Greetings and welcome to the Weekend Report, your go-to source for all the news you might have missed over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This week, we delve into an FBI arrest in DC involving Councilman Trayon White, as well as a controversial California bill that could have significant repercussions for the gambling industry.
According to a report by the City Paper, DC Councilman Trayon White was apprehended by the FBI on Sunday afternoon. White is set to face charges on Monday, although the exact nature of these charges has not yet been revealed. It is worth noting that White was not present during the 2019 vote that approved legal sports betting in DC and awarded lottery operator Intralot a sole-source contract. However, he did vote in favor of the FY2025 budget that paved the way for the opening of the market earlier this year.
Meanwhile, a bill that would grant California tribes the ability to directly sue cardrooms advanced last week. The assembly’s appropriations committee voted 14-0 to move the bill to the floor for a full vote. However, the fate of SB 549 remains uncertain with only two weeks left in the current session. The tribes have argued that cardrooms are encroaching on their exclusive gambling rights by employing player-dealer companies. The bill aims to provide tribes with legal recourse against cardrooms and third-party providers.
In response, California’s cardrooms insist that they are operating within the confines of the law. They warn that the passage of the bill could result in job losses and the closure of some cardrooms, which play a vital role in the tax revenue of many cities. The bill previously secured a resounding 37-0 victory in the senate during a third reading in May 2023.
On the celebrity front, rapper Drake faced another setback in his betting escapades, reportedly losing $450,000 on a UFC match over the weekend. Despite backing Israel Adesanya against Dricus du Plessis, Drake’s luck took a turn for the worse when du Plessis emerged victorious. This loss adds to Drake’s streak of unfortunate gambling incidents, dating back to his ill-fated wager on Serena Williams during the US Open in 2014.
Shifting our focus to Asia, authorities in Taipei arrested 31 individuals involved in an illegal online gambling ring in the Neihu District. Executives and staff from an IT company were apprehended during a raid, as confirmed by officials from the Criminal Investigation Bureau. Notably, a Chinese man and his Taiwanese spouse were at the helm of this operation, which was registered under the name Care Well Technology Co.
In other news, Martha Otton, chief of iGaming Ontario, announced her retirement effective December 31, 2024. Otton played a pivotal role in the launch of legal digital gambling in Ontario in 2022. Her extensive experience includes prior positions at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the provincial attorney-general’s office.
The world of gambling and entertainment continues to be rife with intrigue and controversy, with developments unfolding at a rapid pace. Stay tuned for more updates on all things casino-related.
