The in-depth reporting and industry coverage that has defined Sports Handle for years now lives on the as part of a new strategic initiative from the parent company of both, Better Collective. In an effort to serve fans of Sports Handle, we present the best of our daily coverage on Action Network, summarized below, with links to the full stories on Action:
In a world where sports betting is part of the mainstream, impacts are felt deeply across society — and not without consequences, especially for low-income households. According to a recent study, those in the lowest income bracket experience disproportionate losses from sports betting. In fact, the study found that the poorest households lost on average $1,267 per year on sports betting, a significant amount for people earning $25,000 or less. This clearly highlights the socioeconomic impact of legal internet sports betting in America, with the most vulnerable potentially further disadvantaged. Full story here.
Popular YouTuber Jake Paul continues to be a major betting favorite against legendary professional boxer Mike Tyson as Tyson returns to the boxing ring following a health scare for a fight slated for Nov. 15. Paul is a heavy -270 favorite over Tyson (+205) at DraftKings. Tyson is also a +200 underdog at bet365, translating to a win probability of 33.3%. This dynamic shifts from the norm, where professional boxers are usually favored over YouTube personalities. However, in this case, Paul’s consistent victories over notable sports stars, combined with Tyson’s age, have tilted the odds in Paul’s favor. Full story here.
Michigan had a robust July 2024. The state revenue report reveals a total gross revenue of $114.2 million, up 19% from June 2024. This improvement is credited to the surge in betting activity during the NBA Finals and the completion of interstate online poker compacts. Additionally, casinos and racetracks reported a combined total of $320.4 million in gross revenue. Full story here.
In New Jersey, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is counting the cost of what the Division of Gaming Enforcement terms a “civil penalty.” The casino has been charged $75,000 for accepting prohibited sports bets on New Jersey college basketball games in November and December 2023. The Borgata acknowledged the misplaced bets in its self-reporting and hastened to redress the situation by canceling pending bets and refunding bettors. Full story here.
Former Iowa State tight end DeShawn Hanika is partnering with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) for a novel initiative aimed at decreasing gambling-related harm and promoting education about responsible gambling behavior. Now a tight end at Kansas, Hanika played a decisive role in spotlighting student-athlete susceptibility to gambling violations. After missing the 2023 season for sports betting violations at Iowa State, Hanika transferred to the Cyclones’ Big 12 rivals. Full story here.
Pennsylvania set a record in July 2024 by generating a sports betting revenue totaling $59.4 million, reflecting a 14% month-over-month growth. Online bets provided the majority of revenue, accounting for close to $55.5 million. While July marks the third consecutive month of double-digit growth in betting revenue, the state is optimistic that the upcoming NFL season and college football will further augment the revenue numbers.
