Gambling in the USA

Indiana Sportsbooks Lose Out On $125 Million In March Wagers

Published

6 years ago

April 9, 2020

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Without NCAA Tournament, NBA, baseball, and more, sportsbooks attract $75 million in bets, according to PlayIndiana

Indiana’s retail and online sportsbooks were hit hard in the first weeks of the coronavirus shutdown, costing the state an estimated $125 million in wagers in March, according to PlayIndiana. And with no immediate end in sight, the industry will continue to navigate treacherous waters in the months ahead.

“This is an unprecedented stoppage for legal sportsbooks, and there is no playbook for them to follow to help manage the crisis,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Obviously, the sports betting industry is just one facet in a crisis that is affecting us all, too often tragically. But it is a business that employs hundreds in Indiana and generates millions in state taxes. And the bottom line is that there will be no significant relief until the sports world begins to open back up.”

Indiana appeared to be headed for its first month of more than $200 million in bets. Instead, the state’s retail and online sportsbooks collected just $74.8 million in March wagers, down 60% from the record $187.2 million in February, according to official reporting released Thursday. Almost all of the handle was generated before March 11, when the NBA shut down its season and sent a cascade of closures through the sports world.

March’s bets produced $5.5 million in adjusted gross revenue, down 50.5% from $11.9 million in February, and yielded $522,0825 in tax revenue for the state.

The shutdown wiped out nearly three weeks of games, including the NBA and the opening of the Major League Baseball season. The loss of the NCAA Tournament, one of the largest sports betting holidays in the U.S., proved particularly damaging. Indiana sportsbooks could have generated more than $50 million in tournament-related wagers, PlayIndiana estimates.

“There is no way to replace the revenue that would have been generated from the NCAA Tournament, which in legal jurisdictions generates more action than the Super Bowl,” said Jessica Welman, an analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “The NCAA Tournament can’t be rescheduled, but professional leagues are beginning to draw plans to begin games again. We still don’t know what that looks like or when it will happen. Whether spectators are there to watch in-person or not, though, online sportsbooks should again be able to attract bettors, which will be welcome news for the industry.

Other than some minor international events and futures betting, mainly on the NFL, sportsbooks have gone completely silent. That could change in a minor way without a single game being played. Sportsbooks are now accepting bets on Friday’s WNBA Draft and the NFL Draft later this month.

“We don’t expect a lot of betting on the WNBA and NFL drafts, but we suspect that each will draw more interest than either would under ordinary circumstances,” Welman said. “People are looking for some sense of normalcy while they practice social distancing, and the drafts and futures betting is providing at least some outlet for bettors.”

In March, online sportsbooks generated 81.3%, or $60.8 million, of the state’s handle. DraftKings/Ameristar Casino led the market with $33.1 million in bets, down from $74.1 million in February, and generated $2.4 million in gross receipts, down from $5.7 million. FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino was second with a $21.6 million handle, down from $63.8 million. That resulted in a $1.45 million win, down from $2.7 million.

The market leaders were followed by:

BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($3.6 million handle, down from $7.7 million; $343,482 win, down from $348,869)
BetAmerica/Rising Star Casino ($132,568 handle, down from $212,953; $8,233 win, up from -$6,169)
BetMGM/Belterra ($2.1 million handle, up from $70,061; $370,669 win, up from $13,175)
Hollywood Lawrenceburg/PointsBet ($334,237 handle, $65,390 win)

Horseshoe Hammond led the retail market with $3.4 million in bets, down from $12.4 million in February. That generated $211,475 in gross receipts, up from $52,445. Horseshoe Hammond was followed by:

Hollywood Lawrenceburg ($2.6 million handle, down from $6.8 million; $65,390 win, down from $308,577)
Ameristar Casino ($2.1 million handle, down from $5.9 million; $232,186 win, down from $345,660)
Indiana Grand ($1.7 million handle, down from $4.7 million; $95,088 win, down from $516,760)
Harrah’s Hoosier Park ($1.8 million handle, down from $4.5 million; $32,459 win, down from $301,764)
Caesars Southern Indiana ($800,758 handle, down from $2.2 million; -$25,689 win, up from $16,774)
Blue Chip Casino ($693,011 handle, down from $2.1 million; $10,736 win, up from $3,008)
Tropicana Evansville ($594,036 handle, down from $1.6 million; -$49,753 win, down from $31,513)
Belterra Casino ($242,689 handle, down from $864,230; -$35,082 win, down from $46,173)
French Lick Resort ($81,343 handle, down from $387,656; -$16,027 win, down from $27,015)
Rising Star Casino ($43,686 handle, down from $123,393; -$5,903 win, down from $11,723)

“Online sportsbooks will bounce back more quickly than their retail counterparts, which face a much more uncertain future as the coronavirus pandemic continues,” Gouker said. “In states where online casino games and poker are legal, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, casino operators have had a bit softer landing. But Indiana has really borne the brunt of this crisis, unfortunately.”

For more revenue information on Indiana sportsbooks, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.

Fredrik Liljewall CEO at PlayStar

Strive Gaming Partners with PlayStar Casino to Expand Presence in New Jersey

Published

29 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

strive-gaming-partners-with-playstar-casino-to-expand-presence-in-new-jersey

Strive Gaming, the contemporary multi-state, multi-tenant platform provider designed for the North American market, has unveiled a new collaboration with prominent online casino operator PlayStar.

According to the agreement, Strive will offer its top-tier PAM technology, aiding PlayStar’s ongoing expansion throughout North America. PlayStar is set to transition its New Jersey operations from its existing player account management (PAM) provider to the Strive platform, with subsequent launches planned in more regulated areas, such as Ontario and Alberta in Canada.

PlayStar chose Strive after a comprehensive assessment as it sought a platform partner that could facilitate its long-term goals throughout North America. Strive’s exclusive emphasis on the U.S. market, along with the robustness and scalability of its technology, distinguished it as the obvious partner of choice.

Max Meltzer, CEO at Strive Gaming, said: “PlayStar is a highly ambitious operator with a clear vision for building one of the leading casino brands in North America. They were looking for a platform partner that understands the realities of operating in the U.S. and Canada and can support them as they scale across multiple regulated markets.

“Our focus on North America, combined with the strength and flexibility of our platform, made this a natural fit. Both companies are on strong growth journeys and share similar ambitions for the region, so we’re excited to support PlayStar as they continue to expand.”

PlayStar Casino has quickly established itself as one of the success stories of the regulated North American casino market. The company has successfully built meaningful market share and a strong player following. Partnering with Strive marks the next stage in its growth strategy as it looks to expand further across North America.

Fredrik Liljewall, CEO at PlayStar, added: “As we continue to scale our presence across North America, selecting a platform partner with a strong regional focus and the ability to support our long-term ambitions was critical.

“Strive’s technology, deep understanding of the North American market, and collaborative mindset made them the clear partner for PlayStar. We look forward to working closely together as we migrate our New Jersey operations and expand into additional jurisdictions, including Canada.”

This partnership marks another important milestone for Strive Gaming, which now supports more B2B PAM customers in the U.S. than any other platform provider. The addition of PlayStar further strengthens Strive’s growing portfolio of operators and reinforces its position as a supplier of choice for ambitious brands looking to launch and scale in the North American market.

The post Strive Gaming Partners with PlayStar Casino to Expand Presence in New Jersey appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling in the USA

PENN to Open the New Hollywood Casino Aurora to Public on June 24

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

penn-to-open-the-new-hollywood-casino-aurora-to-public-on-june-24

PENN Entertainment Inc. has announced that it expects to open the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora to the public on Wednesday, June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals. This will be the second all-new PENN property to open in the Chicagoland region following the grand opening of the land-based Hollywood Casino Joliet in August 2025.

The new $360 million entertainment destination is being developed across from Chicago Premium Outlets, located near Interstate-88 in Aurora. The state-of-the-art property will feature a luxurious hotel, more than 1200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, outdoor entertainment area, full-service spa, premium bars and restaurants, a 12,000 square foot event center and approximately 1700 parking spaces. The Company expects to employ approximately 700 team members at the new casino, which nearly doubles PENN’s existing employee roster in Aurora.

“We are now months away from opening another premium entertainment destination in the greater Chicago region. We are thrilled to follow the successful rollout of Hollywood Casino Joliet last summer with another new land-based property, strengthening our overall retail portfolio in the Midwest and deepening our roots in the community,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment.

Hollywood Casino Aurora will feature an upscale 226-room hotel offering a variety of standard rooms and suites, as well as a beauty and wellness space, Drift Spa.

The new property will also be outfitted with numerous world class dining experiences for guests to enjoy. As previously announced, PENN has partnered with celebrity chef and entrepreneur Giada De Laurentiis to open Sorella by Giada. The Italian-California fusion restaurant will offer approximately 170 seats for indoor and outdoor dining, a contemporary bar and private dining options.

Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, operated by McClain Camarota Hospitality (MCH), will include Lucky Goat by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard; Five50 Pizza, a pizza concept from the renowned chefs at MCH; and Chicago favorites Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. Additional restaurant partners that will be unique to Aurora’s Boulevard Food & Drink Hall will be announced in the coming weeks.

“These popular restaurateurs will provide our customers with amazing dining options at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora. Together with our hotel, event center, spa and additional amenities, patrons will experience a vibrant atmosphere at this new area attraction,” said Rafael Verde, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations at PENN Entertainment.

The 12,000 square foot event center will be equipped to host a variety of events, including meetings, conferences, weddings, galas, entertainment and more. Entertainment bookings are already underway, and the first public events will be announced soon.

Additional details related to the grand opening of the new casino will be provided in advance of June 24. The Company expects to work with the Illinois Gaming Board on the transfer of operations from the existing Hollywood Casino Aurora, which is located on the Fox River in downtown Aurora, to the new landside facility as the opening date nears.

In conjunction with this $360 million project, PENN expects to receive $225 million in funding from Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. near the project’s opening, at a 7.75% capitalization rate. By the end of the year, the Company also expects to receive the remaining $21 million of the $50 million in funding being contributed by the City of Aurora by year end.

The post PENN to Open the New Hollywood Casino Aurora to Public on June 24 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Daniel Lechner

Studio combines engagement tools with bespoke, franchise and omnichannel content under single umbrella

Published

7 days ago

March 18, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

studio-combines-engagement-tools-with-bespoke,-franchise-and-omnichannel-content-under-single-umbrella

White Hat Studios, a dedicated US iGaming market supplier, has unveiled Amplify Suite, a comprehensive engagement ecosystem designed to deliver operators flexibility, creative autonomy, and measurable commercial impact.

Amplify consolidates the provider’s promotional tools and proprietary content into a fully connected, scalable framework, equipping operators with a diverse range of performance-enhancing solutions engineered to maximise growth across regulated US markets.

Built on an API-first foundation, the suite incorporates White Hat Studios’ Engage promotional engine, comprised of tools such as Win Spins, Super Mode, and Triggers, alongside its award-winning Progressive Jackpot networks. This services an increasing demand for advanced gamification tools, enabling operators to stimulate user activity and drive sustained engagement.

These promotional tools are complemented by the studio’s first-class content portfolio. With a track record of creating custom products for tier-one operators, Amplify Bespoke will build on this momentum to deliver bespoke slots that support deeper brand integration and exclusive IP ownership.

Amplify Franchises transforms standalone hits into enduring game families, exemplified by the US-renowned 7s Fire Blitz series. By leveraging player familiarity and brand loyalty, franchises consistently drive momentum upon launch and can reignite traction across a game brand.

The suite is further strengthened by Amplify Omni, enabled through the studio’s landmark distribution agreement with Gaming Arts. The partnership facilitates the conversion and distribution of White Hat Studios content across US land-based casinos, while also supporting the transition of land-based titles into regulated online markets for the first time.

This powerful two-way content pipeline enhances the ecosystem, allowing US brands to engage and convert players seamlessly between casino floors and digital platforms.

The launch of Amplify represents a significant milestone in White Hat Studios’ strategic evolution, connecting its full product portfolio within a single, unified framework. Custom-built for US markets, the suite is set to redefine how operators engage their audiences and elevate commercial performance.

Daniel Lechner, SVP Sales and Marketing at White Hat Studios, said: “Amplify will serve as the promotional and engagement backbone of White Hat Studios. Bringing our diverse offering under one cohesive ecosystem, the suite is optimised to deliver tangible impact across the entire player journey.

“By combining configurable engagement tools with premium, high-performing content, Amplify empowers US operators to differentiate and scale within competitive environments.”

The post Studio combines engagement tools with bespoke, franchise and omnichannel content under single umbrella appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.