Canada

Iowa’s online sportsbooks set to boom with expiration of in-person registration

Published

6 years ago

January 5, 2021

GamingAmericas.com

WITHOUT IN-PERSON REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT, IOWA’S ONLINE SPORTS BETTING MARKET POISED FOR DRAMATIC GROWTH

Requirements expired on Jan. 1, opening door for fresh boom, according to PlayIA.com analysts

(LAS VEGAS) — Iowa took a monumental step in its development as a sports betting industry on New Year’s Day with the expiration of the state’s in-person registration requirement to bet online, opening the door to exponential growth that should generate billions in annual wagers, according to analysts for PlayIA, which tracks Iowa’s legal sports betting and gambling industries.

“The in-person registration requirement has unquestionably stunted the growth of Iowa’s online sports betting market, which is the main engine in every state where it is legal,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIA.com. “With the requirement in place, Iowa would have never reached its potential as a market. Letting the requirement to expire is akin to correcting a mistake, and we expect Iowa to finally begin to blossom because of that correction.”

PlayIA analysts projected in 2019 that within five years Iowa would grow into a market that generated more than $4 billion in bets annually, more than $300 million a year in operator revenue, and more than $20 million a year in state taxes. But since launching in August 2019, Iowa has generated a total $682.6 million in wagers and $53.4 million revenue, according to official statistics. That has produced $3.7 million in state taxes.

Iowa’s start has unquestionably been muted by in-person-registration, which required that online bettors sign up in-person at a physical sportsbook.

Illinois launched earlier this year with an in-person registration requirement and then suspended it over the summer. The effect on that market was immediate. With just one operator, Illinois grew wagers to $52.5 million in July 2020 from $8.3 million in June 2020 and saw an immediate influx of 230,000 mobile sports betting accounts in the days after the state lifted in-person registration requirements, all as a slew of new operators launched.

In the months since, Illinois has grown to the fourth largest market in the U.S., generating $434.4 million in wagers in October 2020 alone.

“Illinois showed just how much drag in-person registration puts on a market,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayIA.com. “It was an uneven, unsure start, but almost as soon as the registration requirement was lifted the market embarked on an expansion that has been the most rapid in U.S. history.”

In November, Iowa ranked No. 7 among states where sports betting is legal with a state record $87.2 million in wagers. That still significantly lagged No. 6 Colorado, which has about twice the population as Iowa but attracted $231.2 million in November bets.

Home to some of the best-known brands in online sports betting, operators’ interest in the Hawkeye State has already increased. BetMGM, one of the largest operators in the U.S., launched on Monday. And more could come soon.

“With a fair tax rate and strong regulatory framework, Iowa was already an attractive market for operators,” Welman said. “This was the missing piece. With the in-person registration requirement now gone, Iowa can truly reach its potential as a sports betting market.”

For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Iowa, visit PlayIA.com/news.

Canada

PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino and theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino Standalone Apps in Alberta

Published

8 hours ago

July 17, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

penn-entertainment-launches-thescore-bet-sportsbook-&-casino-and-thescore-casino-and-hollywood-casino-standalone-apps-in-alberta

PENN Entertainment has announced the launch of theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino in Alberta, as well as theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino standalone apps, further expanding the Company’s Canadian online gaming footprint and bringing its leading digital gaming brands to players across the province. These apps are now available across Alberta on iOS, Android, and are also available on the web.

The Alberta launch marks the next chapter in theScore Bet’s continued growth in Canada, building on its success in Ontario. Players in Alberta can now enjoy the uniquely integrated sports media and betting experience from two of Canada’s most trusted brands, theScore and theScore Bet, bringing live scores, news, stats, and betting together in one connected ecosystem.

In addition to sports betting, theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino gives Alberta players access to a comprehensive online casino experience featuring hundreds of slots, table games, live dealer experiences, and exclusive games, including Blue Jays Blackjack.

Complementing theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino experience, PENN is also launching standalone Hollywood Casino and theScore Casino apps in Alberta. Hollywood Casino, a popular online and retail casino brand, delivers a casino-first experience featuring an extensive portfolio of slots, table games, and live dealer content. For players who prefer a dedicated casino app, theScore Casino offers the same premium gaming experience, providing additional choice alongside the all-in-one theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino app.

“Alberta has an incredible sports culture, and we’re excited to bring theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino to players across the province. Fans already know and trust theScore, and with theScore Bet, we’re extending that connection into a seamless sportsbook and casino experience. Whether you’re following your favorite team, placing a bet, or enjoying casino games, we’ve built the experience around the way fans naturally engage with sports. We commend the Alberta government for introducing a regulated online gaming market for private operators and look forward to serving fans in one of Canada’s great sports markets,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment.

Alberta customers can now enjoy:

• Same Game Parlays, player props, and live in-game betting.

• Seamless betting integration with theScore’s trusted sports news, scores, and data.

• Hollywood Casino’s extensive portfolio of slots, table games, and live dealer experiences, including Blue Jays Blackjack, the Dancing Drums series, and Sweet Bonanza series.

The post PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino and theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino Standalone Apps in Alberta appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

Play’n GO goes live in Alberta iGaming with 10+ operators

Published

21 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

play’n-go-goes-live-in-alberta-igaming-with-10+-operators

Supplier expands to its third regulated Canadian province after Ontario and Québec, launching on Alberta’s market opening week.

Play’n GO has entered the newly regulated Alberta iGaming market, launching its casino games with more than ten licensed operators on the market’s opening week, the supplier said on 16 July 2026.

The Alberta rollout marks Play’n GO’s third regulated Canadian province, following Ontario and Québec, and extends the company’s North American regulated-market footprint.

According to the company, its content was made available in Alberta for the first time on launch day via a network of licensed operators.

Esteban Perez, New Market Entry Lead at Play’n GO said: “Entering Alberta with more than 10 operators on day one of regulation is a significant milestone for Play’n GO and a testament to the strength of our regulated market strategy. Canada continues to be a key focus for us, and expanding into our third province reflects both the demand for our content and the strength of our partnerships with licensed operators.

“We are proud to support Alberta’s regulated market with a portfolio that prioritises entertainment, compliance and long-term sustainability.”

The post Play’n GO goes live in Alberta iGaming with 10+ operators appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

Play’n GO strengthens Canadian footprint with Alberta iGaming market entry

Published

21 hours ago

July 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-strengthens-canadian-footprint-with-alberta-igaming-market-entry

The Swedish gaming giant confirms its entry into its third regulated Canadian Province with its industry leading portfolio of games now available in Alberta for the first time

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, today announced its successful entry into the newly regulated Alberta iGaming market, with a wide range of its premium content going live with more than ten licensed operators on market launch day this week.

The milestone further reinforces Play’n GO’s commitment to regulated market expansion across North America and marks the company’s third Canadian province, following established operations in Ontario and Québec.

Play’n GO’s launch in Alberta ensures players have immediate access to a portfolio of world-class titles from day one of the market’s regulated opening. By partnering with a broad network of licensed operators at launch, the company has solidified its position as a trusted supplier in newly regulated jurisdictions.

The Alberta rollout builds on Play’n GO’s strong track record of working alongside regulators and operators to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality entertainment to players, while supporting sustainable market growth.

“We are proud to support Alberta’s regulated market with a portfolio that prioritises entertainment, compliance and long-term sustainability.”

To find out more about Play’n GO, please visit playngo.com

The post Play’n GO strengthens Canadian footprint with Alberta iGaming market entry appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.