State of the Union: UNLV QB, G2E headliners and more

Jill R. Dorson September 29, 2024

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State of the Union: UNLV QB, G2E headliners and more

Welcome to iGB’s State of the Union, a look at the biggest North American sports betting stories we’ve covered over the week and briefs on others we found interesting.

Circa tries to remedy UNLV QB mess

A Circa vice-president reportedly offered to pay UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka $100,000 (£74,730/€89,550) that Sluka said he was promised by an assistant coach at the school. But by the time the offer came, Sluka had already redshirted. He said he was leaving the Rebels, who have started the season 3-0.

Per the Action Network, Circa Sports VP of Operations Mike Palm contacted the school midweek after having a conversation with Circa CEO and owner Derek Stevens. Palm told the outlet that he talked with Stevens “about assisting the school in keeping its starting quarterback”.

“I told Derek, ‘Why don’t we take a run at it?’” Palm told Action Network. “’The kid’s claiming he’s owed $100,000. Are you willing to make a call to UNLV to help out?’”

But Sluka and UNLV had already cut ties. A university spokesperson told Palm: “we won’t be doing business with the Sluka family again.”

Sluka claims he was promised $100,000 from an assistant coach under NIL. But UNLV head coach Barry Odom told Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie, that the offer didn’t come from him, so it wasn’t valid, per ESPN.

Hornbuckle, Jackson to headline G2E

G2E announced on Tuesday (24 September) that Flutter Entertainment CEO Peter Jackson and MGM Resorts president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle will be the Tuesday (8 October) keynote speakers at the annual conference. CNBC’s Contessa Brewer will lead a discussion about how “industry leaders are navigating the current economic landscape, expansion into new markets and verticals, and business challenges and opportunities ahead”. The talks are set for 9am local time at the Venetian Hotel Expo Center.

“Peter and Bill are two titans of the gaming industry whose perspectives will illuminate where the industry is headed and set the table for the ideas and innovations that will be explored throughout this year’s G2E,” American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller said via press release.

Mizuhara sentencing pushed to December

A federal court this week moved Ippei Mizuhara’s sentencing date from 25 October to 20 December. Mizuhara is the former Japanese-language interpreter to MLB star Shohei Ohtani. He racked up tens of millions in gambling debt with illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer. Mizuhara stole nearly $17m from Ohtani to bet with. In June he pleaded guilty to three federal counts and faces up to 33 years in prison.

Since Mizuhara’s guilty plea, Bowyer in August pleaded guilty to running a massive illegal betting ring that had 700 customers at its height. Bowyer admitted to using illegal offshore betting platforms in his business and to laundering money through multiple casinos. His sentencing is set for 7 February 2025.

ESPN Bet losing traction in Pennsylvania?

Earnings + More this week shared a graph that shows that ESPN Bet is struggling to hold on to market share in Pennsylvania. The platform, which launched late last year, peaked at 9.3% of the state’s handle in December and January and has been on a downward trajectory ever since.

In other news…

The Wyoming Gaming Commission, in partnership with Spectrum Gaming, has started work on a feasibility study to explore the future of gambling in the state. Initial results of the study are expected in early November.

Covers is reporting that black-market sportsbook Bodog is exiting Nova Scotia. The platform is no longer offering services and accounts will be closed on 3 October. Consumers are recommended to withdraw funds by 2 October.

The Gaming Innovation Group announced on Monday (23 September) that its name change to “Gentoo Media Inc” has been completed. The company’s Oslo Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm ticker symbols were changed later in the week.

The New York State Gaming Commission’s ‘Small Risk & Big Gamble’ responsible gambling campaign was honoured at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries’ (NASPL) 2024 Batchy awards. The campaign won three of four categories, the agency shared in a press release on 25 September.