Tag: World Series of Politics

The World Series of Politics welcomes its very first congresswoman, with Representative Dina Titus joining Brandt Iden and Brendan Bussmann.

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.

Dina Titus serves as US Representative for Nevada’s 1st congressional district

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.

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GRIT is not the solution

However the representative is an opponent of the Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment and Treatment Act (GRIT Act), which aims to reallocate that ta..

The industry was shocked when a new California sports betting ballot measure landed after last year’s bruising fight, but Pechanga.net's Victor Rocha tells the World Series of Politics that tribes are up for the next battle.

Rocha, one of the most eloquent and influential voices in the Indian Gaming Association and host of The New Normal, tells Brendan Bussmann and Robin Harrison how any California sports betting debate 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 feet.”

California sports betting: All roads lead to the tribes

Gaming tribes aren’t trying to be obstructionist, he explains, in fig..

Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden talk about the latest developments in US sports betting legislation, as well as more from Brazil, in episode 17 of the World Series of Politics.

We start by revisiting Brazil sports betting, the focus of our last episode, as the regulatory process undergoes yet more evolutions.

From a provisional measure to a bill in Brazil

Brazil sports betting looked set to pass through a provisional measure (PM) which Hugo Baumgartner outlined in episode 16.

However that PM is likely to be turned into a bill, which sets up even more legislative hurdles. Other forms of gambling such as integrated resorts may be incorporated into the process.

While this could expand the market, it could also result in the bill failing to pass. Brendan says “it’s clear as mud” as to what’s likely to happen now. There’s plenty more to discuss in a future episode of the World Series of Politics.

More pain for Missouri sports betting

Next we pivot to US sports betting, where Misso..

Former secretary of the environment and Texas’ longest-serving governor, Rick Perry, joins Brandt Iden and Brendan Bussmann on the World Series of Politics.

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.

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About Rick Perry:

Rick Perry is a former United States secretary of energy, serving under US president Donald Trump from March 2017 to December 2019.

Governor Perry is a strong advocate for legal sports betting in texas

As the fourteenth secretary of energy, Perry led an agency tasked with overseeing the United States’ energy supply, nuclear defense capacity, and the 17 national laboratories, home to many of the country’s best scientists.

Prior to joining the administration as secretary of energy, Perry served as the 47th governor of Texas. As gov..