WestGate announces changes to SuperContest; Brexit sets non-sports event betting record

Twice weekly, we’ll comb through as many articles, tweets and podcasts as we can find related to the world of sports betting and daily fantasy sports, and publish the good stuff here.

Stumble upon something you think we should include? Email info@bettingtalk.com.

* * *

The WestGate Las Vegas SuperBook announced some changes for its annual SuperContest (which has been called the most prestigious NFL-handicapping tournament).

The SuperContest grew from 745 entries in 2012 to 1,403 in 2014 to 1,727 last year. With a $1,500 entry fee, the prize pool hit a record $2.59 million, and all of it was paid back to the contestants. Now, the Westgate is taking a small cut to pay the bills.

“I know it’s not something that’s looked upon in a positive way, but we just can’t have a loss leader,” Kornegay said. “We’re not looking to make it profitable, but we’re trying to cover our expenses. We thought this number is fair.”

More than two-thirds of the money – £108 million – went to Remain betting in a “relentless” display of confidence that UK voters would opt to stay inside the European Union – but mostly by people working in financial services.

The majority of votes on the Leave side were placed by small-time punters, who averaged £70 each, though a flurry of £5 and £10 bets as polls closed at 10pm on Thursday evening saw the 6/1 odds on Leave tumble sharply.

According to experts, daily fantasy sports are struggling to take off since launching in Great Britain.

“They have had virtually no traction whatsoever,” said David Copeland, CEO at SuperLobby.com, a United Kingdom-based website that tracks betting activity on DraftKings and other daily fantasy sports sites. “The casual U.K. bettor has probably never heard of DraftKings.”

But Jeffrey Haas, DraftKings’ London-based chief international officer, challenged that assessment shared by other analysts.

“We’re getting a very favorable response,” he told The Associated Press, though he declined to provide data or documents to support the claim. “I can’t quantify that specifically, but from a trend perspective, it’s going in the right direction for us.”

According to experts, daily fantasy sports are struggling to take off since launching in Great Britain.

“They have had virtually no traction whatsoever,” said David Copeland, CEO at SuperLobby.com, a United Kingdom-based website that tracks betting activity on DraftKings and other daily fantasy sports sites. “The casual U.K. bettor has probably never heard of DraftKings.”

But Jeffrey Haas, DraftKings’ London-based chief international officer, challenged that assessment shared by other analysts.

“We’re getting a very favorable response,” he told The Associated Press, though he declined to provide data or documents to support the claim. “I can’t quantify that specifically, but from a trend perspective, it’s going in the right direction for us.”

“It’s a complete betrayal of Canadians,” Windsor West MP Brian Masse said. “They had pushed against single-event sports betting in Canada. Much of the leverage they used was that they would not advance Canadian franchises [if single-event sports betting was legal].”

Earlier this week, the league approved an expansion franchise in Sin City while it deferred a bid by a group from Quebec City. That group had been pursuing an NHL franchise to replace the Nordiques.

“The NHL has now turned their backs, thumbed their nose and stuck out a finger at legislators here in Canada, because they’re doing this in Vegas and perpetuating their own profits at the expense of Canadian hockey,” Masse said.

The New York bill that would legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports in the state has yet to be delivered to Governor Andrew Cuomo. The bill can’t become law until the governor signs it.

“The governor calls for bills. We don’t just send them to him in a lump,” Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee Chairman Gary Pretlow, D-Westchester County, who helped to craft the bill, told the Daily News. “And he hasn’t obviously called for it yet.”

More than a week after the landmark DFS bill cleared the Senate and Assembly in Albany, it has not been delivered to Cuomo. When it does arrive, Cuomo will have 10 days to sign or veto it before it becomes law and DFS players can resume participating in the contests.

Despite the delay, Pretlow and other lawmakers are confident Cuomo will support it.

“I’m pretty sure the governor is going to sign it,” Pretlow said. “Something would have leaked out by now that if he wasn’t.”