Chips.gg Weekly Sports Betting Roundup (June 2 - June 08)
Time to tap into the global sports betting sphere (where tax moves, tech upgrades, and regulatory shakeups are rewriting the playbook) Let’s break it down with this week’s top stories.
Illinois Drops a Surprise Bet Tax Bomb (Again!)
For the second straight year, Illinois lawmakers have blindsided the industry by tacking on a brand-new tax for every single wager placed in the state. Approved just minutes before the legislative session ended, the $55.2 billion budget adds a $0.25 fee for the first 20,000 online bets, doubling to $0.50 per bet thereafter. Expected to rake in $36 million annually, this tax has drawn fire from the Sports Betting Alliance, which blasted it as “punitive” and likely to drive bettors toward unregulated offshore sportsbooks.
Opponents had no time to push back, and Governor Pritzker’s ready to ink the bill into law. Meanwhile, attempts to legalize online casinos fizzled again, even with massive revenue potential.
Finland’s Veikkaus Levels Up Before Market Opens
Veikkaus, Finland’s long-standing gambling monopoly, isn’t waiting for competition to roll in. The gaming titan just launched a sleek, OpenBet-powered sportsbook, a move designed to sharpen its edge ahead of the 2027 liberalization of Finland’s gambling market.
OpenBet’s modular platform supports over 300,000 live betting events annually with 24/7 expert trading services. With market-opening legislation expected by summer 2025, and operators eyeing the 2027 launch date, Veikkaus is going full throttle on modernization proving it's ready to fight for its share when the monopoly era ends.
Social Media, Props & College Athletes: A Brewing Storm
The dark side of prop betting is under scrutiny. In the U.S., especially within college sports, rising reports of athlete harassment tied to betting outcomes are forcing action. States like Ohio, Maryland, and Vermont are already banning college prop bets, while the NCAA threatens to revoke data licenses if sportsbooks don’t act.
Enter the American Gaming Association’s “Keep Your Cool” campaign, urging fans to bet responsibly and respect athletes. Some global regulators, like France’s ANJ, have gone even further, banning fringe bets like sock color or odd/even goals.
Hong Kong Tips Off Plans to Legalize Basketball Betting
Basketball betting could soon be legal in Hong Kong, thanks to overwhelming public support (94% approval in a recent survey). The government is proposing a regulated betting license which is likely awarded to the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will slap a 50% tax on net betting proceeds.
With a strong focus on responsible gambling, officials aim to reduce illegal activity, not boost tax income. The rollout includes plans for a youth-focused gambling support center, strict age limits, and a ban on bets involving local teams.
Stay sharp, stay social, and stay ahead!
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