Welcome to the Weekend Report, where iGB looks at the news that you may have missed across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week: Betfred confirms closure dates in Arizona and Virginia; Canada sports betting advertising bill framework advances and Sorare pleads not guilty over unlicensed gambling charges.
Betfred stepping back from sports betting in several states
First, Betfred has confirmed it is exiting two more US states by announcing closure dates for its sports betting services in both Arizona and Virginia.
Betfred will cease online operations in Virginia first, with a date of 21 October confirmed by the bookmaker. This will be followed by a shutdown in Arizona a couple of weeks later on 4 November. Customers in both states will have until 10pm local time in each state to access their account and make withdrawal requests.
This confirmation follows Betfred’s exit from several other US states during recent months. It ceased online and retail operations in Colorado on 31 August, while Ohio activities were also halted on the same day. Betfred is also no longer operating in Louisiana or Maryland.
The operator does, however, remain active in Iowa, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Washington either online or via retail sportsbooks.
Canada sports betting advertising bill framework advances
North of the border, a national framework on advertising for sports betting in Canada has made progress, with the senate committee on transport and communications passing the proposed law with no changes.
Bill S-269, which is now set for a third reading, aims to restrict sports betting advertising in the country. Proposed rules include limiting the use of celebrities and athletes and also the number of adverts that can be shown.
Other rules operators in Canada could face include restricting non-broadcast advertising and new standards regarding responsible gambling and preventing gambling harm.
Should the bill clear the senate, it will then be passed to the Canada house of commons for further debate and discussion.
Sorare set for summer 2025 court date after “not guilty” plea
Over in Europe, crypto fantasy sports site Sorare.com will appear in court next summer after pleading not guilty to charges of providing unlicensed gambling to consumers in Britain.
Sorare appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 4 October, charged with providing gambling facilities without a licence in the UK. The France-based firm entered formal not guilty pleas via its barrister.
The Standard reports that the company will now face trial next year at the same court. An exact date is yet to be confirmed.
Users of Sorare pay real money to trade digital player cards and can manage five-a-side football teams, as well as basketball and baseball teams. Players compete for cash prizes, merch and VIP experiences.
Evolution opens first Czech studio
Across the Channel on mainland Europe, Evolution has launched its first live casino studio in the Czech Republic. The new facility has opened within the Kajot Intacto land-based casino in Prague.
Evolution’s Prague studio will initially offer roulette and ‘Infinite Blackjack’ tables with native Czech-speaking dealers. Additional live casino tables including blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat will launch in the coming weeks.
The casino games, Evolution said, will complement its online slots portfolio that is already live in the Czech market.
“The Prague studio launch opens up huge opportunity for Czech operators, as does the regulator’s approval of our Infinite Blackjack and roulette,” Evolution’s CEO for Europe, Gionata La Torre, said.
“Offering these games with native Czech-speaking dealers will help create a more immersive and engaging experience for players, fostering a strong rapport between dealers and players, which is key to building trust and long-term customer loyalty.”
G2E confirms keynote speakers
And finally this week, more keynote speakers have been revealed for the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which begins today (7 October).
Jason Robins, co-founder and CEO of DraftKings, and Derek Stevens, owner and CEO of Circa Sports, will both present keynote sessions this coming Wednesday (9 October).
Organisers had already announced Flutter Entertainment CEO Peter Jackson and MGM Resorts president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle as keynote speakers for Tuesday (8 October).
This year’s G2E runs from 7-10 October at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.