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What the iGaming industry in the US can learn from the UK

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There can be no doubt that the iGaming market in the US represents an increasingly lucrative sector, and one that was worth an estimated $1.978 billion at the end of 2020.

What’s more, this is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.32% between 2021 and 2026, as the sports betting market continues to boom, and more states consider legalising online casino gameplay.

However, this market continues to face significant regulatory and legislative challenges, while it also lacks the maturity of its contemporaries in the west. But what lesson can it learn from the UK?

The Importance of Regulating Advertising

Through 2021, the UK Gambling Commission has made the safeguarding of vulnerable players its core strategic objective, and this has resulted in a number of regulatory measures and recommendations in Europe’s largest market.

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Interestingly, this has also compelled individual operators to take proactive steps in this regard, with a number of UK brands agreeing to a blanket, “whistle-whistle” advertising ban across all pre-watershed broadcasts in 2019.

This trend is commonplace throughout Europe, with Italy having banned all gambling advertising back in 2019 and the Spanish authorities unveiling new restrictions aimed at barring operators’ brands from appearing on football team’s shirts going forward.

Such measures should definitely pique the interest of US operators, especially as the nation’s iGaming market continues to grow at a rapid and exponential rate nationwide.

We will touch more on the concept of responsible gambling below, but there’s no doubt that this will become increasingly prevalent as a growing number of citizens are afforded access to sports betting markets and virtual casino verticals.

With this in mind, proactive US operators have a chance to steal a march on their rivals and become ambassadors for responsible gambling in the region, by creating a more considered approach to advertising (especially on mass channels like TV) and being particularly careful about the precise demographics that they target.

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Not only could this be crucial to the long-term function and profitability of the marketplace, but it could help operators to avoid the type of backlash that has been in the UK sector over the course of the last three years or so.

Make Responsible Gambling a Key Watchword

Of course, advertising represents just a single element of the responsible gambling landscape and developing a sensible marketing approach means little if this isn’t followed up in other disciplines throughout the business.

So, we would argue that operators and regulators in the US should proactively make responsible gambling a key watchword across the board, with this providing a broad framework in which they build their platforms and commercial offerings.

This is definitely the case in the UK, where operators almost compete to offer the best and most comprehensive responsible gambling tools to help vulnerable players. These are becoming increasingly tech led too, with the resources made available by the William brand Mr. Green best representing this evolution.

For example, this platform has introduced a relatively high-tech system that enables players to analyse their own gambling behaviour and wagering decisions in detail, while measuring this against the site’s own perception of how they play.

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Through the use of complicated algorithms, you subsequently gain access to bespoke dataset and are alerted to potentially problematic behaviour ahead of time.

There’s clearly a demand for this type of technology in the burgeoning US market, which is why we’re seeing so many domestic operators merge and collaborate with UK brands. This is definitely fulfilling a gap in the market, while helping to protect players and deliver a responsible gambling experience for all.

Understanding the Role of Comparison Sites

In order to help players identify the best and most reputable iGaming brands, the UK has seen a number of independent comparison sites spring up in recent times.

The established Mybettingsite.uk is one of the best examples of this, as the site provides a comprehensive list of UK casino brands that are ranked according to a diverse range of factors.

These include everything from an operator’s live welcome bonus and licensing information to their approach to responsible gambling, while you can also access authentic user reviews on the same site.

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This type of resource helps to create a sense of trust between players and individual casino brands, while enabling customers to make informed decisions about the brands that they partner with.

It should therefore be welcomed by operators, particularly in the online casino niche which is considerably less popular than sports betting stateside.

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Rivalry Reports Q1 2025 Results Highlighting Strengthened Unit Economics, Operating Leverage, and Strategic Progress

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Rivalry Corp., an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, announced financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”). All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Q1 2025 was the first full quarter operating under Rivalry’s restructured model, following a company-wide transformation that began in Q4 2024. This included a strategic shift toward high-value users, deep cost rationalization, significant product upgrades, and tighter execution across every layer of the business. The result is a streamlined, modernized operating model with materially improved performance and long-term leverage.

“This quarter marks the full emergence of Rivalry 2.0 – leaner, sharper, and structurally stronger,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “We’ve rebuilt the foundation of the business around high-efficiency acquisition, high-value users, and a proprietary product – and we’re already seeing the impact. Rivalry today is not just a leaner version of itself – it’s a fundamentally different company built for scalability.”

Key Highlights

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  • Net revenue of $1.3 million, consistent with the preliminary results announced on April 16, 2025. While temporary sportsbook margin variance impacted topline outcomes, underlying KPIs continued to improve and validate the strength of Rivalry’s rebuilt model.
  • Operating expenses decreased 58% year-over-year to $4 million in Q1 2025, down from $9.6 million in Q1 2024.
  • Net loss reduced by 43% to $3.0 million in Q1 2025 from $5.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • A meaningful portion of Q1 expenses were non-recurring or non-operational in nature, including annual audit costs, regulatory fees, and legacy payables from prior periods. The Company’s adjusted marketing spend during the quarter was approximately $175,000, materially lower than the reported figure due to these factors.
  • Average Customer Acquisition Cost payback across H1 2025 was approximately 1.5 months, reflecting improved funnel conversion, higher player value, and stronger retention – all achieved under constrained spend conditions.
  • Q2 2025 set new all-time records across key user economics1:
    • Net revenue per player increased 49% versus Q1 2025, and was 210% higher than the historical average prior to the Q4 2024 transformation.
    • Wagers per player rose 7% quarter-over-quarter, and nearly 300% above the pre-rebuild average.
    • Average monthly deposits per player in Q1 2025 were over 175% higher than the historical average. In Q2 2025, this increased a further 28%.
    • Monthly deposit frequency per player in Q1 2025 was up 115% over the historical average, and rose another 22% in Q2 2025.
  • Ongoing improvements in VIP identification, segmentation, and servicing, driven by Rivalry’s proprietary Business Intelligence (“BI”) tools and Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) infrastructure, further contributed to gains in deposit behavior and overall player value.

These improvements reflect the effectiveness of Rivalry’s strategic overhaul – including product modernization, in-house BI tooling, optimized segmentation, and CRM systems that support higher-value customer behavior and lifecycle retention.

Streamlined Operations

Rivalry’s breakeven net revenue is now approximately $600,000 USD per month, down from more than $2 million USD per month a year ago, based on current run rate operating expenses, with further cost optimizations planned in Q3 2025. The rebuilt business is operating on a structurally lower fixed-cost base with proven user economics and performance-ready infrastructure.

“We’ve created an operating model that is not only lean and disciplined, but also high-leverage,” Salz added. “This is a structurally better business than it was a year ago. The team is tighter, the product is stronger, and the KPIs are outperforming – all with limited capital deployment. The engine is rebuilt.”

Strategic Review & Outlook

Rivalry is actively exploring strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing shareholder value. As part of this ongoing process, the Company is also evaluating non-dilutive capital options as part of broader strategic initiatives to accelerate growth. These are intended to complement the broader review and enable Rivalry to fully capitalize on the performance capacity of its rebuilt model.

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As the Company progresses into H2 2025, key initiatives include:

  • Deployment of a new promo engine, enabling more dynamic and cost-efficient bonus structures.
  • Casino-led engagement mechanics, including lootboxes, missions, and summer campaigns to drive offseason activation.
  • Geographic reactivations and enhanced CRM, focused on high-value player segmentation and deeper lifecycle engagement.
  • Further operating cost reductions in Q3 2025, aimed at lowering the breakeven point and increasing flexibility.

Rivalry’s transformation over the past three quarters has positioned the business with a distinct set of structural advantages: a deeply aligned and experienced team, proprietary technology and BI systems, strong regulatory licenses in Ontario and the Isle of Man, and a globally recognized brand with demonstrated reach. These strengths now form the basis of a highly scalable and differentiated operator in the global online gambling market.

“Rivalry today is a high-performance engine – structurally rebuilt, road-tested, and positioned to scale,” said Salz. “We’re focused on unlocking the next chapter of growth, and the strategic review process is designed to support that path.”

The post Rivalry Reports Q1 2025 Results Highlighting Strengthened Unit Economics, Operating Leverage, and Strategic Progress appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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AGCO Updates Responsible Gambling Training Standards for Gaming and Lottery

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As of July 11, 2025, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) no longer requires Registrar approval for responsible gambling (RG) training programs for casino and lottery employees. This change applies to both the Gaming and Lottery Standards and supports a more flexible, outcomes-based approach.

What’s changing

• Standard 2.5 has been updated to remove the need for Registrar approval of RG training.

• Training must still be mandatory, regularly updated, and based on best practices.

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• Employees must understand responsible gambling, their role in player protection, and how to support those showing signs of gambling harm.

What this change means for operators and lottery retailers

• Casino and lottery operators now have more flexibility to design and update RG training.

• Existing PlaySmart training remains valid.

Why this change matters

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This change reduces red tape, encourages innovation, and maintains Ontario’s high standards for player protection. This also aligns with AGCO’s outcomes-based regulatory approach and brings greater consistency across gaming sectors, including iGaming.

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Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL

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ToonieBet, Soft2Bet’s premier sportsbook and online casino brand tailored for Canadian players, has been named both an Official Sports Betting Partner and an Official Online Casino Partner of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The multiyear partnership also establishes ToonieBet as an Official Partner of the CFL’s championship game, the Grey Cup. Fans from coast to coast to coast annually gather for Canada’s largest single-day sporting event to celebrate an incredible season, and to witness one team earn the right to hoist the iconic trophy. The 112th Grey Cup will be played at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, November 16.

Fans in Ontario aged 19-and-over will be able to responsibly wager on CFL games through ToonieBet with access to in-game betting and futures. The collaboration will also explore exciting branded online casino experiences on the ToonieBet platform to entertain existing fans and engage new ones.

ToonieBet’s partnership with the CFL underscores Soft2Bet’s ongoing commitment to Canadian sports fans and a further investment in the Canadian sporting tradition, as the deal marks Soft2Bet’s second sports partnership in the country within the last three months, following ToonieBet’s designation as the Official Online Casino Partner of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, which was recently expanded with a full sportsbook offering.

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“This partnership is for the fans. Together with ToonieBet, we will unlock exciting avenues of entertainment, delivering new products, responsible gaming options and unique activations, to better serve the future of fandom. In the stadium, at home or online, we’re doubling down on engagement and innovation like never before,” said Tyler Keenan, the CFL’s Chief Revenue Officer.

“Partnering with the CFL will elevate our robust offerings in the Canadian market and allow us to continue building our passionate sports and online gaming community in Ontario. Our team at ToonieBet is deeply committed to building a premium fan experience, while delivering exceptional customer hospitality and ensuring both responsible and safe game play,” said Steve Spindler, ToonieBet’s Canadian Country Manager.

“We are proud to partner with the CFL and its local teams. This partnership goes beyond visibility – it’s about building relevance and establishing a real connection with fans. Aligning with one of Canada’s most trusted leagues allows us to strengthen our bond with Ontarians and deliver a best-in-class sports betting and gaming experience through ToonieBet,” said Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer at Soft2Bet.

Additionally, ToonieBet has been designated as an Official Authorized Gaming Operator of the CFL, allowing Soft2Bet to deliver best-in-class gaming experiences with official CFL data and statistics to sports fans and sportsbook users across Ontario through the ToonieBet platform.

ToonieBet will also serve as the presenting partner of CFL Fantasy, and the Game Tracker in Ontario on CFL.ca and LCF.ca, in addition to being the CFL’s odds provider on the league’s digital scoreboard.

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The post Soft2Bet’s Brand ToonieBet Named an Official Sports Betting and Casino Partner of the CFL appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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