Canada
PlayIllinois.com: Sportsbooks hit $450 million for first time
Illinois online and retail sportsbooks collected more than $450 million in wagers in November, setting a fresh record for monthly handle to place fourth among legal sports betting markets in the U.S. It’s a remarkable ascent for a fledgling market that has become the fourth state in history to enjoy a month with more than $450 million in bets, according to PlayIllinois, which offers news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“Illinois’ success is more than just a large population fueling impressive numbers that dwarf smaller states,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “Illinois is rivaling markets such as Pennsylvania that are far more mature and just as large, and it’s doing it because the top online sportsbooks in the country are investing heavily in the market and Illinois bettors are responding with an unprecedented fervor.”
Illinois bettors placed a record $451 million in wagers in November, according to “approximate” data released Wednesday by the Illinois Gaming Board. That is up nearly 4% from $434.6 million in October. Only New Jersey ($931.6 million) and Nevada ($609.4 million) — the two oldest legal sports betting markets in the U.S. — and Pennsylvania ($491.9 million) generated more in bets during November 2020.
November’s bets produced $41 million in adjusted gross revenue for the operators, down slightly from the state record $42.2 million in revenue generated in October. Those gains yielded $6 million in state taxes.
Despite a relative leveling from October to November, Illinois’ ascent remains unprecedented. New Jersey did not surpass $450 million in monthly handle until its 17th month after launch. It took Pennsylvania even longer, reaching the mark with $462.8 million in September 2020, 23 months after launch.
Aside from the suspension of the state’s in-person registration requirements, much of what has fueled the market is interest in regional sports, particularly the Chicago Bears and Notre Dame. But the Bears went 0-4 in the month, and without baseball and the NBA Finals, November offered less to bet on than in October. In addition, retail sportsbooks were shuttered in mid-November because of Covid-related restrictions.
That did not slow bettors, though, as the Illinois market showed resilience in the face of obstacles.
“At this point, it makes sense to adjust our expectations up for the market,” said Joe Boozell, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “The retail market was shut down in November, and this was the first month since the market really heated up in July that the sports schedule was slower than the month before, and yet sportsbooks still made gains. Such resilience shows that Illinois is maturing more quickly than anyone imagined.”
With retail sportsbooks shuttered for the second half of the month, online sports betting accounted for the vast majority of all bets. Specific operator data was not immediately released.
With only five online operators, Illinois is still home to a relatively short roster of sportsbooks. But Penn National’s Barstool-branded app, BetMGM, and Unibet are among those that are expected to launch in Illinois in the coming months, which should give the state a boost.
“Remarkably, Illinois has done all this with just a handful of operators and without some of the best-known brands in the industry,” Boozell said. “The gains will continue to attract operators, and could have Illinois poised to challenge even the largest market in the U.S., so long as the state’s in-person registration requirement remains suspended.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayIndiana.com, PlayIllinois.com, PlayNJ.com and PlayPennsylvania.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliation to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
Powered by WPeMatico
23 Broadway
23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform
23 Broadway has secured $3 million in Seed funding to accelerate the next phase of its growth and launch a fully integrated AI-powered user acquisition financing platform.
The funding round was co-led by Betty and Will Ventures, with participation from 359 Capital, CEAS Investments, and Dave Bartman.
23 Broadway was integral in catapulting Betty to an 18% market share in Ontario through its world-class performance marketing team and proprietary AI system called Atlas.
Atlas determines the optimal cost of acquiring a customer and their predicted long-term value.
With this new funding, 23 Broadway will add non-dilutive capital to fund user acquisition to run alongside its existing performance marketing and technology capabilities into a single integrated solution.
Jordan Tuch, CEO of 23 Broadway, said: “23 Broadway is reimagining user acquisition financing by not only providing capital but deploying it through proprietary technology and performance marketing expertise. We’ve created a model that empowers businesses to scale faster without needing to build complex technology or marketing infrastructure themselves. The ability to use AI and execute bids based on a customer’s predicted lifetime value means we can deploy capital far more efficiently. That combination of predictive intelligence and funding creates a powerful growth engine for our partners.”
The underlying thesis is that platforms combining in-house technology and performance marketing expertise can offer a truly differentiated and durable user acquisition financing solution.
Growth-stage businesses benefit from access to dedicated capital for customer acquisition without equity dilution, while also being able to implement advanced marketing execution across platforms such as Google Ads and other major advertising ecosystems.
Funding will be allocated to develop Atlas further and enhance 23 Broadway’s predictive modelling capabilities. Another focus will be building new AI-driven models to help gaming companies strengthen retention marketing strategies. A final part will be to onboard additional partners seeking scalable user acquisition financing solutions.
The post 23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
23 Broadway
23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform
23 Broadway has raised $3 million in Seed funding to drive the next phase of its growth and launch a fully integrated, AI-powered user acquisition financing platform.
The funding round was co-led by Betty and Will Ventures, with participation from 359 Capital, CEAS Investments, and Dave Bartman.
The company played a key role in helping Betty achieve an 18% market share in Ontario, leveraging its world-class performance marketing team and proprietary AI system, Atlas. Atlas predicts the optimal cost to acquire a customer and estimates their long-term value, allowing marketing spend to be deployed with precision.
With this new capital, 23 Broadway will integrate non-dilutive financing with its existing performance marketing and technology capabilities, offering a single, streamlined solution for user acquisition.
Jordan Tuch, CEO of 23 Broadway, said: “23 Broadway is reimagining user acquisition financing by not only providing capital but deploying it through proprietary technology and performance marketing expertise. We’ve created a model that empowers businesses to scale faster without needing to build complex technology or marketing infrastructure themselves. The ability to use AI and execute bids based on a customer’s predicted lifetime value means we can deploy capital far more efficiently. That combination of predictive intelligence and funding creates a powerful growth engine for our partners.”
The company’s strategy centers on combining in-house technology with performance marketing expertise to deliver a differentiated, durable user acquisition financing solution. Growth-stage businesses gain access to dedicated capital for customer acquisition without giving up equity, while also benefiting from advanced marketing execution across major advertising platforms like Google Ads.
The funding will support further development of Atlas and enhance 23 Broadway’s predictive modeling capabilities. Additional priorities include creating new AI-driven tools to strengthen retention marketing for gaming companies and onboarding more partners seeking scalable user acquisition financing solutions.
The post 23 Broadway secures $3m seed funding to launch AI-powered user acquisition financing platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AiGC
Soft2Bet Eyes Alberta iGaming Market Expansion in Canada
Soft2Bet, a global provider of turnkey iGaming solutions, has announced plans to pursue entry into the regulated gaming market in Alberta as part of its broader strategy to expand its footprint across Canada.
The company confirmed that its entry will depend on regulatory approval once the province finalizes its evolving legal framework for online gaming. The move reflects Soft2Bet’s growing commitment to the Canadian market and its strategy to scale operations across newly regulated territories in North America.
A Strategic Move Toward Alberta’s Emerging iGaming Market
As one of Canada’s most economically robust provinces, Alberta has quickly become a focal point for iGaming operators and technology providers preparing for potential market liberalization.
Industry forecasts indicate that Alberta’s regulated online gaming sector could become one of the country’s most lucrative regional markets. Estimates from analysts at Citizens JMP Securities suggest that the province’s iGaming industry could generate over $700 million in annual revenue once the market reaches maturity.
Soft2Bet’s early evaluation of the market demonstrates the company’s proactive approach to identifying high-growth opportunities in newly regulated jurisdictions.
Monitoring the iGaming Alberta Act
Soft2Bet is closely observing developments surrounding the proposed regulatory framework established under the iGaming Alberta Act. The legislation outlines the structure for Alberta’s regulated online gaming industry and establishes oversight responsibilities for provincial authorities.
Under the proposed system, the Alberta iGaming Corporation would oversee the province’s online gaming ecosystem, while regulatory enforcement would remain with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis.
Soft2Bet has indicated that it is preparing to meet Alberta’s anticipated compliance and technical standards, ensuring its platform technology aligns with the province’s regulatory expectations.
Building on Canadian Experience
Soft2Bet’s potential expansion into Alberta builds upon its experience operating in Ontario, where the company already offers localized gaming services through its consumer-facing brand ToonieBet.
The Ontario market has become one of North America’s most successful regulated online gaming jurisdictions since its launch in 2022, attracting numerous international operators and platform providers.
By leveraging insights from its Ontario operations, Soft2Bet aims to deliver tailored gaming experiences for players in Alberta while maintaining full compliance with regional regulations.
Localization as a Key Strategy
Localization remains a central pillar of Soft2Bet’s international growth strategy. The company emphasizes adapting its platforms and gaming products to match the cultural preferences, language requirements, and regulatory expectations of each market in which it operates.
Soft2Bet plans to apply this hyper-localized approach in Alberta by ensuring that its gaming offerings reflect the specific needs and preferences of Canadian players.
This includes customized content, localized branding, and user experiences that resonate with regional audiences.
Commitment to Innovation and Player Experience
According to company leadership, innovation remains a driving force behind Soft2Bet’s expansion strategy.
David Yatom Hay, General Counsel at Soft2Bet, highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering engaging gaming experiences that align with local player expectations.
The company continues to invest in platform technology and product development to create dynamic gaming environments that combine entertainment, compliance, and user-friendly design.
Expanding Across Regulated Markets
Soft2Bet’s interest in Alberta is part of a broader roadmap for 2026, which includes entering additional regulated markets around the world.
As governments increasingly adopt regulated frameworks for online gaming, technology providers like Soft2Bet are focusing on scalable solutions that allow them to quickly adapt to different regulatory environments.
Turnkey platforms, which include player management systems, gaming content, and compliance tools, have become essential for operators looking to enter new markets efficiently.
Canada’s Growing iGaming Landscape
Canada has rapidly become one of the most promising regions for online gaming growth in North America. The success of Ontario’s regulated market has encouraged other provinces to explore similar frameworks.
If Alberta successfully launches a competitive iGaming market, it could further strengthen Canada’s position as a key hub for regulated online gaming innovation.
Operators, developers, and platform providers are closely monitoring the regulatory process, positioning themselves for entry once licensing becomes available.
Looking Ahead
For Soft2Bet, Alberta represents a strategic opportunity to expand its presence in Canada while reinforcing its reputation as a global iGaming platform provider.
By preparing early for regulatory approval and leveraging its experience in Ontario, the company aims to deliver localized gaming experiences that meet the expectations of Canadian players and regulators alike.
As Alberta moves closer to establishing its regulated online gaming framework, Soft2Bet’s planned market entry signals the growing interest from international technology providers seeking to participate in Canada’s evolving digital gaming ecosystem.
The post Soft2Bet Eyes Alberta iGaming Market Expansion in Canada appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
AGCO6 days agoCanada’s Ontario iGaming Market in 2026: Advertising Rules, Self-Exclusion and the Next Phase of Regulation
-
Asia6 days agoNODWIN Gaming joins forces with ICONiQ White to headline NH7 Weekender 2026 as Title Sponsor; to be ‘Powered By’ Mastercard
-
Eric Castro Head of Games Content Casino & Games at Paf Group7 days agoOctoplay Advances Global Expansion Strategy in Partnership with Paf
-
Bonus Cards7 days agoCasinoCanada.com introduces redesigned Bonus Cards
-
Belatra6 days agoBelatra celebrates 33rd anniversary at SiGMA South America
-
Arizona7 days agoBETER secures supplier licence in Arizona
-
Bonus Card7 days agoCasinoCanada.com Launches Revamped Bonus Cards
-
casino entertainment6 days agoPopOK Gaming Launches New Slot Games: Genie Fortune and Rico Rhino



