Latest News

Indiana sportsbooks Make Huge Leap to $460M in October

Published

4 years ago

November 16, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Indiana sportsbooks shattered the state record for betting volume for the second consecutive month by handling more than $460 million in October.

The surge in betting brought on in part by the year’s first full month of football also made Indiana just the fifth state to reach $5 billion in lifetime sports wagers, according to PlayIndiana, which tracks the state’s gaming industry.

“Five full weekends of the NFL and college football, the opening of the NBA season, and baseball’s postseason gave sportsbooks a rare convergence of betting inventory in October. To surpass the previous record by so much shows an increasing base of bettors, too. It’s hard to imagine a better start to the football season than what has happened in the last two months,” Jake Garza, an analyst for PlayIndiana.com, said.

Online and retail sportsbooks drew $461.1 million in October, easily surpassing September’s record handle of $355.4 million by 29.7%, according to official reporting released Friday. October’s handle was also up 99.7% from $230.9 million in October 2020. Bettors increased the pace of betting to $14.9 million per day over the 31 days of October from $11.8 million per day in September and $7.4 million in October 2020.

Despite the surge in betting, gross revenue fell 16.4% to $27.8 million from the record of $33.3 million set in September. Year-over-year, revenue was up 10.9% from $25.1 million in October 2020. October’s win created $27.6 million in taxable revenue, yielding $2.6 million in state taxes.

With five weekends of games, football betting jumped 18.4% to $175.8 million in October from $148.6 million in September. The opening of the NBA season led to significant action, too, jumping to $53.5 million in basketball betting from just $5.2 million in September. Parlay betting also rose to $127.6 million from $92.0 million.

The record month pushed Indiana into some rarified air among legal sports jurisdictions, joining New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois as the only states to generate a handle of more than $450 million in a month, more than $5 billion in lifetime legal sports betting, and more than $400 million in lifetime gross revenue.

Since launching in 2019, Indiana sportsbooks have generated $5.1 billion in wagering, $412.5 million in gross revenue and $78.3 million in tax revenue.

“No state has capitalized on its potential as a sports betting market better than Indiana. As impressive as some of these records have been, it is also important to remember that Indiana as a market still hasn’t fully matured,” said Eric Ramsey, an analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayIndiana.com.

Online betting drew $411.9 million in wagers, or 89.3% of October’s total handle. DraftKings led online operators in October with a $150.7 million handle, up from $130.4 million handle in September. Last month’s bets created $7.8 million in gross receipts, up from $7.2 million in September. FanDuel was next with $113.3 million in online wagering, up from $77.2 million in September. Those bets produced a state-best $9.2 million in gross receipts.

Digital Games

Scientific Games Partners with LEIA to Drive Digital Innovation Across European Lotteries

Published

7 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

scientific-games-partners-with-leia-to-drive-digital-innovation-across-european-lotteries

Scientific Games has strengthened its position in the European digital lottery market after being selected as a strategic digital partner by the Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance (LEIA). The alliance brings together five of Europe’s most prominent lottery operators: Danske Spil (Denmark), FDJ United (France), Norsk Tipping (Norway), Svenska Spel (Sweden), and Veikkaus Oy (Finland).

The partnership positions Scientific Games at the center of LEIA’s mission to accelerate digital transformation across member lotteries. By fostering collaboration and shared innovation, LEIA aims to enhance digital growth, strengthen market positions, and ensure responsible engagement with modern and younger adult audiences.

According to Morten Eriksen, CEO of LEIA, innovation is a cornerstone of the alliance’s strategy. The selection of Scientific Games reflects LEIA’s commitment to developing digital experiences that align with evolving consumer expectations while maintaining responsible gaming standards. Through this collaboration, LEIA seeks to balance technological advancement with social responsibility, a growing priority for European lottery operators.

Formed as a shared innovation platform, LEIA enables its members to access a collective marketplace for digital games and services. This structure allows participating lotteries to benefit from improved scalability, faster time-to-market, and reduced development costs through shared resources and purchasing power. The alliance model is designed to streamline operations while encouraging creativity and experimentation in digital lottery content.

Under the newly signed two-year agreement, Scientific Games will deliver digital game projects aligned with LEIA’s strategic initiatives. As the world’s largest creator and supplier of lottery games, Scientific Games will also provide localized digital titles from its extensive portfolio of more than 270 premium games developed by SG Studios. In addition, the company will design bespoke digital games tailored to the unique preferences and regulatory environments of individual LEIA markets.

Matt Lynch, President of Digital at Scientific Games, highlighted the long-standing relationship between the company and LEIA’s member lotteries. He emphasized that the expanded partnership will support lotteries in reaching new audiences, enhancing engagement, and shaping the future of digital lottery entertainment across Europe.

Through this collaboration, LEIA will gain access to Scientific Games’ expansive library of over 100 licensed brands, alongside a growing catalog of digital instant games distributed via the SG Content Hub. This platform connects innovative third-party studios with lottery operators worldwide, expanding content diversity and accelerating innovation. Studios such as Random State, BWLoto EHF, and Harman Connected Services GmbH have also been selected as part of the LEIA collaboration, further enriching the alliance’s digital ecosystem.

Scientific Games currently serves more than 30 iLottery customers globally, delivering advanced digital solutions including CRM systems, loyalty programs, promotions, mobile and web applications, and second-chance initiatives. With operations spanning 150 lotteries in 50 countries, the company continues to play a pivotal role in shaping both retail and digital lottery experiences worldwide.

The partnership with LEIA underscores Scientific Games’ commitment to driving digital innovation at scale while supporting responsible growth in the European lottery sector.

The post Scientific Games Partners with LEIA to Drive Digital Innovation Across European Lotteries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Scientific Games Enters Digital Collab with Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance

Published

7 hours ago

January 20, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

scientific-games-enters-digital-collab-with-lotteries-entertainment-innovation-alliance

Company Will Deliver Digital Game Projects to European Lotteries Group LEIA

Scientific Games has been selected as a digital partner to Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance (LEIA), a collaboration between five leading European lotteries: Danske Spil in Denmark, FDJ United in France, Norsk Tipping in Norway, Svenska Spel in Sweden and Veikkaus Oy in Finland.

“LEIA is an international collaboration between lotteries sharing the same goal to foster open innovation, strengthen market position and boost digital growth locally” said Morten Eriksen, CEO of LEIA. “Our focus on innovation has naturally led to the selection of Scientific Games as our digital partner. We support digital development that meets modern customer expectations, including younger adult audiences in a responsible way.”

LEIA was formed to help its partner lotteries accelerate digital innovation by creating a shared marketplace for relevant games and services. The alliance aims to increase operational efficiency and scalability, enabling each lottery to launch new content faster while reducing costs through collective purchasing power and shared development.

Under the new two-year agreement, Scientific Games—the world’s largest creator and provider of lottery games—will deliver digital games projects to LEIA based on strategic initiatives determined by the Alliance. Scientific Games will also offer localized games from its portfolio of more than 270 premier digital titles developed by SG Studios, and develop bespoke games tailored to specific LEIA markets.

“Scientific Games is a long-time, trusted business partner to the individual lotteries in the alliance, providing a broad portfolio of products and services. We’re thrilled to further extend our collaboration through this strategic digital partnership with LEIA, helping these lotteries expand their reach, engage new audiences and continue shaping the future of lottery entertainment,” said Matt Lynch, President of Digital for Scientific Games.

Through the partnership, LEIA will gain access to Scientific Games’ portfolio of more than 100 licensed brands, as well as a growing library of digital instant games created by partner studios made available through the company’s SG Content Hub, which connects innovative studios and their content to lotteries around the world.

Lynch added, “Scientific Games congratulates our game studio partners, Sweden-based Random State, BWLoto EHF and Harman Connected Services GmbH, who have also been selected for this LEIA collaboration.”

Serving more than 30 iLottery customers globally, Scientific Games offers world-leading digital programs including CRM, loyalty, promotions, second-chance, mobile and web applications. The company provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide, offering entertaining game content featuring the largest portfolio of licensed brands in the lottery industry.

The post Scientific Games Enters Digital Collab with Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

EMEA ESPORTS

MOVEMBER TEAMS UP WITH RIOT GAMES EMEA ESPORTS

Published

15 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

movember-teams-up-with-riot-games-emea-esports

TLDR:

Movember is partnering with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, and Game Changers EMEA Championship as the Official Mental Health Partner, supporting players, team staff and the wider community for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Date: January 20, 2026 [London]

What you need to know:

Riot Games and Movember announce a multi-year partnership focused on embedding mental health and wellbeing into the EMEA esports ecosystem.
The partnership will integrate mental health and wellbeing frameworks, support systems, and initiatives across the leagues.
Movember will provide tools and resources to better manage competitive pressure, build healthier habits, and be encouraged to discuss mental health openly.
Planned initiatives for the upcoming year include mental health training for players and staff, and player-only roundtables on stress and coping strategies, with a view to use this to cascade content and guidance to the wider esports community.
Movember will share messaging on the broadcasts and on-site during events that highlight the importance of mental health and help reduce the stigma around honest discussions and seeking help when needed.
Together, Movember and Riot Games aim to make the gaming environment a healthier environment for all.

Quote from Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA:

“Supporting the wellbeing of the VCT EMEA community, our players, and team staff is something we are committed to strengthening, so we’re thrilled to welcome Movember as a partner. While supporting open conversations and ensuring our players know trusted resources are available is a priority, this partnership also helps raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing across the wider VCT EMEA community. Movember’s expertise will help normalize these discussions beyond the competitive stage, and provide the tools so everyone connected to our ecosystem feels supported by professionals committed to making a positive impact.”

Quote from Maximilian Peter Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports, EMEA

“Partnering with Movember allows us to take our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our players and teams to the next level. We want our community to feel empowered to speak openly about the challenges they face and know resources are available if needed. Gaming should be a safe and healthy space for everyone, and this partnership will help us ensure that the environment is maintained and strengthened.”

Quote from Dan Cooper, Global Director, Innovations at Movember:

“Movember is committed to bring community first solutions to today’s most urgent mental health challenges. Esports is a focus area for our work in mental health, and by working with Riot Games we aim to have a real impact and drive positive change in esports.”

The post MOVEMBER TEAMS UP WITH RIOT GAMES EMEA ESPORTS appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.