Gambling in the USA
INDIANA SPORTSBOOKS LOSE OUT ON $165 MILLION IN APRIL BETS
With retail sportsbooks shuttered and few events to draw bets, April could be low point, according to PlayIndiana.com
Indiana sportsbooks suffered their worst month ever in April — including a retail sector that did not produce a single bet — costing sportsbooks an estimated $165 million in bets, according to estimates from PlayIndiana.
With a minimized schedule of sports to bet on and casinos closed for the entire month, Indiana generated just $26.3 million in wagers, according to official reporting released Monday. During a month in which online and retail sportsbooks would have expected to draw at least $190 million in bets, April’s handle was down 64.8% from $74.8 million in March. That’s the lowest monthly handle ever for Indiana sportsbooks, which launched in October 2019 with $35.2 million in bets.
“April’s results are shocking, but not at all surprising,” said Dustin Gouker, chief analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Bettors have very few places to turn in Indiana. In some states, online casinos have driven significant revenue. But that isn’t possible in Indiana. So the industry’s results will continue to be grim until the sports world figures out a way to reopen.”
April’s wagers still produced $5.5 million in adjusted gross revenue, essentially even with March. That yielded $522,085 in tax revenue for the state.
Without legal online casino games and poker, and no esports betting, bettors in Indiana have largely been limited since mid-March to fringe international sports and futures betting. In fact, $21 million of the state’s handle was generated by “other” sports, far more than football, basketball, and baseball.
The NFL Draft, and to a lesser extent the WNBA Draft, gave bettors some reason to engage with sportsbooks in April. Indiana, the first state to allow betting on professional sports drafts, generated $1.3 million in football-related wagers in April, most of which came from the NFL Draft.
“The shut down of sports has led to some creativity by Indiana’s bookmakers, and that creativity was rewarded with interest in the NFL Draft,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Even though Indiana has missed out on some opportunities, regulators have at least been nimble enough to allow some unconventional ideas.”
There are reasons for cautious optimism. NASCAR is planning on revving up in May, which could draw betting interest. The PGA Tour is planning a June tee off while baseball and the NBA continue to search for a workable solution to restart their seasons. In addition, Indiana’s casinos and retail sportsbooks could open as early as June 14.
“It could be that April is the low point in what will undoubtedly still be a struggle until sports can resume with their regular schedules,” Gouker said. “If sports do resume relatively soon, online sportsbooks should recover quickly. In the meantime, sportsbooks will continue to look for creative ways to drive revenue.”
Because retail sportsbooks were shut down entirely in April—costing an estimated $40 million in in-person bets—online sportsbooks accounted for the entire handle in the state. DraftKings/Ameristar Casino led the market with $13.6 million in bets, up from $33.1 million in March. That generated $908,322 in gross receipts, down from $2.4 million. FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino was second with a $9.7 million handle, down from $21.6 million. That resulted in a $558,155 win, down from $1.5 million.
The market leaders were followed by:
- BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($2.1 million handle, down from $3.6 million; $116,726 win, down from $343,482)
- Hollywood Lawrenceburg/PointsBet ($449,638 handle, up from $334,237 handle; -$4,768 handle, down from $65,390)
- BetMGM/Belterra ($418,195 handle, down from $2.1 million; $48,043 handle, down from $370,669)
- BetAmerica/Rising Star Casino ($3,886 handle, down from $132,568; $3,519 win, down from $8,233)
The shutdown may have slowed the development of some sportsbooks apps, too. BetIndiana is still sorting through issues. And familiar brands such as William Hill, which operates a retail sportsbook at Tropicana Evansville, as well as Caesars, Fox Bet, and Unibet have yet to enter the market.
“The legacy of this shut down for the market could be in the way it has stunted its growth,” Welman said. “From lost revenue to less competition, the effects of this unprecedented shutdown will be felt well after sports resume.”
Powered by WPeMatico
Delaware North
Industry veteran joins North American operator as chief interactive gaming officer to drive growth in iCasino states and efficiencies in its online sportsbook
Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with a significant gaming division, has named industry veteran Lee Terfloth as chief interactive gaming officer as it pushes ahead with ambitious plans for its digital offering.
Terfloth has an impeccable track record across some of the biggest land-based and online gaming operators in North America, including Borgata, Resorts Digital, Hard Rock and, most recently, Prime Sports, where he was chief executive officer.
As chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, Terfloth will be responsible for two core objectives: Expanding the operator’s Betly mobile sportsbook and casino brand into additional iGaming states while also reviewing its sportsbook business to improve operational efficiency.
The appointment of Terfloth comes hot on the heels of news that Delaware North has chosen to migrate to Playtech’s powerful online sportsbook and casino platform in the states of Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Jason Gregorec, president of Delaware North’s gaming division, said:
“Lee Terfloth is a high-caliber senior iGaming executive who has played a key role in launching and growing interactive gaming divisions at some of the most established and renowned gambling operators in North America.
“We are delighted to be able to leverage this experience and knowledge as we ramp up our own online gaming division via our Betly brand, which has already gained traction in key online sports betting and iGaming states such as Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“I’d like to officially welcome Lee to the team and look forward to working with him as we deploy our ambitious plans for online gaming across regulated U.S. states,” Gregorec said.
Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer at Delaware North, added: “I’m thrilled to join Delaware North at a pivotal time for the business as it shifts up a gear with its activity in the online gaming space.
“Betly is an incredibly strong brand and now that we are migrating to the Playtech platform, we have the technological foundation to really level up our activity in terms of markets and the quality of the experience we offer to players.
“I have plenty of experience working with operators at this stage in their lifecycle and look forward to working with the incredible team we have in place to not only meet but exceed the goals the business has set for its interactive division,” Terfloth said.
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
PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, is spreading holiday cheer this season with the launch of an exciting new marketing campaign and the return of its popular Picksmas holiday promotional campaign. To kick things off, PrizePicks has unveiled a new commercial that features some of the internet’s biggest personalities, including Joe Budden, Druski, BigXThaPlug, Sketch and Spice Adams.
FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company in North America, announced the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s Atlantic City Expressway Pleasantville Toll Plaza, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s PATH commuter rail systemwide and PA SEPTA will offer free tolls and rides on December 18, 2024. In New Jersey, free tolls and rides will be given out through the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s Atlantic City Expressway Pleasantville Toll Plaza and throughout the PATH system.
The American Gaming Association announced the expansion of its “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.” Public service campaign with the introduction of a fifth pillar: “Keep Your Cool”. This new pillar reinforces the campaign’s mission to promote responsible sports wagering by emphasising athlete harassment is never appropriate. The announcement comes as data highlights the growing effectiveness of responsible gaming programmes across the country.
Resorts World Las Vegas announced the formation of a Board of Directors, with industry veteran Jim Murren as the Chairman, and the appointment of Alex Dixon as its CEO as a key part of the Company’s plan to deepen and strengthen its leadership. The new team, with a combined 130 years of experience in the gaming industry, will accelerate the Company’s growth strategy and continue its mission to remain Las Vegas’ premier resort destination for unmatched luxury and entertainment experiences and unforgettable moments.
Betski is set to launch its online casino ownership platform in Q1 2025, enabling users to earn casino profits through digital tokens. The system will allow anyone to receive a share of casino earnings without managing casino operations, marking a new chapter in the multi-billion-dollar iGaming industry. Supported by a $345,000 pre-seed funding round, the platform aims to democratise access to casino earnings and reshape the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry.
Partnerships
Aquimo Inc., a leader in mobile gaming technology for sports broadcasts and live events, has partnered with Sportsnet, Canada’s #1 sports network, to bring hockey fans a one-of-a-kind, new interactive mobile gaming experience. Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown – a brand-new, custom mobile game developed by Aquimo, launched on December 7 during Sportsnet’s live Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, giving fans across Canada a chance to compete in real-time multiplayer challenges and a month-long contest to win exclusive prizes, including a 2025 Hyundai Kona. This collaboration marks Aquimo’s first television broadcast partnership in Canada and a milestone in the company’s expansion into the market.
The pathways into Bucky’s Casino and Yavapai Casino in Prescott are brighter than ever now that JCM Global (JCM) has installed new outdoor LED marquee signs at each property. Bucky’s Casino guests are now greeted with a new single-sided Mitsubishi NXL 10mm stretching 14 feet wide by 7-and-a-half feet tall.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – December 9-15 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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 National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) has published a draft of its Model Internet Gaming Act. The proposal provides a model regulatory framework for US states considering the legalisation of online gaming. The document is open for public comment until December 31. The proposal suggests various policies for state legislators, regulators and other stakeholders to consider.
Bally’s Chicago Casino has won a 2024 Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. The award recognises Bally’s Chicago’s commitment to fair, honest and ethical business practices. The BBB’s Torch Award honours companies that demonstrate the highest level of ethical standards and trust with customers, business partners, shareholders and the communities in which they do business. This year, the award was presented to only seven businesses in the Chicago region. An independent panel of reviewers assessed applicants in four areas: character, culture, customer and community.
International Game Technology PLC announced that its new Powerbucks Blackjack game is now available to online players in multiple jurisdictions in Canada. The theme links to IGT’s Powerbucks omnichannel wide-area progressive jackpot prize pool, Canada’s largest jackpot connecting land-based, online and mobile games. Launched in 2016, IGT Powerbucks slots is the world’s first omnichannel WAP game that links the jackpot prize pool between gaming machines found in land-based casinos with digital-based games in Canada.
Partnerships
FanDuel announced a new partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) becoming an Official Sportsbook Partner and exclusive In-app Streaming Partner in the US. This collaboration offers hockey fans unmatched access to the PWHL, with FanDuel streaming up to 90 regular season PWHL games and playoffs live on the FanDuel app.
NGX announced a strategic partnership with StarSport. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for NGX in its expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean. With over 200 physical points of sale in the Dominican Republic, StarSport is recognised for its robust operations and strict compliance with local regulations. StarSport’s selection of NGX as its platform provider highlights the company’s ability to offer certified and flexible technology tailored precisely to the dynamic needs of the Dominican market.
Scientific Games signed a new technology contract with the North Dakota Lottery to implement the company’s most advanced omnichannel system solutions. The Lottery selected Scientific Games’ integrated solution to power retail and digital sales following a competitive process, awarding the global lottery company a new six-year contract with a two-year extension option. As the industry’s fastest-growing systems provider, SG has successfully executed nearly 40 lottery systems implementations and conversions since 2016.
BetMGM announced a new partnership with Push Gaming. The first phase of the partnership brings some of Push Gaming’s top slot titles to BetMGM Casino in Ontario. In 2025, pending regulatory approval, BetMGM will be the exclusive partner for Push Gaming in the US. Some of Push Gaming’s most popular slots, including Retro Tapes, Big Bamboo, Razor Returns and Wild Swarm 2 are now available at BetMGM Casino and Wheel of Fortune Casino in Ontario, with more top titles arriving soon.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – December 2-8 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Asia7 days agoGovernment support, medals, and global recognition define a landmark year for Indian esports and video gaming in 2024
-
AGCO7 days ago
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
-
Australia5 days ago
AUSTRAC Takes Ladbrokes and Neds’ Operator – Entain – to Federal Court Over Serious Non-compliance with Australia’s Money Laundering Laws
-
Australia6 days ago
Christine Howlett Appointed as New Commissioner of NSW Independent Casino Commission
-
Africa6 days ago
Altenar obtains National Manufacturer licence in South Africa
-
Balkans7 days ago
Spinomenal strikes partnership with Admiral Croatia
-
Aposta Ganha7 days ago
TaDa Gaming Celebrates Further Brazilian Certification Across its Portfolio
-
Balkans6 days ago
Evoplay joins forces with Slotino to expand Bulgarian reach
