Canada
COVID-19 Causes 79% Year-Over-Year Drop in Q2 Commercial Casino Gaming Revenue
Record Start to 2020 Provides Strong Foundation for Gaming’s Recovery
U.S. commercial gaming revenue for the second quarter of 2020 totaled $2.30 billion, a steep 78.8 percent year-over-year contraction, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) new Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. gaming industry saw revenue decline in nearly every reported vertical compared to Q2 2019.
“COVID-19 has undoubtedly posed the most difficult economic challenge the gaming industry has ever faced,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Yet, gaming’s record popularity prior to COVID-19, as well our resilience in the midst of such adversity, is evidence of the industry’s foundation for continued success as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Contrary to recent revenue declines, commercial casinos demonstrated strong consumer demand in 2020 when open for business. Before all 989 U.S. brick-and-mortar casinos closed their doors in March, combined commercial gaming revenue for January and February was up 10.4 percent year-over-year. Following the return of casino gaming in Q2, several states have reported a year-over-year uptick in average daily GGR per open casino despite operating with limited capacity, game availability, and amenities. This includes South Dakota (+42.5%), Ohio (+19.3%), and Indiana (+7.4%).
While April and May both experienced year-over-year GGR declines north of 90 percent, June saw nearly 300 commercial casinos reopen throughout the month and, as a result, revenue was nearly four times greater than the previous two months combined. More than 85 percent of U.S. casinos are now open, including nearly 9 in 10 commercial casinos, all of which have implemented stringent, regulator-approved health and safety plans. “The gaming industry has been a leader in implementing rigorous, innovative protocols that have allowed the vast majority of our properties to reopen and stay open,” continued Miller. “With business returning to casino floors and sportsbooks seeing increased action, the gaming industry is steadily charting a responsible path to recovery that prioritizes health and safety, supports the communities where we operate, and offers first-class entertainment.”
Sports betting experienced a sharp decline in GGR in the second quarter due to the shutdown of sports activity, but is still up slightly (4.1%) in the first half of 2020 as a result of a record start to the year and increased legal options.
iGaming, the only gaming vertical to experience year-over-year growth in Q2 2020, marked the first full quarter generating more revenue than sports betting in the post-PASPA era. Online casino gaming is only legal in six states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Nevada (poker only), New Jersey, Michigan (not live), and West Virginia.
AGA’s reporting on the financial performance of the U.S. commercial casino industry will continue on a quarterly basis as the association tracks the industry’s economic recovery. Monthly updates will be available on AmericanGaming.org.
Background About the Report
AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker provides state-by-state and cumulative insight into the U.S. commercial gaming industry’s financial performance based on state revenue reports. The first issue highlights second quarter results, ending June 30 (Q2 2020), and year-to-date comparisons.
About the AGA
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs nationwide. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers, and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.
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Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation
Play Alberta, CSEC Extend Partnership
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Teams under the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) banner have expanded their long-term partnership with Play Alberta, the provinceâs premier iGaming destination. As part of the agreement, the Flames will feature AGLCâs responsible gambling program, GameSense, on their home helmets and a Play Alberta insignia displayed on their home jerseys. The Stampeders, Wranglers, and Roughnecks will integrate the Play Alberta logo onto their uniforms.
âThereâs significant importance now to showcase meaningful responsible gambling efforts in the iGaming industry. Iâm proud of our initiatives to provide GameSense with such a visible platform. GameSense promotes healthy gambling habits online and in person and including AGLCâs responsible gambling platform over the course of this partnership is a huge accomplishment,â Kandice Machado, Chief Executive Officer at AGLC.
The agreement makes Play Alberta the exclusive sports betting and online gaming partner of the Flames, Wranglers, Stampeders, and Roughnecks. Through the partnership, Play Alberta and CSEC will develop unique partnerships and in-arena giveaways during the season.
âThrough GameSense, our partnership with Play Alberta equips our fans with the knowledge required if they wish to participate in gaming while they support their home team. We are both proud and excited to extend our relationship with Play Alberta that makes cheering for our teams that much more fun while also generating revenue to support the quality of life for Albertans,â said CSEC President and CEO Robert Hayes.
Alberta is the first jurisdiction in North America to partner with professional sports franchises and integrate PlayAlberta.ca and social responsibility branding onto uniforms. It upholds AGLCâs commitment to responsible play, raising awareness of GameSense and Self-Exclusion, resources that give bettors the tools they need to make healthy gambling choices.
In addition, proceeds generated through the website go toward the provinceâs General Revenue Fund. In 2023â24, $235 million was generated for programs and services that Albertans rely on every day through Play Alberta, an increase of more than $42 million from the previous year.
BCLC
BCLC Partners with CFL as Official Sports Betting Partner in British Columbia
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The Canadian Football League (CFL) and British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have partnered to make BCLCâs online sportsbook â PlayNow Sports â the official sports betting partner of the 111th Grey Cup. BCLC, the only legal gaming operator in the province, is the newest Authorized Gaming Operator to partner with the league. The partnership builds upon BCLCâs commitment to football in the province â as both a longstanding supporter of the BC Lions and as an enthusiastic proponent of bringing the Grey Cup to Vancouver.
âBCLC is immensely proud to have PlayNow Sports as the official sports betting partner for the 111th Grey Cup. As a social-purpose company, BCLC works every day to generate win-wins for the greater good and serve in the best interests of the communities we call home. Weâre thrilled to help bring together BC Lions and CFL fans from across the country in the spirit of celebration and community at this yearâs Grey Cup Festival,â said Dan Beebe, BCLCâs Chief Operations Officer.
In celebration of Canadaâs largest single-day sporting event returning to B.C. for the first time since 2014, the CFL and BCLC are holding a special contest for fans in B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Grand Prize consists of two tickets to the championship game, two Grey Cup Festival passes, travel, accommodation, $500 in PlayNow Sports free bets and more.
âResponsible sports wagering, and the entertainment it provides, is an important part of the future of CFL fandom. Our work with BCLC allows fans to deepen their connection to the league, but more importantly, it strengthens our efforts to support British Columbians and the community through the valued programs and services they rely on every day,â said Tyler Keenan, the CFLâs Chief Revenue Officer.
The CFLâs province-specific Authorized Gaming Operator program works with partners to authenticate and regulate the leagueâs sports betting landscape. In 2023, the league complemented its existing wagering policies and by-laws with an enhanced Match Manipulation Policy. It is highlighted by an annual education component for all full- and part-time CFL personnel, including players, regarding their individual roles and responsibilities in supporting the leagueâs high standards for integrity and responsible gaming practices. All CFL personnel are strictly prohibited from wagering on league activities.
Canada
Goldrush Expands to Ontario with Delasportâs Turnkey Solution
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South Africaâs premium online gaming and entertainment provider, Goldrush Gaming, is expanding to Ontario, Canada, powered by Delasportâs full turnkey solution and managed services. The partnership is another key step in both Delasportâs steady positioning in the key Canadian jurisdiction and Goldrushâs streak of cross-vertical success in iGaming.
The award-winning supplierâs solution is designed to accommodate all Online Sportsbook and Casino needs, and Goldrushâs players in Ontario will soon enjoy the most innovative Casino and Sportsbook features in the industry. These features include player engagement tools such as SuperPot, missions and tournaments, unmatched personalization capabilities with My Sportsbook, My Casino, My Combo, and My Event Builder, Booster Panel for mobile devices, and Hot & Cold Casino game categories, and much more.
âPartnering with established brands such as Goldrush in Ontario is an honor and confirms that weâre on the right track with a third partner in this market, in turn validating our global expansion strategyâ, comments Delasportâs Global Sales Director Reece Calderbank. âIn the hands of partners like Goldrush, the quality and innovation our products provide to customers will enable Goldrushâs talented team to offer the best betting experience in the market to their players.â
Goldrush Online Director Dwain Powell shares this sentiment. âGoldrushâs legacy of premier gaming will offer Canadian players a diverse, rewarding entertainment experience. We are excited to extend our product and services to the Canadian market and believe that Delasport is the perfect partner to achieve our goals â all while bringing customers a unique and memorable gaming productââ.
Goldrush Group Canada is a branch of the esteemed Goldrush Gaming Group, which was established in South Africa over 25 years ago.
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