Canada
PlayVirginia.com: Virginia sportsbooks extend historic start with $265 million in February
Virginia sportsbooks hauled in more than $265 million in wagers in what was the Commonwealth’s first full month of legal sports betting, extending one of the highest volume debuts in U.S. history, according to PlayVirginia, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“Virginia’s debut has been overshadowed some by Michigan, but together the two states show just how far the U.S. has come,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayVirginia.com. “The nation’s major operators have the resources to engage bettors in new markets in ways that were impossible in the early days of legalization, which benefits later-comers like Virginia. Ultimately, that will mean a market that goes through fewer growing pains than some of the earlier adopters.”
Spurred by $19.6 million in Super Bowl betting, matching PlayUSA.com projections for the state, Virginia sportsbooks collected $265.8 million in wagers in February, according to official data released Thursday by The Virginia Lottery. That is up from $58.9 million in January. The per-day handle nearly doubled to $9.5 million per day through the 28 days of February from $5.4 million per day in January, easily the largest month-over-month per day gain in the U.S. during the month.
Launched on consecutive days in January, Virginia and Michigan have now combined to take in $741.7 million in online bets so far. And with Michigan’s $301.9 million in online bets in February, the two states represent No. 1 and No. 2 on the list of highest-volume first full months of legalized online sports betting in U.S. history.
Virginia’s sportsbooks won $12.2 million on February’s bets, up from $3.6 million in January. Promotional credits again sapped much of the win, pushing combined adjusted gaming revenue to a $3.2 million loss in adjusted gross revenue. The collective win yielded $300,593 taxes for the state.
Even more, new operators continue to enter the market, joining national heavyweights FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and BetRivers, which all launched in January. That includes William Hill, which launched just before the Super Bowl in February, and WynnBet, which opened ahead of March Madness, giving Virginians a more robust selection to choose from.
“The enthusiasm from bettors will eventually settle down, and sportsbooks will pull back a bit from this heavy promotional period,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayVirignia.com. “Ultimately, the goal in these early days for sportsbooks is to engage sports bettors, introduce them to their product, and begin building relationships that will act as the foundation. So far Virginia’s operators are doing just that.”
The growth in Virginia should continue in March, which includes the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. But Virginia may not be in as good a position as other states to capitalize on March Madness.
The Commonwealth had five schools reach the NCAA Tournament, but a state ban on wagering on in-state college teams and in-game wagering on college games in general could mute the results of what is traditionally the nation’s single-biggest sports betting holiday in the U.S.
“The NCAA tournament will bring significant interest in Virginia, but the restrictions will prevent a huge leap forward,” Welman said. “Removing those restrictions would really help get the most out of what still should be a big month next month. Regardless of what happens in March, Virginia is off to a great start by most any measure.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Virginia, visit PlayVirginia.com/revenue.
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 two dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches, including PlayVirginia.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 affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
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Canada
ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Canada
IAGR announces Toronto as host city for 2025 conference
Hot on the heels of its most attended conference in history, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) is excited to announce that its 2025 conference will take place in Toronto, Canada, from October 20 to 23, 2025.
The event will be held in partnership with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) at the Westin Harbour Castle, offering stunning waterfront views and a premier, downtown Toronto location.
‘Fresh off the success of our Rome conference, we’re thrilled to continue the momentum with next year’s event in Toronto,’ said Ben Haden, IAGR President.
‘The IAGR 2025 conference promises to be another unparalleled opportunity for our global community to come together, collaborate and shape the future of gaming regulation. We’re looking forward to working with AGCO to bring it all together.’
AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr, added, ‘We’re excited to welcome IAGR and its members to Toronto. This partnership provides a great opportunity to share Ontario’s innovative regulatory practices and foster meaningful discussions that drive positive change in the industry.’
Stay tuned for registration details early next year.
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