Derek Helling is a lead writer for 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 legislation and litigation happening in the industry. He loves to read hundreds of pages of a gambling bill or lawsuit so his audience doesn’t have to.

Prior to writing about gambling, Helling covered the business and legal aspects of sports for publications like FanSided’s flagship site, Ozy, and other Catena Media sites.

Helling completed his journalism degree at the University of Iowa.

Below is a sample of work:

Stories written about sports and gambling regulation in the US

• 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
• TheLines: MLB Sign-Stealing Suggests It Should Be The One Paying ‘Integrity Fees’

PlayUSA article highlights

• An Inside Look At One Of The First Iowa Sportsbooks
• Billionaire Puts A New Twist On Fantasy Sports With Monkey Knife Fight
• Handle19 Wants To Be Both The First And Most Unique Sportsbook In Washington, DC
• Legal Missouri Sports Betting May Be A Long Shot Because The ‘Politics Are So Messy’
• On Verge Of Public Listing, Luckbox Eyes Challenges, Opportunities In North America
• Sporting KC President Is Bullish About Legalizing Sports Betting In Kansas
• Regulated Sports Betting Provides Solutions For Athletes, Sports
• NY Sports Betting Regulations Make Bad Theory Worse In Practice With Official Data Mandate
• Gamban Founder Wants To Aid US Gambling Industry’s Responsible Gambling Efforts
• Choctaw Nation’s Funding Of Arkansas Casino Petition Has Little To Do With Pope County

Podcast and video appearances

• 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:

• Pennsylvania Supreme Court Could Finally Settle Skill Games Issue, 29 Mar 2023
• Charitable Games Become Part Of Regulated Landscape In Virginia, 29 Mar 2023
• US Senator Questions Colleges On Student Problem Gambling Resources, 28 Mar 2023
• Connecticut Lottery Will Change Sports Betting Partners, 28 Mar 2023
• Mississippi Casino Project Moves Toward Construction, 27 Mar 2023
• Golden Nugget Will Take Over Hard Rock Lake Tahoe Casino, 27 Mar 2023
• Tennessee Sportsbooks Win Over 10% Of February Sports Betting Dollars, 24 Mar 2023
• Vermont Sports Betting Bill Heads To Senate With Amendments, 24 Mar 2023
• Tennessee Legislators Might Take Up Sports Betting Tax Changes Later, 24 Mar 2023
• West Virginia Online Casinos Rake And Break Revenue Record, 23 Mar 2023
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