Canada
Payments crucial to ongoing growth of US online sports-betting market
Paysafe research reveals that streamlined payouts and alternative payment methods are critical to the market’s success in 2021
Quickly and easily receiving payouts of winnings is the most important factor for U.S. sports bettors when selecting an online sportsbook, and prioritized by 37% of players, according to research released today by Paysafe, a leading integrated payments platform. The latest All the Ways Players Pay report also suggests that offering digital wallets and other alternative payment methods allows sportsbooks to overcome the challenge of card declines.
Based on a consumer survey commissioned by Paysafe in December 2020 in eight regulated iGaming markets – Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia –the research reveals the paramount importance of streamlined frictionless payments to the market’s future success. When choosing an online brand, players are prioritizing fast payouts, and considering this more important than: brand reputation (32%), promotions (28%), competitive odds (27%), and sports markets offered (11%).
Getting payouts right also appears fundamental to customer retention, with 79% of sports bettors left with a negative impression of an online sportsbook if they wait longer than expected to receive funds after making a withdrawal.
Players’ focus on payouts comes amidst a broader online shift in the U.S. gaming space galvanized by COVID-19. Over two thirds of sports bettors (68%) agree that the pandemic has made them more comfortable with wagering online. Their experience appears very positive, with 61% planning to bet online more frequently in 2021.
Despite strong expected market growth, significant challenges remain in the sector such as customers’ credit and debit cards transactions being declined when they attempt deposits. And this number seems to be growing, with 14% of sports bettors consistently incurring card declines compared to the 10% reported in the inaugural All the Ways Players Pay report of January 2019, suggesting the issue is arguably getting worse.
Card declines inevitably impact a brand’s customer retention and, ultimately, acquisition. Close to half of players (47%) would blame the sportsbook directly for a decline, 45% would leave the brand due to persistent card declines, and 65% would not recommend the sportsbook to peers.
Players’ immediate behavior when faced with a card decline, however, indicates the value of alternative payment methods in helping a sportsbook overcome this challenge. While a card decline would drive 19% of players to leave the sportsbook, 73% would continue to attempt a transaction, with a digital wallet the preferred payment method of choice (35%). One out of ten (8%) would use eCash.
The broader value to operators of alternative payments, and digital wallets especially, is indicated by analyzing high-volume bettors (those who bet more than 7 times a week). While a credit or debit card is the preferred payment method of all players (29%), when focusing exclusively on high-volume bettors, this shifts to digital wallets (favored by 35%).
The ability of digital wallets to move funds quickly and easily between multiple sportsbook accounts appears to be the rationale for this preference, with 84% of such players considering this important when wagering.
eCash is the other major alternative payment method helping operators to meet player needs. Confidence in the security of online transactions is improving, with 64% of sports bettors saying they are more confident in making a deposit than they were a year ago, though concerns remain. And operators may be able to reassure such concerns with a payment offering that includes an eCash solution, which negates the need to share bank account or card details online, with 54% considering this the most secure payment method.
Philip McHugh, Paysafe’s CEO, commented: “Since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court repeal of the federal ban on sports betting, the market has shown incredible growth, most recently in the online and mobile space during the COVID-19 pandemic. Against the backdrop of additional states regulating iGaming, our research indicates that the online market will continue to expand in 2021 and beyond – and payments will play a critical role in helping operators drive that growth.
He added: “Payments is a fundamental consideration when players choose and stay with a sportsbook, so it’s vital that operators and the wider market streamline how players deposit, wager, and receive winnings as a result. Card declines remain a significant issue, and as industry stakeholders work to address this, operators can leverage digital wallets and eCash to provide players with alternatives that complete their payment offerings.”
Visit Paysafe’s iGaming page for more information on how the company serves the industry.
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Supplier content is already live on BetMGM in Ontario, with Party Casino & Sports Interaction lined up ahead of Alberta’s July iGaming opening.
Gaming Corps has expanded its partnership with Entain, extending distribution of its casino content across more Entain brands and markets, with Canada positioned as a key near-term focus.
The supplier went live with Entain’s joint venture BetMGM in Ontario in December 2025, followed by a wider Entain rollout in the province in March 2026. Gaming Corps and Entain are also preparing for Alberta’s regulated iGaming market opening in July, with Gaming Corps content “ready to go live from day one with BetMGM” and Party Casino & Sports Interaction to follow.
Outside Canada, Gaming Corps said it completed a full content launch in Brazil with Sportingbet and Betboo in May, and launched 3 Pigs of Olympus exclusively across Entain’s UK-facing Ladbrokes, Coral Gala and Foxy brands in June. The company also said additional launches are being prepared for Portugal, Spain and New Zealand.
The latest phase includes football-themed titles such as Penalty Champion, Goals to Glory: Football Fever and Goals to Glory: Instant Blitz, alongside the supplier’s 3 Pigs IP. Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “For Gaming Corps, this is a huge milestone. Entain is one of the biggest names in global gaming, so to see our relationship grow in this way is a clear sign of the trust, performance and commercial value we have built together.
“What makes this particularly exciting is the scale of the opportunity. This is not a single-brand launch or a one-market rollout. Entain is continuing to take Gaming Corps content into more territories, across more of its brands, and that says a lot about where we are as a business.
“We have worked hard to build a portfolio that gives major operators real flexibility, from high-performing IP to timely, event-led content and new game formats. To see that strategy being recognised by a partner of Entain’s calibre is incredibly rewarding, and we are very excited about what comes next.”
Obdulio Bacarese, Global Gaming Director at Entain, added: “Gaming Corps has been a valuable partner over the last four years. The strength of the relationship lies in how easily the content can be activated around different commercial priorities, from supporting new market entries to adding timely releases around key calendar moments. The studio understands the need for content that is flexible, relevant and easy to position locally, and we are pleased to continue building on the partnership.”
The post Gaming Corps expands Entain deal with Ontario live and Alberta launch planned appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gaming Corps, a publicly listed game development company based in Sweden, has expanded its partnership with Entain, one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, marking the latest phase of a relationship that began with the companies’ original partnership agreement in 2022 and now spans multiple Entain brands.
Canada is a major focus for the extended partnership. Gaming Corps went live with Entain’s Joint Venture, BetMGM in Ontario in December 2025, followed by a wider Entain rollout in the province in March 2026. Both are now preparing for the opening of Alberta’s regulated iGaming market in July, with the studio’s content ready to go live from day one with BetMGM and Party Casino & Sports Interaction following shortly after.
The partnership has also continued to grow internationally, with Gaming Corps completing a full content launch in Brazil with Sportingbet and Betboo in May of this year, followed by the exclusive launch of 3 Pigs of Olympus across Entain’s UK-facing Ladbrokes, Coral Gala and Foxy brands in June.
Additional market launches in Portugal, Spain and New Zealand are also being prepared.
The latest phase includes a mix of Gaming Corps’ most recognisable content, from football-themed titles such as Penalty Champion, Goals to Glory: Football Fever and Goals to Glory: Instant Blitz, to the studio’s high-performing 3 Pigs IP.
Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “For Gaming Corps, this is a huge milestone. Entain is one of the biggest names in global gaming, so to see our relationship grow in this way is a clear sign of the trust, performance and commercial value we have built together.
“What makes this particularly exciting is the scale of the opportunity. This is not a single-brand launch or a one-market rollout. Entain is continuing to take Gaming Corps content into more territories, across more of its brands, and that says a lot about where we are as a business.
“We have worked hard to build a portfolio that gives major operators real flexibility, from high-performing IP to timely, event-led content and new game formats. To see that strategy being recognised by a partner of Entain’s calibre is incredibly rewarding, and we are very excited about what comes next.”
Obdulio Bacarese, Global Gaming Director at Entain, added: “Gaming Corps has been a valuable partner over the last four years. The strength of the relationship lies in how easily the content can be activated around different commercial priorities, from supporting new market entries to adding timely releases around key calendar moments. The studio understands the need for content that is flexible, relevant and easy to position locally, and we are pleased to continue building on the partnership.”
The post Gaming Corps expands Entain partnership with major Canadian rollout appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gaming Corps, a publicly listed game development company based in Sweden, has expanded its partnership with Entain, one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, marking the latest phase of a relationship that began with the companies’ original partnership agreement in 2022 and now spans multiple Entain brands.
Canada is a major focus for the extended partnership. Gaming Corps went live with Entain’s Joint Venture, BetMGM in Ontario in December 2025, followed by a wider Entain rollout in the province in March 2026. Both are now preparing for the opening of Alberta’s regulated iGaming market in July, with the studio’s content ready to go live from day one with BetMGM and Party Casino & Sports Interaction following shortly after.
The partnership has also continued to grow internationally, with Gaming Corps completing a full content launch in Brazil with Sportingbet and Betboo in May of this year, followed by the exclusive launch of 3 Pigs of Olympus across Entain’s UK-facing Ladbrokes, Coral Gala and Foxy brands in June.
Additional market launches in Portugal, Spain and New Zealand are also being prepared.
The latest phase includes a mix of Gaming Corps’ most recognisable content, from football-themed titles such as Penalty Champion, Goals to Glory: Football Fever and Goals to Glory: Instant Blitz, to the studio’s high-performing 3 Pigs IP.
Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “For Gaming Corps, this is a huge milestone. Entain is one of the biggest names in global gaming, so to see our relationship grow in this way is a clear sign of the trust, performance and commercial value we have built together.
“What makes this particularly exciting is the scale of the opportunity. This is not a single-brand launch or a one-market rollout. Entain is continuing to take Gaming Corps content into more territories, across more of its brands, and that says a lot about where we are as a business.
“We have worked hard to build a portfolio that gives major operators real flexibility, from high-performing IP to timely, event-led content and new game formats. To see that strategy being recognised by a partner of Entain’s calibre is incredibly rewarding, and we are very excited about what comes next.”
Obdulio Bacarese, Global Gaming Director at Entain, added: “Gaming Corps has been a valuable partner over the last four years. The strength of the relationship lies in how easily the content can be activated around different commercial priorities, from supporting new market entries to adding timely releases around key calendar moments. The studio understands the need for content that is flexible, relevant and easy to position locally, and we are pleased to continue building on the partnership.”
The post Gaming Corps expands Entain partnership with major Canadian rollout appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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