In a move that is certain to chap the hindquarters of prudes like Sen. Orrin Hatch (R), the District of Columbia‘s ruling body has voted 11-2 to legitimize sports betting in our nation’s capitol. According to NBC, the legislation permits wagering “at the city’s stadiums and arenas, private businesses like restaurants and liquor stores, and within the city limits on a mobile app.” Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) is expected to sign the bill, which still needs a congressional OK. (The nerve of those Washingtonians, daring to think for themselves!) Congressional opponents will have a hard time arguing that what’s sauce for Pennsylvania isn’t sauce for the Beltway gander. Considering that D.C. also has a lottery, opponents would have a hard time arguing against sports betting, though argue they will.
Aforesaid lottery will be the sole disseminator of sports wagers in D.C., a development that even the American Gaming Association‘s Sara Slane opposes. She told NBC, “Predictably, this will result in less investment and innovation, to the detriment of consumers and the ability of a nascent legal marketplace to compete with the accessibility and convenience offered by many established illegal wagering operations.” Still, in an official AGA announcement, Slane accentuated the positive. “We’re pleased the bill adheres to a number of AGA’s priorities for successful sports betting legislation, including promoting responsible gaming, instituting a reasonable tax rate and excluding any ‘integrity fees’ or ‘exclusive data fees,’ which have been rightfully rejected in every other jurisdiction that has enacted sports betting legislation,” Slane said. Amen to that.
* If Steve Wynn decides to get back into gaming after his two-year non-compete agreement with Wynn Resorts expires, he’ll have to come up with a name for his company. Perhaps he should book some face time with Julia Carcamo, whose latest topic is ‘Naming Your Brand.’ “It has to sound good when it’s said aloud and should be easy to say and spell,” she writes (James Packer, take note). Wynn would certainly like Carcamo’s second bullet point: “Call a lawyer.” She concludes, “The right name can often make the difference in propelling you to success. It’s important to spend the appropriate amount of time to assure you can use it and that no one else is using it without your consent.” Are you listening, Steve?
* Casino-free San Francisco is WalletHub‘s best city for keeping your New Year’s resolution. Gulfport, Mississippi, is the worst. Surprisingly, Las Vegas showed up neither in the top 10 nor (likelier) the bottom. Smoking, eating and drinking will get you on the ‘naughty’ list and Sin City has no shortage of those.
