Half-Year Recognitions for the 2021 Sports Betting Industry

Canada has lifted its ban on single-game sports betting, giving provinces the opportunity to regulate the activity. Across the border, the U.S. sports betting market is undergoing significant changes.

New York is poised to become America's top sports betting state in terms of betting handle, following the legalization of mobile sports betting. This move, triggered by Governor Andrew Cuomo at the beginning of 2021, marks a major shift in the regulated betting market in the USA.

However, New York's mobile betting market may not fully maximize the market size or customer experience, as some concerns have been raised. Meanwhile, the threat posed by changing interpretations of the Wire Act of 1961 has been erased, at least for now.

The regulated U.S. sports gambling industry faced technology challenges during the Super Bowl, causing outages for several platforms. DraftKings, a major player in the market, paid for advertising during the Super Bowl but experienced an outage during the game.

In other developments, Tennessee operator TN Action 24/7 was temporarily suspended for alleged financial crimes. Better Collective acquired The Action Network for 240 million U.S. dollars, while The Vegas Golden Knights ended a partnership with UpickTrade.com after receiving backlash.

Elsewhere, Arizona has suddenly legalized sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS), and Connecticut and its tribes have reached a deal for mobile gambling. Florida is advancing sports betting legislation, but a mobile aspect may be undone.

The NFL has simultaneously announced deals with Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel as official partners. The Associated Press has partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook as its official odds provider.

In the competitive mobile market in Florida, DraftKings and FanDuel are pushing for a more competitive landscape. UpickTrade announced a partnership with Pete Rose to share his daily sports picks.

March 2021 set a record for the highest amount of money wagered nationally, with over $4.6 billion. As the U.S. sports betting landscape continues to evolve, it's clear that the industry will face both challenges and opportunities in the coming months.