Ryan Butler

Ryan Butler

Creator
0 followers

Betting industry editor; regulation, sponsorship, and media‑betting integrations.

Trump‑appointed Judges Show Skepticism at Prediction Market Hearing
SocialApr 16, 2026

Trump‑appointed Judges Show Skepticism at Prediction Market Hearing

All three judges in today's prediction market hearing are Trump appointees. All have seemed heavily skeptical of the PMs' legal arguments today.

By Ryan Butler
Judges Question Kalshi's Roulette Betting; CFTC Likely Blocks It
SocialApr 16, 2026

Judges Question Kalshi's Roulette Betting; CFTC Likely Blocks It

Federal judges push Kalshi lawyers on what would stop them from offering event contracts on the outcome of a roulette wheel; Kalshi says the CFTC likely wouldn't allow it, without giving an explanation why

By Ryan Butler
Judge Questions Financial Impact of Yankees‑Red Sox Game
SocialApr 16, 2026

Judge Questions Financial Impact of Yankees‑Red Sox Game

"Would the Yankees beating the Red Sox have a potential financial consequence?" asks a judge in today's Kalshi hearing; Kalshi lawyers argue that the outcome of every game impacts team valuations, and that Kalshi users are hedging sports-related outcome financial...

By Ryan Butler
CFTC Shift Could Undermine Prediction Markets' Legal Standing
SocialApr 16, 2026

CFTC Shift Could Undermine Prediction Markets' Legal Standing

Much of the prediction markets' legal case is based on the idea they have authority, in part, because of the CFTC. The problem with any reliance on the CFTC is that in the next two to three years, the makeup...

By Ryan Butler
Judge Rejects Crypto.com Claim, Boosts Nevada Regulators
SocialApr 16, 2026

Judge Rejects Crypto.com Claim, Boosts Nevada Regulators

Good news so far for Nevada regulators: early in today's Prediction Market hearing, federal Judge Ryan Nelson has aggressively pushed back against Crypto dot com's legal claims that sports event contracts are not sports bets

By Ryan Butler
Sportsbook Odds and Prediction Markets Look Identical
SocialApr 16, 2026

Sportsbook Odds and Prediction Markets Look Identical

The most convincing argument in a human, "I-know-it-when-I-see-it" sense would be to put the side-by-side screenshots of a major online sportsbook and a prediction market sports event contract. With the US betting odds display, a "reasonable" person can't tell the...

By Ryan Butler
CFTC Hearing Flags Partisan Future for Prediction Markets
SocialApr 16, 2026

CFTC Hearing Flags Partisan Future for Prediction Markets

Congressional hearings are to score political points, not make meaningful progress. That said, today's CFTC hearing has reaffirmed that prediction markets are a partisan issue; If/when Democrats take Congress/White House, PMs' regulatory environment will be far less favorable

By Ryan Butler
CFTC Chair Remains Vague on Rejected Prediction
SocialApr 16, 2026

CFTC Chair Remains Vague on Rejected Prediction

During a Congressional hearing today, CFTC Chair Michael Selig does not specify if the organization has rejected any prediction market event contracts proposed by operators

By Ryan Butler
DraftKings to Debut iCasino, Sportsbook in Alberta July 13
SocialApr 16, 2026

DraftKings to Debut iCasino, Sportsbook in Alberta July 13

As expected, DraftKings plans to launch it's iCasino and sportsbook in Alberta July 13, the company announced today

By Ryan Butler
Tennessee House Poised to Approve Sweeping Casino Ban
SocialApr 15, 2026

Tennessee House Poised to Approve Sweeping Casino Ban

The Tennessee House is scheduled to vote on a sweeps casino ban bill Thursday; if passed, bill would still need to pass full Senate, but has so far received negligible opposition

By Ryan Butler
DC to Hear Uncapped iCasino Bill, One of Few States
SocialApr 15, 2026

DC to Hear Uncapped iCasino Bill, One of Few States

DC lawmakers will discuss an iCasino legalization bill, which would allow an uncapped number of operators, during a hearing on May 4; the District is one of the few US jurisdictions still considering iGaming legalization this year

By Ryan Butler
Only a Fraction of 73M Eligible Men Bet Regularly
SocialApr 15, 2026

Only a Fraction of 73M Eligible Men Bet Regularly

1) With few exceptions, people 18-20 can't have sportsbook accounts with the brands mentioned 2) There are roughly 73m US men age 18-49, yet only about 10m monthly active legal sportsbook users. While half this demo may have signed up, a...

By Ryan Butler
Major Sportsbooks Back Minnesota Betting Bill, Unlike Wisconsin
SocialApr 14, 2026

Major Sportsbooks Back Minnesota Betting Bill, Unlike Wisconsin

FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics and bet365 reaffirm support for Minnesota online sports betting bill during informational session in a legislative committee today; Wisconsin recently passed a mobile sports betting that was not supported by the major books

By Ryan Butler
Minnesota Faces 3,800 Illegal Gambling Sites, Officials Warn
SocialApr 14, 2026

Minnesota Faces 3,800 Illegal Gambling Sites, Officials Warn

There are roughly 3,800 illegal gambling websites available to Minnesota residents, state Department of Public Safety officials estimated in a legislative hearing today

By Ryan Butler
Minnesota Lawmakers Discuss Mobile Sports Betting Legalization
SocialApr 14, 2026

Minnesota Lawmakers Discuss Mobile Sports Betting Legalization

Minnesota lawmakers Tuesday will discuss, but not vote, on a mobile sports betting legalization bill; though no action will be taken today, a conversation in committee is a positive sign in what has been a long (long) journey to bringing...

By Ryan Butler
BetMGM CEO Backs Kentucky’s 21+ Betting Age
SocialApr 14, 2026

BetMGM CEO Backs Kentucky’s 21+ Betting Age

FWIW, BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt supports Kentucky raising its minimum sports betting age to 21

By Ryan Butler
Virginia Poised for 2027 iGaming Despite Legislative Deadlock
SocialApr 14, 2026

Virginia Poised for 2027 iGaming Despite Legislative Deadlock

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt noted Virginia as a leading iGaming legalization candidate in 2027; both the state House and Senate passed iGaming bill this year, but the full legislature did not agree to differences between the two versions

By Ryan Butler
BetMGM Lowers FY2026 Outlook, Targets Lower EBITDA Range
SocialApr 14, 2026

BetMGM Lowers FY2026 Outlook, Targets Lower EBITDA Range

BetMGM revises FY 2026 guidance down, per Q1 release: "We continue to expect FY 2026 Adjusted EBITDA between $300-$350 million, albeit towards lower end of the range, while Net Revenue now expected to be between $2.9-$3.1 billion"

By Ryan Butler
BetMGM Q1 Revenue Rises 6% with Strong iGaming Growth
SocialApr 14, 2026

BetMGM Q1 Revenue Rises 6% with Strong iGaming Growth

BetMGM Q1 notable figures: - Net Revenue of $696 million, +6% YoY - iGaming Net Revenue +9% YoY - Online Sports Net Revenue +4% YoY - Adjusted EBITDA of $25 million, +11% YoY

By Ryan Butler
States Target Sweeps, Sportsbooks, and Prediction Markets
SocialApr 13, 2026

States Target Sweeps, Sportsbooks, and Prediction Markets

There are 3 major categories of gaming bills still being discussed in statehouses this legislative season (a non-exhaustive list): - Sweeps bans: MD, MN, OK, TN - Sportsbook restrictions: CO, CT, MA (plus long-shot bills in NJ, NY, OH) - Prediction Market bans:...

By Ryan Butler
Vermont Lawmakers to Debate Prediction Market Ban
SocialApr 13, 2026

Vermont Lawmakers to Debate Prediction Market Ban

Vermont lawmakers Tuesday are scheduled to discuss a bill to prohibit prediction markets in the state; Vermont is one of a half-dozen states with active prediction market ban bills still under consideration this year

By Ryan Butler
Illinois Bill Bans Casino Credit‑card Cash Advances, Gains Bipartisan Support
SocialApr 13, 2026

Illinois Bill Bans Casino Credit‑card Cash Advances, Gains Bipartisan Support

An Illinois bill that would prohibit ATMs located within state casinos from offering cash advances on credit cards and bans customers from using credit cards to participate in a gambling game is now up to 18 bipartisan co-sponsors; the bill...

By Ryan Butler
Minnesota Prediction Market Ban Advances, Faces Legal Hurdles
SocialApr 10, 2026

Minnesota Prediction Market Ban Advances, Faces Legal Hurdles

A Minnesota prediction market ban bill continues forward in the state Senate after a Rules Committee vote; the bill's sponsor acknowledged during Friday's hearing the bill likely faces legal challenges if passed

By Ryan Butler
Minnesota Senate Pushes Online Sweeps Ban to Finance Committee
SocialApr 10, 2026

Minnesota Senate Pushes Online Sweeps Ban to Finance Committee

Minnesota Senate lawmakers advance an online sweeps ban bill out of committee for the second time in as many days; bill now goes to the powerful Finance Commitee, where from there it could be sent to the full Senate floor

By Ryan Butler
Nebraska Betting Initiative Pays $6.50 Per Signature Pair
SocialApr 10, 2026

Nebraska Betting Initiative Pays $6.50 Per Signature Pair

The Nebraska online sports betting ballot measure campaign is hiring signature collectors; collectors earn $6.50 for each pair of verified signatures required to get the measure on the ballot.

By Ryan Butler
Wisconsin Gets Mobile Sportsbooks, Major Brands Still Missing
SocialApr 9, 2026

Wisconsin Gets Mobile Sportsbooks, Major Brands Still Missing

Wisconsin sports bettors The good news: You'll soon have legal statewide mobile sportsbooks, probably by year's end The bad news: It may be years (if ever) until you see most major national sportsbook brands

By Ryan Butler
Gov Says Sports Betting Bill Opens Tribal Collaboration
SocialApr 9, 2026

Gov Says Sports Betting Bill Opens Tribal Collaboration

Wisconsin Gov on signing sports betting bill into law: "This legislation is the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one. The real work begins today. Each of the 11 Tribes must now work diligently-and together-to shape the future of...

By Ryan Butler
Minnesota Moves Toward Online Sweepstakes Casino Ban
SocialApr 9, 2026

Minnesota Moves Toward Online Sweepstakes Casino Ban

A Minnesota legislative committee advanced an online sweepstakes casino ban bill today without opposition; Minnesota could join Maine, Indiana and several other states looking to pass similar bans this year

By Ryan Butler
BetMGM Leads Earnings Season Amid Slowing Handle, Rising Margins
SocialApr 9, 2026

BetMGM Leads Earnings Season Amid Slowing Handle, Rising Margins

BetMGM will help kick off the latest gaming industry corporate earnings season April 14; among the stories to watch will be potential handle slowdown hitting much of the rest of the industry as sportsbooks' profit margins increase and prediction markets...

By Ryan Butler
Wisconsin Tribes Push Gov. Evers to Sign Mobile Betting Bill
SocialApr 9, 2026

Wisconsin Tribes Push Gov. Evers to Sign Mobile Betting Bill

Wisconsin mobile betting bill update: All of the state's gaming tribes today issued a letter asking Gov. Tony Evers to sign a bill that would allow them to offer mobile sports betting in the state; Evers has reportedly sought unanimous...

By Ryan Butler
Ohio Mobile Betting Ban Unlikely to Pass, Says Analyst
SocialApr 8, 2026

Ohio Mobile Betting Ban Unlikely to Pass, Says Analyst

Do I think the Ohio mobile betting ban bill will pass? No. None of the 31 states with legal digital books have seriously considered it. But a press conference announcing this bill means at least some elected officials believe the...

By Ryan Butler
Iowa Proposal Could Double Gambling Revenue with Prediction Market Tax
SocialApr 7, 2026

Iowa Proposal Could Double Gambling Revenue with Prediction Market Tax

An Iowa bill under consideration in the House Ways & Means committee could tax 20% of the total value of all prediction market event contract trades, generating more than $130 million in annual revenue by 2032, per financial analysis released...

By Ryan Butler
Maine Bans Credit Cards for Online Betting, Following Industry Trend
SocialApr 7, 2026

Maine Bans Credit Cards for Online Betting, Following Industry Trend

Maine last week became the latest state to pass a law banning credit cards to fund online sportsbook accounts. Many of the nation's leading sportsbooks no longer accept credit cards in any state.

By Ryan Butler
Vegas Strip Rolls Out Summer All‑Inclusive Deals for Budget Travelers
SocialApr 6, 2026

Vegas Strip Rolls Out Summer All‑Inclusive Deals for Budget Travelers

Las Vegas Strip Casinos offering summer all-inclusive packages: - Excalibur - Luxor - Harrah's - Flamingo - The LINQ Move by MGM and Caesars comes as the Strip's two largest operators look to bolster appeal to more budget-conscious customers

By Ryan Butler