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Sports-Betting Boost Expected With Texas, Oklahoma In SEC

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2024

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With the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners now in the Southeastern Conference, legal sports betting soon could jump by double digits in the region, says one bookmaker.

Starting this season, Texas and Oklahoma are in position to challenge for the SEC football championship — and championships across all SEC sports — in a collegiate conference loaded with rich traditions and annual national title contenders.

The Longhorns and Sooners joined the SEC in July. Both moved over from the Big 12.

“This new conference (alignment) leads to better games for the book and better opportunities for the player,” Casey Lewless, manager of two Louisiana sportsbooks, told Gambling.com.

Legal sportsbooks in Louisiana are popular with bettors from neighboring Texas and nearby Oklahoma. Sports wagering is illegal in Texas and Oklahoma.

Because of this, the Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana, expects to see a bump of about 30% in college wagering, Lewless said. That sportsbook already was anticipating more action because of its recent expansion.

The Margaritaville sportsbook is one of two in Northwest Louisiana that Lewless manages for Penn Entertainment. The other is at the nearby Boomtown Casino Hotel.

Lewless pointed to Texas’ rivalry years ago with the Arkansas Razorbacks in the former Southwest Conference as a matchup that will stir interest now that both are in the SEC. Sports betting is legal in Arkansas.

Also, every clash between the two Texas SEC schools — the Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies — will stir emotions and boost sports betting in close-by states like Louisiana where wagering is legal, Lewless said.

Sports Betting Illegal In Half Of SEC States

The addition of Oklahoma into the SEC means six of the 12 states with schools in the conference do not have legal sports betting. Texas already had a school in the SEC — Texas A&M.

Those six SEC states make up the largest geographic region in the U.S. without legal sports betting. Combined, the six states have a population of more than 62 million, representing about 19% of the U.S. population.

Nationwide, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C.

The SEC states without legal sports betting are:

Texas (Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies)
Oklahoma (Oklahoma Sooners)
Missouri (Missouri Tigers)
Alabama (Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers)
Georgia (Georgia Bulldogs)
South Carolina (South Carolina Gamecocks)
The other six SEC states have either in-person or mobile sports betting — or both. Tennessee is a mobile-only state, while Mississippi has in-person sports betting at casinos but not off-site mobile wagering.

The SEC states with legal sports betting are:

Arkansas (Arkansas Razorbacks)
Louisiana (LSU Tigers)
Kentucky (Kentucky Wildcats)
Tennessee (Tennessee Volunteers, Vanderbilt Commodores)
Mississippi (Ole Miss Rebels, Mississippi State Bulldogs)
Florida (Florida Gators)

College Football Kicks Off In August

The overall college football schedule kicks off Aug. 24, including a matchup overseas between Florida State and Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.

In the SEC, the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Brent Venables, begin their season on Aug. 30 against Temple at OU’s Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium.

The SEC schedule gets fully underway over the Labor Day weekend, highlighted by an Aug. 31 contest between Clemson and Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

On that same day, the Steve Sarkisian-coached Texas Longhorns host Colorado State in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

The next day’s schedule, on Sept. 1, features another SEC school, LSU, in a matchup against Southern California in the Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

SEC Divisions Abandoned

The addition of Texas and Oklahoma brings the number of teams in the SEC to 16. This season, the conference football championship will be decided between the top two teams. The 2024 SEC title game is set for Dec. 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

In previous years, the conference was split into two divisions, with the East and West winners battling it out for for the SEC title.

The 2024 arrangement with no divisions is a departure in the conference structure dating back more than three decades.

Source

Related Topics:latest-news norss Oklahoma SEC sports betting Texas

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Eastern Europe

FeedConstruct locks up exclusive Romanian football data and streaming rights

Published

49 minutes ago

June 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

feedconstruct-locks-up-exclusive-romanian-football-data-and-streaming-rights

Deal covers Romania’s FA Cup, Super Cup, Liga 2 and Liga 3, women’s Superliga and national team matches, plus Liga 1 Futsal.

FeedConstruct has signed an agreement to secure exclusive data and video streaming rights for a portfolio of Romanian football competitions, the company said.

FeedConstruct said the rights are held on an exclusive basis across the full season and expand its European football content for betting operators.

The agreement covers the Romanian FA Cup, Super Cup, Men’s Liga 2 and Liga 3, Superliga Women, Women’s National Team matches, and Liga 1 Futsal competitions.

Financial terms, contract duration beyond “the full season,” and any distribution or integrity safeguards were not disclosed.

The post FeedConstruct locks up exclusive Romanian football data and streaming rights appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Aztec Spell – Hold & Hit 3x3

Spinomenal releases Aztec Spell – Hold & Hit 3×3

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

spinomenal-releases-aztec-spell-–-hold-&-hit-3×3

Spinomenal has released Aztec Spell – Hold & Hit 3×3, adding a new Hold & Hit title to its slots portfolio.

The game runs on a 3×3 reel set and uses the Quetzal Bird as the Wild, substituting for all symbols except Bonus symbols. Two special Bonus symbols drive the main feature: Bonus symbols can land only on reels one and three, while Bonus Collect can land only on reel two.

The Bonus Game triggers when Bonus Collect lands alongside one or more Bonus symbols. Triggering symbols lock and the feature starts with three spins; during the feature only Bonus and Bonus Collect symbols can appear. Each spin can award multipliers of x1, x2, x5, x7, x10, and x15, and the round ends after three spins without a win or when total collected winnings reach the max x5000 multiplier.

Spinomenal said Grand, Major, Minor, and Mini in-game jackpot symbols can appear during the feature and pay immediately. A Bonus Blast feature can also trigger randomly to add extra Bonus and Bonus Collect symbols, and Spinomenal said Bonus Collect can still collect values even if it lands without starting the Bonus Game.

Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “Aztec Spell – Hold & Hit 3×3 casts players into a mysterious jungle on the hunt for Aztec riches enhanced by some cool gameplay features. The titles’s beautiful visuals and proven Hold & Hit mechanics come together perfectly to give players an experience for the ages.”

The post Spinomenal releases Aztec Spell – Hold & Hit 3×3 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Anthony Keen

Hard Rock Workers in Virginia Join Teamsters

Published

2 hours ago

June 4, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

hard-rock-workers-in-virginia-join-teamsters

A group of 221 table games dealers and dual rates at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol have voted to join Teamsters Local 519. They’re seeking a fair first contract that includes higher wages, improved benefits, and a strong voice on the job.

“Dealers and dual rates are the backbone of the gaming floor, and when they stand together, they have the power to win real improvements on the job. It was the best decision to choose the Teamsters, and we’re proud to support them as they move forward in securing a fair first contract,” said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division.

The dealers are responsible for operating table games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. They manage the games, handle chips and payouts, and ensure games are conducted fairly and efficiently.

“It was a team effort from start to finish, and we had the best team to fight for representation, including our organizer, Marty Hinch. At the drop of a hat we were ready to support this group in their effort to join the Teamsters. Their determination carried over, and they’re going to reap the benefits,” said Wes Trotterchaud, President of Local 519.

“Choosing to join the Teamsters was about securing respect, stability, and a voice on the casino floor. We’re ready to negotiate a contract that reflects the hard work we do every day,” said Anthony Keen, a table games dealer/dual rate and proud new member of Local 519.

Nationwide, the Teamsters represent nearly 6000 members at casinos and casino hotels.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

The post Hard Rock Workers in Virginia Join Teamsters appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.