As PointsBet Turns
More back story on the DraftKings-Fanatics bidding for PointsBet. Plus Genius Sports' new deal and the NFL tries to address player gambling.
Happy Friday and welcome to your weekly roundup. There’s more on the DraftKings-Fanatics duel for PointsBet’s US assets; plus Genius Sports extends its data deal in Europe; and PrizePicks was sued in Georgia. Enjoy the wild and wacky NBA trade season. As always: if you liked reading this, please subscribe or share it with a friend. Have a great weekend!
Market Movers
More on DraftKing’s bid for PointsBet. DraftKings and Fanatics were working on a $48 billion merger deal back in 2021, but the deal fell apart—and the inevitable bad blood ensued, the NY Post reports. So DraftKings recently made a last-second offer for PointsBet’s US business, topping Fanatics’ bid and potentially throwing a wrench in Fanatics’ upcoming sports betting launch plans. Does DraftKings want:
A) To get PointsBet’s state licenses, e.g. NY since the state doesn’t plan to issue any more,
B) To get PointsBet’s well-regarded Banach Technology, which it acquired in 2021,
C) To slow down Fanatics’ entry into multiple markets,
D) To just force a higher Fanatics’ purchase price,
E) All of the above.
PointsBet shareholders are scheduled to vote on the Fanatics offer on June 30.
PrizePicks sued: Vetnos LCC has sued PrizePicks in Georgia, alleging that PrizePicks stole its technology.
Soccer data deal: Genius Sports extended is deal with Football DataCo, becoming the exclusive low latency data provider for EPL, EFL and SPFL. Genius had already installed AI-powered tracking in certain stadiums as part of its deal with EPL. SecondSpectrum provides teams with real-time data on the pitch.
NFL takes on gambling: The NFL is now requiring rookies to attend sessions on gambling to help them understand what is allowed and what is not. An investigation recently found that a Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers bet on Colts games.
Bally’s shuts down app in switch to Kambi: Bally’s is closing its Bally Bet app and stopped taking bets as it switches to the Kambi platform. Bally’s, which hasn’t gained much traction in the market, has said it expects to relaunch by the end of 2023.
What we’re reading
Qatar Investment Authority became the first sovereign wealth fund to invest directly in a major U.S. sports team.
1xBet founder has reportedly died but reports are apparently based on a Facebook post.
The NCAA betting investigation was triggered by unusual logins in Iowa.
How Rapsodo’s data platform helps Oklahoma softball—winner of three straight College World Series—thrive.
Nebraska’s first sportsbook opens this week.
Rhode Island became the seventh state to approve iGaming.
Betting Startups podcast talked to Geoff Doyle of Bettor Vision, a sports betting and fantasy sports aggregator.
Overheard
"It comes back to, in large part, a couple of rules that have existed as long as anybody can remember. Don't bet on the NFL. That's not new because sports gambling is more available. That's always been the case. And don't bet when you're at work, wherever work happens to be in that moment. That's existed for a long time." —Sabrina Perel, NFL VP and chief compliance officer, on the NFL’s efforts to address gambling by players.
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