Gambling in the USA

INDIANA SPORTSBOOKS LOSE OUT ON $165 MILLION IN APRIL BETS

Published

5 years ago

May 12, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

With retail sportsbooks shuttered and few events to draw bets, April could be low point, according to PlayIndiana.com

Indiana sportsbooks suffered their worst month ever in April — including a retail sector that did not produce a single bet — costing sportsbooks an estimated $165 million in bets, according to estimates from PlayIndiana.

With a minimized schedule of sports to bet on and casinos closed for the entire month, Indiana generated just $26.3 million in wagers, according to official reporting released Monday. During a month in which online and retail sportsbooks would have expected to draw at least $190 million in bets, April’s handle was down 64.8% from $74.8 million in March. That’s the lowest monthly handle ever for Indiana sportsbooks, which launched in October 2019 with $35.2 million in bets.

“April’s results are shocking, but not at all surprising,” said Dustin Gouker, chief analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Bettors have very few places to turn in Indiana. In some states, online casinos have driven significant revenue. But that isn’t possible in Indiana. So the industry’s results will continue to be grim until the sports world figures out a way to reopen.”

April’s wagers still produced $5.5 million in adjusted gross revenue, essentially even with March. That yielded $522,085 in tax revenue for the state.

Without legal online casino games and poker, and no esports betting, bettors in Indiana have largely been limited since mid-March to fringe international sports and futures betting. In fact, $21 million of the state’s handle was generated by “other” sports, far more than football, basketball, and baseball.

The NFL Draft, and to a lesser extent the WNBA Draft, gave bettors some reason to engage with sportsbooks in April. Indiana, the first state to allow betting on professional sports drafts, generated $1.3 million in football-related wagers in April, most of which came from the NFL Draft.

“The shut down of sports has led to some creativity by Indiana’s bookmakers, and that creativity was rewarded with interest in the NFL Draft,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Even though Indiana has missed out on some opportunities, regulators have at least been nimble enough to allow some unconventional ideas.”

There are reasons for cautious optimism. NASCAR is planning on revving up in May, which could draw betting interest. The PGA Tour is planning a June tee off while baseball and the NBA continue to search for a workable solution to restart their seasons. In addition, Indiana’s casinos and retail sportsbooks could open as early as June 14.

“It could be that April is the low point in what will undoubtedly still be a struggle until sports can resume with their regular schedules,” Gouker said. “If sports do resume relatively soon, online sportsbooks should recover quickly. In the meantime, sportsbooks will continue to look for creative ways to drive revenue.”

Because retail sportsbooks were shut down entirely in April—costing an estimated $40 million in in-person bets—online sportsbooks accounted for the entire handle in the state. DraftKings/Ameristar Casino led the market with $13.6 million in bets, up from $33.1 million in March. That generated $908,322 in gross receipts, down from $2.4 million. FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino was second with a $9.7 million handle, down from $21.6 million. That resulted in a $558,155 win, down from $1.5 million.

The market leaders were followed by:

BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($2.1 million handle, down from $3.6 million; $116,726 win, down from $343,482)
Hollywood Lawrenceburg/PointsBet ($449,638 handle, up from $334,237 handle; -$4,768 handle, down from $65,390)
BetMGM/Belterra ($418,195 handle, down from $2.1 million; $48,043 handle, down from $370,669)
BetAmerica/Rising Star Casino ($3,886 handle, down from $132,568; $3,519 win, down from $8,233)

The shutdown may have slowed the development of some sportsbooks apps, too. BetIndiana is still sorting through issues. And familiar brands such as William Hill, which operates a retail sportsbook at Tropicana Evansville, as well as Caesars, Fox Bet, and Unibet have yet to enter the market.

“The legacy of this shut down for the market could be in the way it has stunted its growth,” Welman said. “From lost revenue to less competition, the effects of this unprecedented shutdown will be felt well after sports resume.”

American gambling industry

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 29-October 5

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-september-29-october-5

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Jackpot Digital Inc. has announced that it has been granted a Manufacturer and Distributor License by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. This approval authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply gaming equipment to licensed casino operators throughout Mississippi. This marks the Company’s second state-level manufacturer’s license in the US. Additional licensing applications are currently pending in other jurisdictions as part of the Company’s ongoing growth strategy. Mississippi is one of the nation’s premier destination gaming markets, generating over $2.4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2023. The state’s Gulf Coast and Biloxi regions are particularly well known for their vibrant casino tourism and established gaming brands.

iDEA (iDevelopment and Economic Association), the leading trade association representing the U.S. online gaming industry, launched the definitive online destination for all things online gambling: ideagrowth.org. The new website provides the media, and U.S. legislators and regulators, a comprehensive resource for data-driven research, policy insights, and responsible gaming resources. The new website provides the industry’s most vital statistics and research — from consumer protections to economic development — in an engaging, accessible format designed for maximum impact.

CT Interactive has further strengthened its international presence by expanding its certified game portfolio on the regulated Peruvian market with 20 new titles. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging gaming content tailored specifically to regional markets. The newly certified portfolio features titles from CT Interactive’s popular Buy Bonus product line, including fan favorites such as Duck of Luck, Fruits & Sweets, Doctor Winstein, and Nanook the White Ghost. These enhanced editions deliver dynamic gameplay with one- or three-level Buy Bonus options, giving players new tools for diverse strategies and greater control over the game’s pace and excitement. A highlight of the newly certified titles is the launch of Lucky Clover 10, the latest addition to the acclaimed Clover-themed series.

Partnerships

CT Interactive has entered a new phase of its Latin American growth by launching its complete portfolio of games on Rushbet in Mexico and Peru. This collaboration with Rush Street Interactive—one of the region’s leading online casino and sportsbook operators—marks a significant step in the company’s international expansion. Players on Rushbet now have access to proven favorites like Lucky Clover, 40 Treasures, Win Storm and Big Chilli, along with the engaging Hot Luck three-level jackpot, designed to enhance player excitement and retention. This partnership underscores CT Interactive’s commitment to long-term collaboration and delivering tailored gaming solutions across diverse Latin American markets.

Hard Rock International has announced its 26th annual PINKTOBER campaign in partnership with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ahead of this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a global entertainment and hospitality brand guided by the principle “All is One,” Hard Rock is leveraging every touchpoint to support the cause throughout October, from a limited-edition retail collection to special menu items and events. A portion of proceeds from PINKTOBER sales each year are donated to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock, to support breast cancer awareness and research worldwide. The program has raised over $13 million for breast cancer research since its inception.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 29-October 5 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

American gambling industry

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 22-28

Published

2 weeks ago

September 30, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-september-22-28

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR), an entity that brings together the leading operators of regulated sports betting and online gaming in Brazil and worldwide, is beginning a process of leadership transition. Fernando Vieira is leaving the executive presidency of the institution to pursue a new professional opportunity in another sector. The association has already started the process of selecting Fernando’s successor, and during this transition period, André Gelfi, current director, board member and one of the founders of the entity, will serve as interim president. During his tenure, Fernando was one of the most active voices in consolidating the regulated betting sector in Brazil, helping to shape the public debate, expanding the responsible gaming agenda and leading the fight against the illegal market, which still represents a large portion of activity in the country.

Genius Sports Limited has announced that it has acquired Sports Innovation Lab, the leader in sports fan data. The acquisition fast-tracks the expansion of Genius Sports’ media business, combining the most comprehensive official game data with the deepest fan intelligence available. Together, the two companies will deliver a 360° view of the modern fan journey, uniting on-field performance with off-field transactions, unlocking new value and innovation across the global sports ecosystem. This combination creates the most comprehensive fan database in sports and entertainment, tracking billions of annual transactions, including purchases, attendance and viewership. It enables brands and agencies to target fans with unmatched precision, directly connect campaigns to real behaviours and transactions, and deliver measurable ROI across every channel.

Partnerships

CT Gaming has announced another successful installation in the Latin American region, strengthening its footprint in one of the most dynamic gaming markets worldwide. In partnership with Group Caliente, CT Gaming has introduced the Diamond King 4 multigame on the cutting-edge NEXT cabinet at the operator’s venue in the region of Tijuana, Mexico. This installation brings a premium gaming experience, combining next-generation hardware with one of CT Gaming’s most celebrated multigames. This is not the first collaboration between CT Gaming and Group Caliente, as the two companies have built a strong and lasting partnership over the years. However, the new project represents an important step forward, further enhancing the gaming offerings available to players in the region.

BetMGM has announced a new content partnership making BetMGM the presenting sponsor of Playmaker HQ’s “Roommates Show” with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. Playmaker HQ, part of Better Collective’s global House of Brands, is also debuting “No Limit” under its dedicated casino content arm, All In – a new show featuring former NBA star Iman Shumpert. BetMGM will serve as the presenting sponsor. “Roommates Show” is a weekly video podcast hosted by Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, two of the NBA’s top rising stars and backcourt dynamic duo of the New York Knicks. Joining Josh and Jalen is their best friend and college roommate, Matt Hillman, serving as the show’s third co-host. The latest season began September 6 with BetMGM as the presenting sponsor.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 22-28 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Gambling in the USA

UNLV International Gaming Institute Announces 2025 ESPN Research Fellows

Published

4 weeks ago

September 17, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

unlv-international-gaming-institute-announces-2025-espn-research-fellows

Selected research projects will generate new insights into how responsible gambling messages are delivered and perceived in the rapidly evolving sports media landscape

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute (IGI) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 ESPN Research Fellowships. This year’s cohort features a group of scholars whose proposals will advance understanding of responsible gambling messaging in sports media and its implications for consumer well-being.

Fellowships recipients include:

Dr. Brandon Mastromartino, Director of the Institute on Sports Wagering and Gaming and Assistant Professor of Experiential Marketing at the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, San Diego State University. Dr. Mastromartino’s project will evaluate two of the NFL’s responsible gambling PSAs using a fan-centered marketing framework.
Dr. Chris R. Noland, Assistant Professor of Advertising at the University of South Florida’s Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications. Dr. Noland will examine the influence of celebrity endorsements and promotional inducements in Instagram advertisements on online sports betting behavior.
Dr. Ramon Silva Leite, Professor in the Postgraduate Program in Management at Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dr. Silva’s project will investigate how responsible gambling messages are constructed and delivered through sports media, and how young sports bettors perceive and respond to them.
Dr. Sarah Stokowski, Associate Professor of Athletic Leadership at Clemson University’s Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development. Dr. Stokowski will investigate how college student-athletes perceive and interact with sports betting content on social media.

These projects will provide important insights into practical strategies that policymakers and the industry can adopt to help safeguard the wellbeing of sports enthusiasts and the public at large.

“IGI is tremendously proud of the work our previous Fellowships produced. A key goal of this initiative is to support innovative and impactful research to better understand the rapidly changing global sports and betting environment,” said Dr. Kasra Ghaharian, Director of Research at IGI. “This research represents critical perspectives on how gambling is represented in sports media and holds important implications for all gambling stakeholders.”

“Responsible gaming continues to be a priority for ESPN, and we are proud to continue our collaboration with IGI to support research that delivers real-world impact,” said Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “These new projects will provide valuable insights into how responsible gaming messages can be delivered effectively across sports media and help strengthen standards that protect fans everywhere.”

Each research fellowship lasts six months. Research results will be featured in an IGI webinar in 2026.

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