Derek Helling
Assistant Managing Editor
Derek Helling is the assistant managing editor of PlayUSA. He broke into covering the legal US gambling industry in North America in 2018 while PASPA still existed and the only reason anyone knew anything about the Federal Wire Act of 1961 was that Robert F. Kennedy made a big deal of it when he was JFK’s attorney general.
Within a broader scope of gaming, Helling focuses on reporting breaking news in addition to industry-related financial, regulatory, and technological updates. He loves to think about what’s next for the online gambling industry and the role that online gambling plays in society as a whole.
Prior to writing about gambling, Helling covered the business and legal aspects of sports for publications like FanSided’s flagship site, Ozy, and myriad other publications.
Helling completed his journalism degree at the University of Iowa. He authored a chapter on the economics of the National Football League in the Kendall Hunt textbook, “Sport Finance.”
Stories written about gambling regulation in the US
Below is a sample of his work:
- Chicago Sun Times: City can’t ignore new casino’s impact on people struggling with gambling
Advocacy for Fairness in Sports: Florida’s NIL Law Makes The State Another Predator For College Athletes’ Economic Interests - FanSided: 5 things to know about the Supreme Court PASPA ruling
- FanSided: How NFL teams treat cheerleaders is no surprise
- Ozy: The NBA 2K League Is Ready To Go Coast To Coast… To Coast
- PlayIndiana: Indiana Sportsbooks Keep Adding Sports, But NWSL Remains On The Outs
- PlayMA: The Saga Of First Light Casino Just Keeps Going
- PlayTenn: TN Lottery Board Runs Sports Betting, But Arguably Knows Very Little About It
PlayUSA article highlights
- Red Lobster Bankruptcy Signals Dangers Of Private Equity To Online Gambling Firms
- What DraftKings’ Latest Earnings Report Shows It Can Learn From Starbucks
- Are Casinos The New Entertainment Value With Skyrocketing Costs Elsewhere?
- Potential Tax Hike For NJ Online Casinos Has Ramifications Beyond Gaming
- Younger Consumers’ Emphasis On Wellness Represents Shift In Entertainment Interests
- Sports Betting Ad Restriction Proposals Show Online Gambling Industry Has Public Image Problem
- Google’s Changes Might Alter Your Online Gambling Experience
- Kim Rogers’ Successes In The Online Gambling Industry Add Up To Wins For Anaxi
- You Belong With Meme: Remembering The Gambling Industry’s 2023
- Sports Betting Integrity Issues Have Been Gendered But That Could Change
Podcast and video appearances
- News Channel 20: Illinois’ tax revenues from legalized gambling go to education, infrastructure projects
- She Plays: Sports Betting in Women’s Sports!
- Locked on Yankees: Talking about the Lockout with Derek Helling
- Beckett Live: Beckett Live Presents Sportswriter Derek Helling
- Vegas Hockey Podcast: Derek Helling
- The Biscuit: Episode 155 Derek Helling
Posts by Derek Helling:
- Queens Casino Bid Of Steve Cohen And Hard Rock Still Searching For Solution, 11 Oct 2024
- Florida Might Not Be Lost Cause For Limited Competition In Online Casino Play, 10 Oct 2024
- Appeal Of Dragon Train Court Order Likely Not Forthcoming, 09 Oct 2024
- Vigilance Is Online Casino Players’ Greatest Ally Against Fraud, 08 Oct 2024
- Ace23, Papaya Gaming Become Targets Of Enforcement In Michigan, 04 Oct 2024
- More Research Reinforces The Obvious Regarding Regulation For Online Casinos, 03 Oct 2024
- Slight Downturn In Nevada Casino Win Continues In August, 26 Sep 2024
- Pair Of Lawsuits Might Determine New Parameters For Casino Game Design, 26 Sep 2024
- The 2024 Election And What It Could Mean For The US Gaming Landscape, 03 Sep 2024
- Bigger Could Be, But Isn’t Necessarily, Better For Online Casino Operators, 25 Sep 2024