Canada
PlayPennsylvania.com: Sportsbooks cool with $500 million in February
![](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/playpennsylvania-com-sportsbooks-cool-with-500-million-in-february.jpg)
Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks slowed in February but still surpassed $500 million in wagers for the third consecutive month, while online casinos tallied nearly $80 million in revenue in February. Though February brought largely good news to Pennsylvania, it was still the state’s lowest handle since November while online casino revenue fell behind Michigan, according to PlayPennsylvania.com, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“With just 28 days and a schedule with one NFL game, even if that game is the Super Bowl, a pullback from January to February is expected,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Pennsylvania remains one of the strongest markets in the U.S., and March Madness will almost certainly put the state back on the upswing.”
In total, Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks collected $509.5 million in bets, according to official data released Tuesday. That was up 54.5% from $329.8 million in February 2020, though off from the record $615.3 million in bets in January.
February’s bets produced $16.4 million in taxable revenue, up 246.9% from $4.7 million in February 2020, yielding $5.6 million in state taxes and $327,596 in local share assessments.
The Super Bowl generated $53.6 million in wagers alone, but even the largest single game in terms of wagering of the year is not enough to replace a robust NFL schedule. The expected month-over-month dip from January to February will likely keep Pennsylvania from surpassing Nevada as the nation’s No. 2 market, something the Keystone State nearly did in January.
“Pennsylvania continues to post strong results month after month, but Nevada is a more event-driven market so the Super Bowl handle there is typically the nation’s highest,” Gouker said. “But at the current trajectory of both markets, it seems it’s not if but when Pennsylvania will become the nation’s No. 2 market.”
Online sports betting produced 92.2%, or $469.7 million, of February’s handle, down from 94.3% in January as retail sportsbooks continued to slowly rebound.
FanDuel Sportsbook/Valley Forge Casino led the market with $176.3 million in online bets, down from $220.7 million in January. Those bets produced $7.3 million in taxable revenue. DraftKings/The Meadows was second with $111.7 million in bets, down from $143.5 million in January, yielding $3 million in taxable revenue.
The Barstool-branded Penn National/Hollywood Casino app continues to be a major player, finishing February in third with $65.6 million, up from $65 million in January. It managed to gross $5.1 million in revenue, but heavy promotion led to a $726,040 loss in taxable revenue.
The leaders were followed by:
- BetMGM/Hollywood Morgantown ($33.7 million handle, down from $39.3 million; $2 million, down from $33,148)
- BetRivers/Rivers-Pittsburgh ($20.4 million handle, down from $26.8 million; $1.4 million revenue, up from $1.3 million)
- Fox Bet/Mount Airy ($18 million handle, down from $26.6 million; $1.3 million, down from $2.5 million)
- Parx Casino ($17.7 million handle, down from $22.8 million; $1.6 million revenue, down from $1.8 million)
- PlaySugarHouse/Rivers-Philadelphia ($14.6 million handle, down from $20.8 million; $957,245 in revenue, down from $1.4 million)
- Unibet/Mohegan Sun Pocono ($7.5 million handle, down from $10 million; $416,533 revenue, up from $377,770)
- Betfred/Wind Creek ($1.7 million handle, up from $1.5 million; $50,386 revenue, down from $208,275)
- BetAmerica/Presque Isle Downs ($1.3 million handle, down from $1.7 million; $5,496 revenue, up from -$81,367)
- Caesars/Harrah’s ($1.1 million handle, down from $1.3 million; $3,541 revenue, down from $36,506)
Retail sportsbooks generated a $39.8 million handle, up from $35.4 million in January. Sportsbooks won $3 million on February’s bets. The top retail sportsbook was Rivers-Philadelphia with $7.7 million in bets.
“Retail sportsbooks still have some time to go before they are back to normal, but with COVID infections dropping as vaccination levels rise, better days are hopefully not far away,” said Valerie Cross, analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “In the online market, though, Barstool continues to make progress, keeping handle steady, but it took a huge promotional spend to do it.”
Online casinos and poker
Online casinos and poker rooms generated $77.8 million in gross revenue in February, which was down slightly from $80.4 million in January revenue. But that is mostly good news, as online casinos and poker rooms actually raised revenue to $2.8 million per day over the 28 days in February from $2.6 million per day in January.
The revenue yielded $21 million in state taxes and another $10.7 million in local share assessments and county grants.
Despite a record for per-day revenue, Pennsylvania is now the third-largest online casino market in the U.S. after Michigan tallied $79.7 million in its first full month of online casinos and poker.
“Pennsylvania’s online casinos are in a very good place,” Cross said. “Pennsylvania’s fall to No. 3 says more about Michigan’s rapid ascent than it does about anything in the Keystone State. Online casinos will continue to be a most reliable revenue generator for the state for the foreseeable future.”
For more information on the revenue generated by Pennsylvania, visit www.playpennsylvania.com/revenue.
Powered by WPeMatico
Canada
CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars
![casinocanada-started-a-new-partnership-with-ocean-spin-by-lala-stars](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/144320-casinocanada-started-a-new-partnership-with-ocean-spin-by-lala-stars.png)
CasinoCanada, the number one gambling guide for players in Canada, is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Ocean Spin a brand under the umbrella of LaLa Stars.
This collaboration marks an exciting step in CasinoCanada’s mission to provide its audience with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on top gaming experiences.
The partnership agreement will grant LaLa Stars premium visibility across high-traffic sections of CasinoCanada’s website, which has been a trusted source for Canadian players for over 20 years.
LaLa Stars presents itself as an affiliate program that generates double-digit profits by making it easy and enjoyable to promote the brands. The program features a memorable design, a player-centric retention system, top-tier payment options, and game providers. Fast payments, flexible commission models, high-converting brands, powerful reporting, no middlemen, and outstanding conversion make LaLa Stars a popular choice. Additional company benefits are: a revenue share of up to 60%, a CPA of up to €500, hybrid CPA.
Ocean Spin Casino, a brand of LaLa Stars company, despite being quite new on the iGaming market, is a huge online gambling platform where all casino newcomers are greeted with a welcome bonus of 100% for up to €500, and 200 free spins plus one Bonus Crab. It comes as a first deposit bonus for a minimum deposit amount of €20. Sports-betting enthusiasts can also claim a welcome bonus of 100% for up to €100.
Ocean Spin Casino’s games include: gaming machines, roulette blackjack, betting, video poker, bingo, baccarat, jackpot games, and live games.
“We are excited to meet our new partner Ocean Spin Casino, and hope to bring maximum use and value to our community,” said Aleksandra Drigo, Sales Director at CasinoCanada. “This partnership perfectly reflects our dedication to highlighting the best in the gaming industry while offering our audience valuable insights and chances to experience top-notch gaming. We hope for a productive and long-term partnership!”
The partnership is now live, featuring LaLa Stars reviews and exclusive offers on the CasinoCanada website. This collaboration is set to deliver even more thrilling updates, exclusive content, and personalized promotions for the Canadian gambling community.
The post CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Blueprint Gaming
Blueprint Gaming partners with Rush Street Interactive to further expand Ontario reach via BetRivers platform
![blueprint-gaming-partners-with-rush-street-interactive-to-further-expand-ontario-reach-via-betrivers-platform](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/144306-blueprint-gaming-partners-with-rush-street-interactive-to-further-expand-ontario-reach-via-betrivers-platform.png)
Blueprint Gaming, the leading UK slots developer and member of the Merkur Group, has doubled down on its Canadian footprint following a partnership with industry leading online casino and sports betting company, Rush Street Interactive, in Ontario.
The agreement will see a host of Blueprint’s top performing games made available to a new wave of slot enthusiasts, including its Megaways offering featuring Napoleon Megaways
and Majestic Fury Megaways
, as well as the company’s renowned branded library offering the likes of Rick and Morty
: Strike Back and The Lost Boys
.
Founded in 2012, RSI has become a market leader in online casinos and sportsbooks across the Americas and is set to have its expansive portfolio of slots elevated by Blueprint’s engaging titles featuring sought after mechanics.
The agreement underlines Blueprint’s ever-expanding global footprint and aligns with its strategic roadmap for Canada where its games continue to resonate with players across the country.
Samuel Haggblom, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint Gaming, said: “The popularity of Blueprint slots continues to grow across Canada and the Americas, and so we are delighted to go live with an industry renowned operator in the region.
“This exciting deal pays further testament to how our games can resonate with players in multiple markets worldwide and we look forward to seeing the response from BetRivers players.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO for Rush Street Interactive, said: “Blueprint Gaming boasts a growing collection of exciting titles, and we are thrilled to be working with them to bring these games to our BetRivers players in Ontario.
“We are happy to partner with Blueprint Gaming and look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.”
The post Blueprint Gaming partners with Rush Street Interactive to further expand Ontario reach via BetRivers platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
Nearly half of Ontarian viewers wagering on Super Bowl LIX
![nearly-half-of-ontarian-viewers-wagering-on-super-bowl-lix](https://recentslotreleases.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/144214-nearly-half-of-ontarian-viewers-wagering-on-super-bowl-lix.png)
The latest sports betting survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) shows the majority of Ontarians plan to watch Super Bowl LIX (63 per cent) and almost half of viewers will place a wager on the big game (48 per cent).
Over a third of Ontario adults have initiated a bet after seeing a gambling advertisement online or on TV (35 per cent); more so among populations at-risk for problem gambling, including those under age 44 (42 per cent) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals (44 per cent).
Two thirds believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge in predicting outcomes (67 per cent), particularly men and those aged 18-44 (70 per cent). While knowledge and skill does inform a bet, it doesn’t guarantee a win. The misconception that one can accurately predict an outcome can lead to over confidence that their knowledge will give them an advantage and ultimately, a win. This is known as the illusion of control. This false belief paired with persuasive gambling advertising can increase risk, influencing some to bet more than they can afford to lose. More than a third report doing so in the past 12 months (36 per cent).
Key survey highlights
How Ontarians plan to bet:
- 50 per cent will bet online with a sportsbook website
- 30 per cent will bet with family and friends
- 27 per cent will buy sport-based lottery tickets
- 20 per cent will bet in a pool
How much they plan to wager:
- 55 per cent say they will bet $100 or less
- 19 per cent will bet between $101 and $500
- 8 per cent plan to wager more than $500
Number of bets they’ll make:
- 55 per cent will bet a single time on the outcome of the game
- 25 per cent will bet multiple times throughout the game using one sportsbook website
- 15 per cent will bet using several sportsbook websites
“Gambling is random but your plan shouldn’t be,” says Sarah McCarthy, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “Perceived knowledge of the game, persuasive advertising, and substance use can all influence how we gamble. A smart plan includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even with sports expertise, understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.”
RGC tips for safer sports betting
- Be mindful of the illusion of control. Remember that even with sports expertise a win is not guaranteed and understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome
- Be aware that time spent, and knowledge gained won’t help you “beat the odds”
- Plan before you play – pre-set betting limits and stay within your budget
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent/mortgage or food
- Never chase losses by trying to win back what you’ve lost
- Limit your alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substance intake
- Don’t bet if you are upset or stressed
- View sports betting as entertainment, not a way to make money
Detailed survey insights
Half of those who will wager on the Super Bowl say their main reason to bet is to win money (48 per cent), followed by adding to the excitement of the game (47 per cent). About a fifth bet because they believe they are knowledgeable about the teams and players (22 per cent), they feel confident about their chances of winning (20 per cent), or because their favourite team or player is playing (18 per cent). One in ten bets in a mistaken attempt to make up for last year’s losses (10 per cent).
Over half of those who will bet on the big game will place their bets while consuming substances, which are associated with the additional risks of impaired judgement and decision-making (52 per cent). The majority plan to consume alcohol while betting (86 per cent).
While men and women are similarly likely to watch the Super Bowl, men are slightly more likely to place a wager (49 vs 45 per cent). Age and ethnicity also play significant roles. Ontario sports bettors aged 45+ are more likely to bet on the big game (52 per cent) than those aged 18-44 (45 per cent). White individuals are significantly more likely to bet on Super Bowl LIX (54 per cent) compared to BIPOC Ontarians (42 per cent).
Staying onside
Of those planning to bet on the Super Bowl, the most common strategies to manage their gambling risk remain the same as last year: deciding on a pre-set betting limit (37 per cent), betting to have fun and not to make money (31 per cent), and not betting more to recoup losses (25 per cent).
A quarter of all respondents say they always or often feel anger or frustration at losing a bet (25 per cent), while a third sometimes do (36 per cent). This increases when placing bets while using substances. A third report their gambling has caused them to experience health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety (36 per cent) over the last 12 months, and that they might have a problem with gambling (36 per cent). These rates are highest among BIPOC Ontarians and those aged 18-34.
As a result, more Super Bowl betters are now paying attention to mood and state of mind when they gamble. Encouragingly, a quarter will avoid betting when feeling emotionally distressed (25 per cent) and a fifth will refrain from betting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (21 per cent).
To help keep online gambling safer, all regulated sportsbook websites have responsible gambling features. Of those who plan to use online sportsbooks to bet during the Super Bowl, a quarter read online information about the odds of winning and how certain games work (25 per cent) or use money limit-setting tools (23 per cent). A fifth use personalized spending reports or take a cooling off period (20 per cent). Notably, a third don’t plan on using any features to help them manage their betting (33 per cent).
Methodology
An online survey of 1,147 Ontario residents aged 18+ was completed between November 22 – December 6, 2024, using Leger’s online panel. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.9%, 19 times out of 20.
The post Nearly half of Ontarian viewers wagering on Super Bowl LIX appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
Bragg Gaming Group6 days ago
Bragg Gaming Announces Preliminary Unaudited Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 and 2025 Strategic Initiatives and Guidance
-
Latest News6 days ago
Week 5/2025 slot games releases
-
Blanka Homor6 days ago
Playson Signs Agreement with Light & Wonder in Global Distribution Deal
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Michigan Lottery Achieves iCAP Re-certification for Responsible Online Gaming Practices
-
Latest News6 days ago
Women’s Euros set to be more popular with punters than Six Nations, survey shows
-
Atlantic Lottery Corporation6 days ago
ALC Announces the Appointment of Dallas McCready as New Head of Crown Corporation
-
Latest News7 days ago
Celebrate the Season of Love with Amusnet’s Diamond Plus – Valentine’s Edition
-
Latest News6 days ago
SCCG Launches Cybersecurity Services (CSaaS) to Safeguard the Gaming Industry