The World Series of Politics podcast is back with a new episode featuring special guests Sara Dalsheim and Abbey Block from Ifrah Law. They join hosts Brendan Bussmann and Brandt Iden to discuss betting regulations, ongoing lawsuits, and insights from Florida.
**Michigan’s Proposed Tax Changes**
The episode begins with developments in Michigan, where state senators Sam Singh and Jeremy Moss are introducing legislation to adjust taxes on betting and igaming. Their proposal includes a modest 0.1% increase for sports betting and an additional 1% on the tiered igaming rate. Brandt highlights these changes, noting their unexpected timing and the perpetual challenges legislators face in managing gaming revenues.
**Florida’s Gaming Model Under Scrutiny**
The conversation then shifts to Florida’s sports betting landscape, where the Seminole Tribe is cautiously expanding its monopoly. This raises questions about whether Florida’s framework could be a model for other states with tribal gaming, such as California and Oklahoma. Abbey and Sara note the challenges of applying Florida’s model where multiple tribes manage gaming operations.
You can listen to the episode here: [World Series of Politics on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/world-series-of-politics/id1641479903).
**Looking Ahead to Legal Battles in 2025**
With 2024 wrapping up, Abbey and Sara anticipate more consumer-focused litigation in 2025. This includes potential suits related to misleading advertising, which is already affecting companies like DraftKings and Hard Rock. This legal trend could represent significant hurdles for other gaming operators.
**Controversy in the Sweepstakes Sector**
The grey market, particularly in sweepstakes, faces similar legal threats. Michigan has been proactive in eliminating sweepstakes operations, finding success by definitively categorizing them as illegal under their regulations. This situation raises the question: could regulation be the most effective strategy against unlicensed sweepstake activities?