## The Condition of the Nation: Will the Highest Court Examine Florida’s Wagering Case?
Welcome to iGB’s Condition of the Nation, where we revisit the most significant news in North American sports betting this week, and discuss other news we find intriguing.
**Condition of the Nation: A Review of the Past Week in North America**
Alex Koma, a journalist for the Washington City Paper, reported that Frank Suarez, the Director of Lottery and Gaming for the Washington, D.C. Lottery Office, has stepped down. Suarez has accepted a similar position with the Connecticut Lottery. The OLG director had been under pressure for months as the D.C. Council has been considering breaking up the exclusive control in the region. Suarez was questioned by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie.
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which oversees the lottery, informed me that Suarez will be the leader of the Connecticut Lottery. He will officially depart D.C. on July 31st.
**The Outcome of Florida Sports Betting…**
Judges of the U.S. Supreme Court met on Thursday (June 13th) to determine whether to hear spoken arguments in the case of Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Deb Haaland, et al. This case could determine the future of legal sports betting in Florida. According to the Supreme Court website, the results of the meeting will be released on June 17th at 9:30 AM ET.
The core of the matter is whether the Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland, should give her consent to the accord reached between Florida and the Seminole Tribe in 2021. This accord permits wagers to be deemed as placed within the tribe’s domain, even if they are made elsewhere.
In essence, any wager made through the tribe’s servers in Florida is deemed to have been made on tribal land. West Flagler, a horse racing venue, maintains that Haaland exceeded her authority in endorsing the accord. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the accord itself. These include whether the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act governs off-track wagering, and whether the accord contravenes the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
The champion of the hot dog consumption competition will be indulging in a Netflix special.
Joey Chestnut, who was reportedly prohibited from the renowned Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, will confront his long-standing adversary. Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi have agreed to a live Labor Day all-beef hot dog eating competition on Netflix. The contest will be broadcast on September 2, according to the Associated Press.
There has been a considerable amount of controversy surrounding Chestnut this week, as he stated that he was barred from the iconic contest due to his agreement with Impossible Foods. Major League Eating asserted that the agreement conflicted with the iconic contest.
Major League Eating expressed dissatisfaction with Joey Chestnut’s decision to represent a competing brand and hopes that he will return to the iconic contest.
The fight for control of the boundary between Kansas and Missouri continues.
This week, Kansas City’s leading official, Tyrone Garner, expressed his backing for a proposal to relocate the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to Kansas. The Chiefs are considering a move after a sales tax aimed at funding renovations to Arrowhead Stadium was unsuccessful. Kansas legislation permits the use of gambling tax revenue to entice teams. However, gambling taxes alone will be insufficient. Legislators are contemplating the issuance of bonds to finance new stadiums.
The Kansas Legislature will convene on June 18th to discuss tax reductions.
Bernie Kosar is initiating legal action concerning gambling and his dismissal.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is taking legal action against BIGPLAY Media. He alleges that company personnel pressured him to wager on the Browns defeating the Steelers. This wager resulted in the loss of his radio position with the Browns in 2023. NFL employees are prohibited from gambling on their own team.
Kosar is seeking $850,000, including $25,000 for legal representation.
The Cherokee Nation has received approval to construct a casino in Pope County.
On Wednesday, the Arkansas Racing Commission granted approval to a bid submitted by Cherokee Nation Entertainment for the construction of a casino in Pope County.
The proposition encompasses a lodging establishment with two hundred sleeping quarters and a gaming hall spanning fifty thousand square feet, showcasing twelve hundred slot machines and thirty-two table games. Moreover, there will be a cutting-edge sports wagering zone and a designated poker room. The regulatory body must grant the permit within thirty days.
Gulfside Casino Partners also presented a proposal. The panel declined to review it, citing the absence of a “letter of endorsement from a local governing entity, specifically the court of record or county judge” in the application. Due to this oversight, the panel classified the application as incomplete.
**Worth a Perusal**
CasinoReports’ Eric Raskin guides readers behind the scenes of a live dealer studio. A day in the life might not be precisely what you envision. Click here to access the complete narrative.
**Other Updates…**
Mega Millions participants will experience enhanced odds and larger jackpots in 2025, according to Lottery Geeks. Mega Millions previously declared it would increase the price to five dollars. Details of future developments were disclosed at a Montana Lottery Commission gathering on Wednesday (June 12).
Digital gaming enterprise Greentube announced its entry into Ontario through a collaboration with Caesars Entertainment. Patrons of Caesars Palace online casino and the company’s sports betting site will have access to games like Thunder Cash and Dolphin’s Pearl, along with other games designed for North America. Additionally, Greentube recently unveiled Silver Lux: Big Win Spinner.
Jefferys stock research firm published a monthly summary of land-based casino visitor numbers on Thursday, June 13th. Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.
Jefferys report revealed that regional market visitor numbers rose by 5.1% annually, but still trailed behind 2019 levels. Hard Rock will unveil its permanent location in Rockford, Illinois on August 29th, with a grand opening that will include a guitar smashing event. According to the Beloit Daily News, the venue will boast 1,300 slot machines, 50 table games, a poker room, and a sports betting zone.
Daily fantasy game provider PrizePicks declared a partnership with Kindbridge Behavioral Health Center to provide free problem gambling services to PrizePicks clients and frontline workers.
You might have missed this iGB news: Washington D.C. to have an open competitive market? FanDuel’s betting volume in Washington D.C. expanded by 450% in its inaugural month. Regulators are taking steps to suppress the black market. Senate districting could make it easier for Alabama legislators to accept gambling.