Geoff Zochodne
Geoff Zochodne
799 Articles
799 Articles
Geoff joined Covers as a sports betting journalist in May 2021 amid the legalization boom. Prior to that, he spent time writing about business and politics at the Financial Post and QP Briefing.
Sport to bet on: Golf or NASCAR
Sports movie: Senna
Sports snack: Giant pretzel
Covers feature: Odds and betting lines
Nate Diaz over Donald Cerrone at UFC 141. I was in Las Vegas at the time and saw my bet win while watching the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Best Betting Memory
Worst Beat
New York Lawmakers Want Sports Betting Ads to Warn of Potential Harm
The passage of a New York Senate bill is part of the political response to sports betting-related advertising concerns that have troubled lawmakers and regulators over the past two years.
AGA Pushes Other States to Follow Michigan, Crack Down on Offshore Sportsbooks
The support from the American Gaming Association for Michigan's brushback pitch to Bovada comes as the industry group has been pushing for the federal government to enact its own crackdown.
Michigan Threatens Bovada with Legal Action Over Unlicensed Sports Betting, iGaming
Bovada's operator has 14 days from receipt of a cease-and-desist letter “to take steps to prevent Michigan residents from gambling on their websites."
Ontario Sports Bettors Buy Local for RBC Canadian Open Golf Outrights
The strong play by Canadian golfers of late is reason enough for domestic punters to back them.
Illinois House Approves Sports Betting Tax Hike Despite Operator Warnings
The bill now heads to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who initially sought a general increase in the state’s sports wagering tax to 35% from its current 15%.
If States Hike Sports Wagering Taxes, What Does it Mean for Bettors?
The technology to offer worse odds in higher-tax states is reportedly coming soon.
Rivalry to Seek Loyalty of Tech-Savvy Sports Bettors with New Crypto Token
Rivalry users — albeit not those in Australia or Ontario, at least not for the time being — can now start amassing an interim form of currency by using its site.
Major Sportsbook Operators Would ‘Reevaluate’ Illinois Presence If Tax Hike Becomes Law
There is an appetite among lawmakers in Illinois to force the legal sports betting industry to pay more for access to the state’s wagering market, which is now one of the biggest in the U.S.
Alberta Legislature Passes Bill That Could Lead to Sports Betting, iGaming Expansion
The change makes it clear it is not just the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission that can “conduct and manage" gaming activities.
Delaware Inching Toward Competitive Sports Betting Scene
House Bill 365 would allow the state's three casinos to partner with up to two online sports betting operators apiece, meaning there could be six additional mobile wagering providers in the state.
Massachusetts Senate Shoots Down Proposed Sports Betting Tax Hike
Even so, the latest proposal continues a trend of states looking at whether to revise their financial arrangements with sportsbook operators after the launch of legal wagering already occurred.
Fanatics Fined $10K in Massachusetts for College Sports Betting Misstep
The in-state college rule has been an ongoing issue for the MGC, as several operators have run afoul and received fines.
SCOTUS to Decide Whether to Wade Into Florida’s Ongoing Sports Betting Battle
The legal struggle centers around a few questions, such as whether the compact authorizes online sports betting off Seminole lands.
Limit Limiting and Lose Sports Betting Markets, Operators Warn
“If limiting is no longer possible for individual players to whatever extent, then there are applicable restrictions,” a representative from one sportsbook operator warned.
Mohawk Won’t Appeal Ontario Court’s Sports Betting, iGaming Decision
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke says it will instead seek to pursue and assert its gaming rights "via other avenues."
Sportsbook Operators Duck Betting Limits Forum in Massachusetts, Citing Business Reasons
The absence of active operators meant the discussion about limits was itself limited right from the start.
Scheffler Detained at PGA Championship, Creating Uncertainty for Sports Bettors
Scheffler was scheduled to tee off at 10:08 ET on Friday for the second round of the tournament. If he were unable to play via disqualification or withdrawal, it could have had huge consequences for betting markets.
Illinois Committee Advances Anti-Dave & Buster’s Betting Bill
While the sponsor of the bill tried to refrain from mentioning Dave & Buster’s, his comments suggested it was the company’s recently revealed plan to launch a betting feature on its app that was the inspiration for the measure.
Horse Racing is Set on Winning Over Sports Bettors. It Isn't Easy.
With the Preakness Stakes this weekend, it should, in theory, be an ideal time for the horse racing industry to woo new and loyal customers who already bet on sports.
Alberta Making Progress Toward Ontario-Like Online Sports Betting, iGaming Market
Alberta is putting the pieces in place to establish its own Ontario-like system for online sports betting and internet casino gambling.
