Gambling in the USA
Indiana Sportsbooks Launch New Year With Record January
Spurred by basketball, bettors pour more than $170 million in bets into Indiana’s online and retail sportsbooks, according to PlayIndiana.com analysts
Indiana retail and online sportsbooks capitalized on basketball to post a record January and continue to firm up the state’s position as the nation’s fourth-largest legal sports betting market. And with the state enjoying its role as the sports betting capital of the Midwest and new online sportsbooks opening in time for the close to the college basketball season, Indiana could begin to put heat on Pennsylvania to become the nation’s third-largest, according to analysts from PlayIndiana.com.
“Indiana has built an impressive infrastructure that continues to maximize the market’s potential,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “That should help keep the state a step ahead of its competition as neighboring states, such as Michigan, prepare for their own launches.”
Indiana’s $170.8 million handle in January was up 9.5% from the then-record $161.8 million in December, according to official reporting released Monday. Adjusted gross revenue from those bets was $12.9 million, up 9.3% from $12 million. That yielded $1.2 million in tax revenue for the state.
Interest in basketball was a catalyst in January, which also featured the NFL Playoffs and college football’s national championship game. Basketball boomed with $59.8 million in bets or 35% of the state’s handle. Football drew $36.7 million.
Online sportsbooks generated $123.4 million in bets in January. Online betting represented 72.2% of January’s handle, up from 69.5% in December. And more growth should come. PointsBet, BetIndiana, and BetMGM are all set for a February launch, bringing Indiana’s number of approved online sportsbook licensees to seven.
Indiana’s embrace of online betting, its near-monopoly of the Midwest, and close proximity to major out-of-state markets such as Chicago, have helped Indiana quickly position itself as the fourth-largest legal sports betting market in the U.S. While still well behind No. 3 Pennsylvania — a much larger state by the population that launched sports betting nearly one year ahead of Indiana — the Hoosier State is well-positioned for more short-term growth.
“Indiana has been remarkably progressive in the way it has managed its sports betting industry, rivaling New Jersey as the most forward-thinking legal jurisdiction,” Gouker said. “Early adoption of online betting, which has been atypical among states with legal sports betting, has been an enormous boost. And innovations such as allowing prop bets for the Super Bowl and opening the door to Oscars betting show Indiana is willing to take risks in opening new markets, which will serve the state well.”
The newcomers have a long way to catch market leader DraftKings, which operates under Ameristar Casino’s license. DraftKings posted a $66 million handle in January, down slightly from $66.7 million in December. That generated $4.6 million in gross receipts, down from $5 million. But FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino inched closer with a $49.5 million handle in January, up from $36 million. That resulted in a $1.9 million win, down from $2.2 million.
The market leaders were followed by:
- BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($7.8 million handle, down from $7.9 million; $590,178 win, down from $528,200)
- BetAmerica/Rising Star Casino ($89,622 handle, up from $2,129; $1,854 win, up from -$1,173)
Horseshoe Hammond’s proximity to Chicago continued to be a winner, leading the retail market with a $13.7 million January handle, up from $13.4 million in December. Those bets generated $1.8 million in gross receipts, up from $1.1 million. Horseshoe Hammond was followed by:
- Hollywood Lawrenceburg ($7.8 million handle in January, down from $8.9 million; $578,993 win, down from $824,235)
- Ameristar Casino ($7 million handle, down from $8.3 million; $1.4 million win, up from $928,211)
- Harrah’s Hoosier Park ($5.4 million handle, down from $5.7 million; $321,785 win, down from $441,112)
- Indiana Grand ($5 million handle, up from $4.6 million; $365,318 win, up from $208,275)
- Blue Chip Casino ($2.7 million handle, down from $4.2 million; $$279,868 win, up from $186,802)
- Tropicana Evansville ($2 million handle, even with December; $210,974 win, up from $185,176)
- Caesars Southern Indiana ($2.4 million handle, up from $1.6 million; $143,966 win, down from $170,884)
- French Lick Resort ($533,634 handle, down from $1.5 million; $14,132 win, up from $13,587)
- Belterra Casino ($934,724 handle, down from $948,810; $8,077 win, down from $151,640)
“Proximity to Chicago is still a critical advantage in the retail market, but that could change when Illinois launches retail betting, which could happen as early as March,” Gouker said. “FanDuel has made progress in the online market, but it can’t quite overcome DraftKings’ head start. But with new operators coming, the online market could be shaken up, too.”
For more revenue information on Indiana sportsbooks, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.
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
The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) will hold its 41st International Gaming Summit Monday, May 27 through Thursday, May 30, 2024 at The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. As a premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming.
Marker Trax, a leader in cashless payment solutions for the gambling industry, has announced the appointment of John Henderson as its SVP of operations. Henderson is a seasoned, energetic industry veteran who brings to Marker Trax more than four decades of success in delivering technology-based business solutions, leading innovation-forward companies seeking to increase their industry footprints and to solidify their market shares.
Jackpot Digital, a leading manufacturer of electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables, announced that it has successfully completed the installation of its Jackpot Blitz casino machines at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, located in Coarsegold, California.
Affinity Interactive has announced the appointment of Scott Butera as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Butera, who most recently led AI’s Sports Information Group (SIG) business, brings over 30 years of experience in gaming, hospitality, media, entertainment and sports to the pivotal role. In his new capacity, Mr. Butera will set strategy and oversee operations of the Company’s diversified portfolio of casinos resorts across Nevada, Missouri and Iowa.
North Star Network has acquired Um Dois Esportes, a sports coverage and analysis site created from the merger of Gazeta Do Povo and Tribuna do Paraná in 2020. NSN’s signing of Um Dois Esportes is the media house’s fourth acquisition of 2024, following the recent deals to purchase UK-based SportsMole and MrFixitsTips, as well as Chilean site AlAireLibre, which was announced in March.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown unveiled its new ESPN BET branded sportsbook and restaurant on the upper floor of the 100,000-square-foot Downtown Detroit casino. This sportsbook is the first ESPN BET branded retail location to open across PENN Entertainment’s (PENN) portfolio of properties.
Partnerships
Above the Felt, the leading poker and gaming marketing and talent agency, has announced a partnership with Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the grand opening of their state-of-the-art poker room this May. This collaboration marks a significant experiential poker event in the Mid-West US, bringing together top players, personalities and content creators with regional players for an unforgettable poker room grand opening.
SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm in the global gaming industry, has announced a strategic partnership with Comm100, a pioneer in AI-powered omnichannel communication. This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment in the gaming industry as it looks to revolutionise player engagement and customer support through personalised, 24/7 communication.
Betano and CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol), the Brazilian Football Confederation, announced a new partnership that will see Betano become the new main sponsor and exclusive betting partner of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Starting from the 2024 season, which began on Sunday, April 14, the competition will be known as Brasileirão Betano.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – April 22-28 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Gambling in the USA
Mohegan Digital Launches New Online Casino Experience in Pennsylvania: Play.MoheganPAcasino.com
Mohegan Digital, which is the iGaming division for Mohegan, fully launched a new online gaming experience in Pennsylvania. Play.MoheganPAcasino.com and associated mobile apps are now live and offering an advantageous sign-up bonus. Like all Mohegan Digital online gaming offerings, MoheganPAcasino.com has no shortage of thrilling slots, table games and more.
“This is an exciting moment for Mohegan Digital as we expand our very own online gaming brand to Pennsylvania, in close coordination with Mohegan Pennsylvania,” said Rich Roberts, president of Mohegan Digital. “Our growth with the MoheganSunCasino.com app in Connecticut and New Jersey continues to surpass expectations, as does our PlayFallsView app in Ontario, CA. To now have our fourth launch in the great state of Pennsylvania marks another great opportunity for Mohegan Digital!”
PA residents and visitors can now visit Play.MoheganPAcasino.com or download the MoheganPAcasino.com iPhone app on the App Store, or through Google Play for Androids users as well. Navigation to the new online casino experience is also available through MoheganPA.com.
Play.MoheganPAcasino.com offers players daily jackpots, along with more than 500 total games across Slots, Table Games and Live Dealer offerings. Some popular games at launch are Vegas Nights, BlackJack Diamond Series, Cash Machine, Wheel of Fortune PowerWedges, Cleopatra, Ultimate Fire Link, 88 Fortunes, Deal or No Deal Slingo, Live Dealer games, Baccarat and much more. By this summer, Mohegan Digital is expected to increase the total number of games to 700.
Additionally, Mohegan Pennsylvania’s popular Momentum program, which is a free to sign-up loyalty rewards program allowing members to earn perks, points, tournament invites and leveling up opportunities, will be synced in with online accounts later this spring as part of this exciting roll out of MoheganPAcasino.com. This means that whether guests are playing online or in person at the premier gaming destination in Pennsylvania (Mohegan PA), the benefits build in the same account.
“We’re dedicated to offering an unmatched online gaming platform in the fast-growing iGaming industry,” said Guy Greene VP of Marketing, Mohegan Digital. “Creating a fun, immersive and user-friendly experience, combined with reliability and great guest service are features that Mohegan Digital have become synonymous with, and we’re thrilled to bring it all to Pennsylvania.”
A rebrand of the on-site Sportsbook inside Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre, PA, which is currently known as the Unibet Sportsbook, will also soon take place. Located near the entrance of Mohegan PA, this popular venue which offers plenty of prop bets, same game parlays, futures and much more, will soon be known as the Mohegan Pennsylvania Sportsbook. Guests can stay tuned to moheganPA.com for details, as this rebrand will also take place at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s off-track wagering locations in Lehigh Valley and Allentown.
Nebraska’s first full-fledged, newly built and state-sanctioned gambling casino is slated to open in Columbus next month, marking a milestone in the state’s rollout of casino gambling.
The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission last Friday approved a target opening date of May 13 for Harrah’s Columbus.
“This is a big deal,” commission Chairman Dennis Lee said.
The state’s three other casinos are open, but in temporary facilities. According to construction schedules, all should be open by early next year.
“We’re definitely excited to open the first permanent casino in the state,” said Don Ostert, Harrah’s Columbus general manager.
The 17,000-square-foot casino floor will feature 400 slot machines and 11 live table games, including roulette and craps, Ostert said. It will feature a Brew Brothers restaurant and will offer Caesar’s sportsbook and racebook, Ostert said.
For racing fans, the complex will feature the state’s only 1-mile horse track, though racing isn’t scheduled to begin until August 16. By June, officials hope to have some horses out on the track to test the new surface.
Ostert said officials hope to draw customers from Norfolk and Grand Island, but also from Omaha and Lincoln.
Columbus Mayor James Bulkley said that, from the city’s standpoint, “we are very excited to see it get started and become part of the community.”
The developers incorporated some Columbus history into the casino, he said.
“The location where it is used to be called Wishbones, and it was a venue for years for entertainment, and so people recognize that name, and they have kept that name for the sports bar,” he said.
He expects the casino will draw from Omaha. Although driving to Columbus from downtown Omaha might take close to an hour and a half, the drive from west Omaha is more like an hour, he said.
“I can hit Elkhorn in a short hour today, which is now western Omaha,” he said.
In a few months, Omahans won’t have to leave town to visit a brand-new casino.
At Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, Warhorse Gaming officials are aiming to open their new casino in early August. It will open with 900 gaming positions, including table games and a Sweetwater Cafe.
The post Nebraska’s First Permanent Casino to Open in May in Columbus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Asia7 days agoIndonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling
-
Latest News7 days ago
NetBet Casino Joins Forces with Stakelogic
-
Brazil7 days ago
Kiron Interactive expands Brazilian presence with EstrelaBet partnership
-
Latest News7 days ago
NetBet Denmark joins forces with Wazdan
-
Baltics7 days ago
CT Interactive has concluded a key deal with Twinsbet.lt
-
Endorphina Press Releases7 days ago
Endorphina releases its newest title – Jolly Queen!
-
Balkans6 days ago
Wazdan marks Croatian market entry with PSK partnership
-
Africa6 days ago
Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering
