caesars, they are expecting to conclude the deal by the end of the second quarter of 2021.

Said Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg:

“We are pleased to have received William Hill shareholder support for our recommended cash offer. We will continue to work towards satisfying the remaining regulatory conditions and look forward to completing the transaction next year and integrating William Hill US into our Caesars sports betting and iGaming franchise.”

Focus on US Assets

Caesars Entertainment has made it clear that its focus is on William Hill’s U.S. bookmaking business which consists of 170 retail shops in 13 different states. The owners of Caesars Entertainment added that they intend to sell the U.K. bookmaker’s non-US operations, including 1,400 U.K. betting shops.

Last week, GVC Holdings CEO Shay Segov said via Bloomberg that his company is interested in making a bid for William Hill’s UK and European assets. Also reportedly interested in bidding for William Hill’s non-US assets is Apollo Management Corporation which previously backed out of a bidding war with Caesars Entertainment for the entire William Hill business. Apollo is said to be particularly interested in William Hill’s UK business. William Hill’s online revenue in the UK is twice as large as its overseas online income.

Monumental Acquisition

Last September, Caesars Entertainment agreed to a monumental acquisition of the British-based gambling company. The move was aimed at the expansion of its share in the U.S. sports betting industry which has exponentially grown since the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.

Caesars Entertainment currently owns 20% of William Hill’s U.S. operations. Under the current partnership, William Hill  has the exclusive right to operate sports betting under the Caesars brand. Caesars believes that merging the assets of both companies represents a compelling opportunity to improve the offering and experience for their customers.

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Sports, Sports Betting, Tennessee

BetMGM Named Inks Sports Betting Deal With Tennessee Titans

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Flag Of Tennessee
BetMGM became part of Tennessee Sport Betting history on Monday when it scored the first ever gambling partnership with a Tennessee professional sports team in the NFL’s Titans.

BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings were the three sports betting operators who were given a conditional license by the Tennessee Education Lottery Board’s Sports Wagering Committee last September 23. The three gambling companies are slated to launch their online betting platforms on November 1st, pending the approval from the Tennessee Education Lottery Company.

Gil Beverly, Titans Sr. Vice President, Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer, said in a press release:

“We are thrilled to bring BetMGM to the state of Tennessee. BetMGM will deliver new experiences and levels of engagement to our fans and we’re excited to welcome them in as an official partner.”

Official Partner

As official partner, BetMGM receive brand visibility across the Titans’ different digital platforms. The BetMGM logo will appear in crucial parts of the live game including field goal attempts and video board replays.

BetMGM will also be the sponsor of a forthcoming raffle which will benefit the Titans Foundation. The betting company will likewise become the exclusive naming rights partner of the Titans’ Saint Thomas Sports Park television studio and Titans’ content shown throughout Tennessee.

The joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings first launched its sportsbook in New Jersey in July 2018. Also known for its online casino and poker services, the BetMGM app is now available for download in seven U.S. states.

Online Tennessee Sports Betting

Although brick and mortar casinos are still prohibited in the state, online Tennessee sports betting became legal on July 1, 2019 and it became such without the signature of Gov. Bill Lee who at that time did not believe that legalizing sports betting would be of the state’s best interest.

Tennessee sports betting is regulated by the state lottery officials who approved the rules last April and started reviewing applications for operators last June. The Tennessee Lottery board continues to review applications for additional sports betting operators, vendors, and suppliers. There is no limit as to the number of licenses the board can issue but they must meet specific requirements.

The law allows sports betting in Tennessee only via the internet, mobile devices, and telecommunications platforms. Bettors must at least be 21 years of age and they must be physically present within the state borders when their bets are placed.

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Pennsylvania, Sports, Sports Betting

Philadelphia Eagles Announce Sponsorship Deal With FOX Bet

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker


Tuesday saw another professional sports team in the U.S. sign a deal with a gambling company as the Philadelphia Eagles signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with FOX Bet. The deal was announced on Tuesday via the Eagles website.

Said Fox Bet CMO Andrew Schneider:

“FOX Bet enhances the fan experience in a big way, and this is a fanbase that knows and appreciates big things. They’re passionate, tough and willing to do whatever it takes to win. To connect our offering to this one-of-a-kind fanbase is a game-changer. Eagles fans are going to love this, and we’re honored to have this association with a team that is primed for a successful 2020 season.”

Sponsorship Agreement

The sponsorship agreement involves broadcast, digital, and social media advertising on all team channels, custom promotions, and a strong branding presence during Eagles’ games. The deal also includes messaging on the stadium’s LED and end zone boards. FOX Bet signages will also be placed on the concourse levels

FOX Bet will also serve as the presenting sponsor of Eagles Edge, which is a new program that airs on the team’s digital channels after each of their games. Filmed on game days when the Eagles are playing at Lincoln Financial Field, this series will be broadcast via the Eagles Official YouTube Channel, Eagles Official Mobile App, PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Eagles social media channels, and the team’s other digital channels.

Premium Lounge and Interactive Studio

The Eagles also revealed that it includes the construction of a FOX Bet-branded premium lounge and interactive studio at Lincoln Financial Field. The lounge will feature exclusive content across all platforms and will be presented by Eagles on-air personalities, Eagles Legends, and FOX Bet contributors.

Once fans will be be allowed to watch the games, the lounge will be open to ticketed guests on game day. The 4,000 square-foot studio can accommodate up to 380 persons. Guests will enjoy all-inclusive food and beverage options. They will also be entitled to behind-the-scenes premium access, prime locations to watch player arrivals, and live post-game press conference. Fans can access the studio two and a half hours before kickoff and one hour after post-game.

Betting-related deals in the NFL

The Eagles are the second professional sports team to sign a sponsorship deal with FOX Bet. Last year, the Philadelphia 76ers also entered into a multi-year sponsorship contract with FOX Bet.FOX Bet is a mobile casino that was formed from the partnership between The Stars Group and Fox Sports.

Since the NFL cleared its clubs to sign betting-related deals last spring, some NFL teams have been busy making deals. The Denver Broncos have signed pacts with BetMGM, Betfred, and FanDuel. The Detroit Lions also have a deal with BetMGM. Likewise, the NFL has inked betting partnership contracts with BetCris, 888Holdings, and SkyBet.

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Lottery, Sports, Sports Betting, Virginia

Virgnia’s “Sports Bettor Bill of Rights” Draws Flak From Major Operators

Brian WalkerBy Brian Walker

Virginia Sign

The public comment period on the proposed rules and regulations of sports betting in Virginia ended last Wednesday and some of the initial policies have received opposition from major gambling operators.

During the review process, major platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel have taken issue with some of the consumer protection rules that officials are proposing. One particular regulation that has received negative feedback is the one that requires the betting platforms to provide players with information that can help them make “informed decisions about their gambling”. These information include how the odds were calculated, odds of winning a bet, and the handle and payout amounts.

Other Issues That Drew Negative Reactions

According to the gambling operators, no other sports betting state in the United States has imposed a similar requirement. FanDuel in particular, noted that it recently offered 24 different bets on an NBA playoff game and that had nearly 300 potential outcomes and even more possible parlay wagers. Presenting the required information under Virginia’s proposed Sports Bettors Bill of Rights in real time will cause logistical problems on both processing power and screen space.

Other issues that drew negative reactions include the process of allowing players voluntarily ban themselves from sports betting for two years, five years, or for life if they feel they are losing too much money or if they feel they are getting addicted to gambling. The regulations also requires gambling operators to submit all marketing and advertising materials to the Lottery for pre-approval. The advertising rules also prohibit them from targeting minors and ads that violate “good taste” are disallowed.

Additionally, there is a proposed rule that bans betting on the Olympics, something which was not included in the legislation of the General Assembly. For this issue, the operators argued that excluding some sports evets would defeat the purpose of the legislation. Several companies also requested for a more lenient advertising policy where they won’t need a formal sign-off in advance.

Laying The Foundation of Virginia Sports Betting

The public review is being conducted by the Lottery to lay the foundation of the sports betting rules in Virginia. The outcome of the review will determine how quickly or not sports betting will launch in the state and what the bettors expect to see in the betting apps when they are officially launched. If all goes well, sports betting is expected to start next year in Virginia.

This year, the General Assembly passed a legislation authorizing the Virginia Lottery to hand out between four to 12 sports betting licenses in the state. Sports betting in Virginia will start online, largely via sports betting apps. However, it could eventually expand to the brick and mortar casinos being planned in different cities and the Colonial Downs operated Rosie’s gambling places.

The Virginia Lottery Board is expected to meet on Tuesday to vote on the new rules on sports betting. Once the rules and regulations are in place, the Lottery will begin accepting applications for sports betting licenses next month. Sports betting is expected to bring in an annual $55M in state tax revenues.