In his new guise as president of Safer Gambling Strategies, Whyte joins Brandt Iden and Brendan Bussmann to discuss the potential for global harmonisation of responsible gambling standards to tech’s role in minimising gambling harms. 

There’s also discussion of the National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences (NGAGE), produced by the National Council on Problem Gambling, an authority Whyte led for 27 years. That actually shows problem gambling rates dipping to pre-pandemic levels. 

There’s also some myth busting about the illegal market, debate on state versus federal approaches, and a call for transparency, all in the latest World Series of Politics!

The ‘big, bad, beautiful, bullshit bill’

The Fair Bet Act is Congresswoman Titus’ fiery response to a sneaky Senate move that cuts the tax deduction on gambling losses to 90%. Titus pulls no punches as she calls out the “big, bad, beautiful, bullshit bill” for cutting the longstanding 100% deduction on gambling losses, effectively taxing players on phantom winnings. 

And bipartisan momentum is building, including backing from gaming giants, tribes and the American Gaming Association (AGA), for Titus’ bill to reverse the provision before it hits taxpayers in 2026. 

The Congresswoman’s message is clear: This goes beyond protecting the industry, and it’s vital for players, communities and the future of regulated gambling in the United States. 

Former chair of the Republican National Convention, chair of the Presidential Debates Commission, Caesars board member and the first president of the American Gaming Association, Frank is an iconic figure in the industry. 

You’ll hear his reflections on establishing the industry’s first association and coordinating player protection efforts, discussions about igaming with Sheldon Adelson, dealings with Tony Blair, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, as well as his thoughts on the current AGA administration. Everything about the industry today, from the man who played a key role in buildings its foundations. 

Does the Illinois sports betting tax grab essentially say the state is not a supporter of technological innovation? That’s Brandt’s take, and he warns it goes beyond gaming to target other technology innovators. How is that a sustainable strategy in the long-term?

To Brendan, the sports betting tax grab is just further evidence of Illinois as a problem state for the gaming industry, especially in the wake of the Chicago casino project. “Illinois is just not a friendly space to go do business, plain and simple,” he says. 

JK to his friends, Kinchen is an experienced handicapper and pundit featured on Fox Sports so there’s no one better to set out the current runners and riders in the race betting game. 

He tells our dynamic duo about how racing missed the first wave of US gaming expansion, but explains how it could make a comeback. Kinchen unpacks parimutuel wagering and the case for fixed-odds betting on horse racing, as well as explaining how the sport can attract a new generation of fans and bettors.

You’ll also hear how JK sees sports betting partnerships with racetracks working, and what international horse racing markets such as Hong Kong and Dubai do better than any other market, and ultimately why a day at the races is a live experience on a par with events like the Super Bowl. 

We’ve also got some tips on Preakness, but with a shifting field, things may have changed..

Fresh from her move to Greenberg Traurig, Ali joins our dynamic duo to talk about Indiana igaming. However it’s not coming in the current session, after a bill sailed through the public policy committee, but failed to get a hearing in ways and means. 

Are sweepstakes blocking Indiana igaming regulation?

What is frustrating, she says, is igaming legislation in Indiana stalled while products such as sweepstakes proliferate. And lawmakers aren’t making a distinction between the two, so Ali is battling concerns about advertising and a lack of consumer protection in this grey market. 

Ultimately, she says, it’s a matter of consumer protection, and it’s going to be a question of when, not if, Hoosiers can spin the reels online.

After a whistlestop tour of Illinois, where igaming legislation is in play, and another attempt at sports betting in Hawaii is on the move through the legislature, Andria tells hosts Brandt Iden and Brendan Bussmann about how cryptocurrency can become a fundamental part of the gambling ecosystem. 

Is crypto the future of gaming transactions? How can regulators keep up? And could the US finally embrace digital currency in mainstream markets? Andria breaks it all down for the dynamic duo. 

You want sports betting bills? You want some icasino bills? We’ve got them and more, and there’s even an opportunity to stop over in New York for a look at the (down)state of the casino process and touch on tax hikes in Ohio (again) in the latest episode of the World Series of Politics. 

Since 1 January, Brazil sports betting and gaming has officially launched following a lengthy legislative process, and Hugo has been involved at every step of the way.

With Aposta Ganha now offering legal sports betting in Brazil, he talks our dynamic duo through the challenges of complying with the various KYC hurdles, and the last minute rush to secure certification before sports betting and online gaming launched in the market. 

After years of unregulated activity, they also discuss efforts by the government to stamp out illegal gambling, and leveraging the popularity of local payment solution Pix to effectively curb unlicensed operations. 

And is the launch of sports betting and igaming the last major development for gambling in Brazil? With plans to legalise land-based casinos, bingo halls and even jogo de bicho, the market could soon become much more competitive. 

It’s a particularly special edition as the show makes its debut in Barcelona, the culminations of months of hard work behind the scenes to make the industry’s best show bigger and better than ever. 

There’s tailored show floor zones, there is a wave of new product launches, and even some pretty iconic sportspeople roaming the show floor. Then in the recently rebranded World Gaming Forum, speakers will set the tone for the year ahead, with leading CEOs, lawmakers, politicians and even ex-presidents taking the stage. Johnny Five is even making an appearance. 

It's always a big show, but this year is going to be even bigger and better than ever before. If you haven't sorted your travel, the clock is ticking. Register here to make sure you don't miss it. It's going to be an 'I was there' moment in years to come.

Everyone is so excited we forgot to acknowledge that this is our fortieth episode of the podcast - what started out as a fun little side project among friends has shown remarkable staying power. Brendan’s even joined the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes to mark the occasion.

It’s a packed final show, kicking off with the big win of 2024. Yes, Washington, D.C. finally has a competitive sports betting market, and revenue is around 15x higher than it was under the previous single-operator model. 

Anything but a SAFE Bet

However last week’s congressional hearing on sports betting was arguably one of the low points of the year. Before it became truly surreal - apparently Amazon now sells spines, who knew? - it was beset by witnesses peddling outdated misconceptions to prop up their anti-prop bet argument.

Heavens alive, it’s (almost) 2025

And next we move onto predictions, where Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden pit their wits against one another with a friendly bet on what happens in the 2025 legislative session. 

It’s everyone’s favourite spectacle and throughout the World Series of Politics’ run ultimately translates to Brendan Bussmann buying Brandt Iden a case of Paul Hobbs pinot. 

Could this finally be Brendan’s year?

The top of the ticket is also up for discussion. The Presidency, Senate and most likely the House are all under Republican control. Does that mean the federal regulation bill filed by Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Paul Tonko is dead in the water? Find out in another episode of the World Series of Politics!

We're back from G2E, Brandt is out of his pink suit, and we're getting down to the gritty business of polling, with Harrison Hickman of Hickman Analytics. While the top of the ticket is obviously dominating headlines, for the industry there's a lot more at stake, especially in the state of misery - sorry, Missouri - where Amendment 2 is on a knife edge.

Seasoned Democratic strategist Hickman believes it's less about changing minds, and more about zeroing in on the undecideds. Those voters will generally skew to a 'no' vote, he warns.

However in Virginia, he's much more bullish on the prospects for a casino in Pittsburg. The make up of the population and the attitudes towards gaming would make that much more of a slam dunk if the question on the ballot was a simple yes/no answer.

And then there's the elephant in the room, the ballot at the top of the ticket. If the Harris-Walz ticket prevails, that removes Tim Walz as Minnesota's governor; does that change prospects for gaming advancement in the state? Listen on for Hickman's assessment.

If that's not enough we've also got Missouri sports betting confirming its place on the ballot and some rumblings about Arkansas igaming. Arkansas sports betting - limited to one casino and two racinos - hasn't quite hit the numbers so will replicating that model work for online casino?

Last week Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft confirmed voters would have the final say on Missouri sports betting, potentially breaking an impasse that has seen legalisation efforts run into a brick wall in the statehouse. 

We're just a day out from Independence Day in the US, and the UK is preparing for its own changing of the ruling classes, Dan explains on this week's episode.

Of course, we start with the ongoing election betting scandal, the highlight - or lowlight - of a short but still chaotic campaign. But as Dan points out, it's not entirely clear whether anyone has done anything wrong. And should the investigations have been leaked? 

And with signs pointing to a potential Tory wipeout on 4 July, Dan talks Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden through what could come under a Labour government. 

It's less the political parties to watch out for, and more organs of state that seem determined to treat gambling as a public health issue he warns. 

As if we'd forget about DC!

And Brandt is fresh off his victory in DC, where he played a key part in shepherding legislation that finally forms a competitive market in the US capital. 

After years of a single-operator model hindering growth, there's now room for all major brands to play DC, and already huge interest. Just as it looked as if 2024 would finish without a significant win for the industry, it finally has a new state on the board. 

It's a big win - in more ways than one as Brandt triumphantly tells Brendan. The World Series of Politics loves a wager over a bottle of Pinot? Mr Bussmann has to pay up again...

Hugo joins Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden to discuss whether the government is set to finally hit its deadlines with the last dash towards the 1 January 2025 start date. And there's more! With a bill to legalise casinos, bingo, jogo de bicho and more, there could be an exciting new land-based market on the way...

Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden wade through misery in Minnesota, dealings in D.C. and Delaware, before taking on some ill-conceived Illinois revenue raids.

Mickey Ferri and Laura O’Laughlin join Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden to discuss the recent study showing online casino actually expands the market, rather than eating away at the land-based share. 

Whether it's Georgia going to the voters or Minnesota taking its sweet time, we've got all the latest happenings in US regulation ready to review.

As Representative for Nevada’s 1st congressional district and co-chair of the Congressional Gaming Caucus, she is a crucial industry advocate at federal level. 

Tackling the excise tax

Representative Titus is also leading the charge to repeal the 0.25% federal excise tax on sports betting handle. 

The money is deposited into the General Fund, rather than being used to tackle illegal gambling. Why not cut the tax and allow legal businesses to better compete against offshore operators by offering a more attractive product, she asks. 

It’s the last ICE in London, but while the show is headed to Barcelona in 2025, Hunter tells Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden he is keen to make sure this doesn’t detract from this year’s event.

It’s a case of maintaining the momentum from the 2023 edition he explains. That was the biggest on record but ICE 2024 is on track to emulate last year’s show in terms of attendees, exhibitors and deals struck. 

Happy new year listeners! Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden are back to discuss a Festivus miracle in Brazil, as well as setting out their predictions for US sports betting growth, and whether 2024 will finally be the breakthrough year for US igaming.

Rocha, one of the most eloquent and influential voices in the Indian Gaming Association, tells Brendan Bussmann and Robin Harrison how any 2024 battle will shake out. 

‘Smoke and mirrors’

“It’s insulting,” Rocha says of the new ballot measure, arguing it looks to drive a wedge between Californian gaming and non-gaming tribes. A set of amendments doesn’t make it any more palatable - “It’s all smoke and mirrors.”

“These guys are not listening, because they don’t care. They want to go forward and they are shocked they don’t see Indians running towards them throwing flowers at their fleet.”

Everyone has their voice back to talk igaming, taxes and Florida. 

2024: The year of US igaming?

One of the biggest topics on the show floor was igaming, which made its presence felt at G2E 2023. 

There’s a desire to keep building momentum around US igaming in 2024, but Brendan admits it’s not an easy topic in the legislature. At this point he thinks it’s a matter of when, not if, legalisation passes. 

Florida sports betting saga takes a turn

Next we move onto Florida, where a Supreme Court stay halted mobile blocked the relaunch of mobile betting. Obviously events have moved quickly and that’s now been lifted with the Supreme Court not taking up the case. 

That doesn’t mean it’s a victory for Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe. The case is still in play in the state Supreme Court, so there’s still a risk things grind to a halt and force a total rethink. 

Listen on for the latest on everything you could possibly want to find out about regulatory affairs in the World Series of Politics!

Multiple attempts to legalise sports betting in the Show-Me state have fallen flat over the years. Two of the most recent attempts involved Senate Bill 30 and House Bill 556, which progressed somewhat before being struck down or fizzling out.

But change could be on the horizon. The St. Louis Cardinals is part of a coalition of professional sports teams in Missouri that filed new petitions last month to bring sports betting to Missouri.

But before heading over to LatAm, our hosts discuss the progress made in Florida since episode 20 was released. In the weeks since, West Flagler filed an en banc rehearing. Instead of dismissing this petition, the court has asked the Seminoles for a response - which is due on 31 August.

Looking at Brazil, the country regulated sports betting in July after president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the Provisional Measure. This officially implemented the sports betting regulations that had been approved in Law No 13,756 in 2018.

But the regulations included a few “surprises”, says Montgomery, including heightened GGR tax, more marketing restrictions and an increased licence fee.

Florida’s sports betting market came to an abrupt halt just weeks after launch when a legal challenge blocked the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s updated compact with the state. 

After two years of legal action the DC Circuit Court reversed the decision, paving the way for the Seminoles and Hard Rock Digital to relaunch.

With a challenge likely, we've got two brilliant legal minds, Professor Bob Jarvis of Nova Southeastern University, and Jeff Ifrah of Ifrah Law, to outline what comes next. 

Paul shares his thoughts on the early stages of Ontario’s regulated market, pointing out a strong channelisation rate suggests the Canadian province is making a successful leap from a grey to white market. 

This, he explains, has levelled the field where it comes to advertising. That hasn’t prevented the nasayers from massing, however. One of the opposition parties in the Ontario Parliament has put forward a bill to ban gambling advertising - even though gaming only accounts for 3% of total ads shown in the country.

Looking forward, Burns looks to the future of the Canadian gaming, examining the potential of sports betting and igaming in Ontario and beyond. With a foundation of responsible gaming standards and a commitment to player protection, there’s a strong case for other Canadian provinces to consider a regulatory rethink.

The former chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Betting and Gaming dissects the white paper, its implications for the industry, and for the punters.

We start by revisiting Brazil, the focus of our last episode, as the regulatory process undergoes yet more evolutions. There's also disappointments in Missouri and Minnesota sports betting to cover, as well as some hopeful news from Texas and North Carolina.

“It’s the giant,” he says. “Everyone is talking about it. Everybody wants to come to Brazil.”

He notes that law has been in place to allow sports betting in Brazil since 2018, but that there has been no regulation yet, and nothing was made official by then-president Jair Bolsonaro.

But this regulation is imminent, Hugo insists, with ministers working for Brazil’s newest president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva preparing a law that could be signed in the coming days.

As Brendan Bussmann says, gaming tends to be the last issue for lawmakers to consider in the session, and this year is no different. Earlier in the session Kentucky looked like a ‘sleeper state’, Brandt Iden says, making it a great win for the session. 

House Bill 551’s passage was “a classic case of bipartisanship”, he adds, with the governor, Republicans and Democrats coming together to make it happen. 

There’s been a wave of criticism of the industry, and that has arguably ended any hopes of igaming expansion for this year, but even sports betting is coming up short so far. Massachusetts may have launched mobile, and Kansas is live, but where might the industry expand next?

Hope for sports betting regulation

As Brandt says, sports betting legislation always makes it through at the end of the session. There’s still hope for progress in multiple states. 

There’s plenty of potential still out there, perhaps most notably with Texas where last week’s guest Governor Rick Perry is a strong supporter of a constitutional amendment to allow mobile betting. 

Prospects in the Peach State

Georgia, however remains in play thanks to the Lieutenant Governor who Brandt feels is making sports betting regulation a priority. 

Kentucky, Brendan adds, is a “no brainer”, though with a 30-day session only held in odd-numbered years, it’s going to be tight. Though it’s the closest it has come in recent memory. 

There’s also states such as Missouri and North Carolina, where Brandt remains confident, though Brendan fears it’s going to be Groundhog Day, again. 

Governor Perry believes legislation from Senator Lois Kolkhorst and Representative Jeff Leach, that paves the way for a public vote on sports betting regulation, is the best way to bring legal wagering to the Lone Star State.

The bills already have the backing of the major Texas franchises; all its professional sports teams are behind the Texas Sports Betting Alliance - for which Governor Perry serves as spokesman - a level of unity not seen before.

“There’s never been this coming together, to work on one issue [before],” the Governor explains.

This, he says, means he’s confident that if Senator Kolkhorst’s Senate Bill 715 and its House counterpart, Leach’s HB1942 lead to a vote on the issue, it will pass “overwhelmingly”. 

The dynamic duo kick off with Missouri, where multiple attempts to regulate betting have been made over the past five years.

Senator Denny Hoskins has long been a champion of the industry, but could 2023 be the year Missouri sports betting finally crosses line? Once again there's a bottle of wine on the time, as to whether it beats North Carolina in regulating.

There's also renewed hopes in Georgia, though it's looking likely to go to a ballot, Brendan says. After its missteps in Florida and California, the industry will have to learn from each of those failures if it is to enjoy a successful campaign.

However Brandt argues sports betting is a new lottery product, something that would avoid a public vote on the matter. The guys are split on whether a bill makes it through by the end of March; Brandt is confident, but Brendan is more circumspect.

New York may soon expand the ranks of regulated igaming states, with Senator Joseph Addabbo filing a proposal to legalise icasino. A 30.5% tax rate is tough, Brandt says, though would allow up to 20 licences.

New York differs from others states in that the prospect of new revenue, rather than consumer protections, are front of mind. That could mean it's not set up correctly, Brendan warns however.

Episode 12 ends by looking at moves at a federal level, with the government seeking to bring in the FCC to monitor industry advertising. But is this sort of intervention justified?

The geolocation specialist’s senior vice president of compliance says the Buckeye State’s launch was one of the biggest marketing openings in the US for quite some time. It has seen over 1.2 million accounts set up in the first week, equating to some 45 million transactions to date. 

Ohio flies out the blocks

As Brendan points out, considering the high level of competition from neighbouring states such as Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania, such numbers are particularly impressive. 

There’s also a wider market than ever before, with 1,000 betting kiosks rolled out across Ohio, and it’s going to be interesting to see how this works in tandem with a widespread mobile offering. Lawmakers will be watching with interest. 

Sports betting has taken up much of legislators’ attention, but its tax contribution is dwarfed by igaming tax revenue. Glaser goes as far as calling igaming the most successful product in the history of gambling in the US, even in its infancy.

Brendan and Brandt then dust off their crystal ball for some 2023 predictions. Aside from further igaming and sports betting expansion, there’s also brick-and-mortar to consider. Brendan is sure at least two states will look to break ground on casino development in the coming year. 

While Las Vegas is booming, Macau has effectively been cut off from the world for the past three years. With the concession renewal process now complete, how can it recover?

Back in the US, the importance of regulation has been highlighted by the American Gaming Association's report, which revealed $510.9bn is being wagered offshore every year. But its publication has coincided with a flurry of negative publicity in the US media.

Considering the tax burden on the industry, and the economic benefits it creates, is this in any way justified?

Our dynamic duo start off by picking over the wreckage of California's sports betting ballot measures, reflecting on what went so disastrously wrong.

Next they run the rule on the other states where the Midterms have heralded change. Brandt admits he was surprised by the Democrats' clean sweep in Minnesota, pointing out that the party's strong relationships with the tribes could pave the way for regulatory progress in 2023.

Texas is also looking increasingly ripe for change, Brendan points out, with growing momentum towards some sort of legal gambling. What that is, however, remains unclear - as Brandt says, all eyes - and industry efforts - are likely to be focused on the Lone Star State next year.

And with Maryland launching mobile sports betting last week, there's a bet on the line - who wins?

The pair look further afield as well, pondering the impact of Lula da Silva defeating Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil's presidential election, while in the UK, Brandt throws his name into the ring as a prime ministerial candidate, but Brendan has other ideas.

American Gaming Association and G2E

Miller joins Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden to look back on this year's Global Gaming Expo.

Miller discusses this year's G2E After almost 25,000 descended on the Sands Convention Centre earlier in October. He also talks about US gaming industry's post-Covid recovery, and the threat of the illegal market.

Maryland sports betting

This episode also features Maryland, where lawmakers have taken a step towards launching mobile sports betting after a heavily fraught process. There's a wager on the line between our hosts on this one, just to up the stakes further.

Brendan also discusses the state of play for Macau casinos, where recovery his hindered by China's zero Covid policy.

There there's even more intrigue around Brazil sports betting with the presidential run-off closing in.

This is likely to impact gambling across multiple channels. Not only sports betting may be on the line, but a reshuffling of the country's lottery sector and even integrated resorts are being held back.

Indiana igaming is also up for discussion in this week's episode, as US states look for new ways of finding revenue. Could this lead to a wave of igaming legislation in the remainder of 2022 and into early 2023, especially after commentators were disappointed by a lack of action in 2021?

It's a question of tax, Brendan says. If they set the rate too high, states risk stifling the market before it can get going.

Finally we head further north, to Ontario, where plans are afoot to push offshore operators out of the market. But with a lack of detail on what is actually at risk if they fail to comply, is this going to be an effective deterrent?

Also up for discussion is sports betting activity around National Football League kickoff, and some debate around when in-stadium books can be open. The episode goes further afield to scrutinize Brazil's presidential election, and that this means for the industry.

Also up for discussion is Massachusetts, after lawmakers beat the buzzer with a consensus on legal sports betting.