Canada

PlayIllinois.com: Sportsbooks suffer first month-over-month decline, but gain ground on nation’s top markets

Published

5 years ago

April 12, 2021

Illinois sportsbooks posted a month-over-month decline in betting volume for the first time since launching in late July, continuing what was a national trend in February. But the state still managed to narrowly surpass Pennsylvania to place third among U.S. states for the month. More concerning for what has been a booming industry in Illinois, though, is the return of in-person registration, which could stymie online sports betting growth for as long as it is in place, according to PlayIllinois, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.

“Passing Pennsylvania should be momentous but it is almost certainly going to be short-lived, as the decision to return to in-person registration will likely mean the end of growth for the Illinois sports betting industry,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “Open registration has been a key component in making Illinois one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. Forcing people to physically appear in a retail sportsbook is a counterproductive measure, which should be apparent whenever Illinois April data is released.”

With open registration still in place in February, Illinois retail and online sportsbooks attracted $509.8 million in wagers, according to official data released Friday. That is down 12.3% from the record $581.6 million in January, an expected dip with fewer days during the month and only one NFL game to bet. That game, the Super Bowl, drew $45.6 million in bets, though some of those bets were accepted prior to February.

Bettors placed $18.2 million per day in the 28 days of February, which was down slightly from $18.8 million per day in January. Illinois’ relatively modest pullback made it the third-largest U.S. market in terms of money wagered, gaining ground on leaders New Jersey ($743 million) and Nevada ($554.1 million), while topping Pennsylvania ($509.5 million) for the first time.

February’s handle also produced $30.3 million in operator revenue, down 38.7% from the record $49.4 million in January. But the month’s win produced $35.4 million in taxable revenue, which yielded $5.3 million in taxes for the state and another $541,832 in local taxes.

“February’s results in Illinois actually compare well to the other major markets in the U.S., showing that the state had yet to reach its ceiling,” said Joe Boozell, analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “Even with the return of in-person registration, operators have set a good foundation of bettors that will sustain the industry, even as the rules stunt the market’s growth.”

For the first time in months, retail sportsbooks were open for a full month, attracting $19.6 million in bets. But online betting still drove 96.2%, or $490.2 million, of the state’s handle. That is down from 98.9%, or $575.2 million, in online betting in January.

DraftKings/Casino Queen remained the market leader by accepting $199.8 million in online and retail wagers in February, which was down from the operator’s $244.2 million handle in January but still represented 39.2% of the state’s total handle. $196.5 million of February’s bets came online.

FanDuel/Par-A-Dice Casino was second with its $158.9 million handle, $158.4 million of which came online. The operator’s overall handle was down from $173.5 million in January. BetRivers/Rivers Casino was third with $86.9 million in online betting and $96.4 million overall, down from $112.7 million in January.

The market has also gotten more competitive, most notably from the March 11 launch of Penn National’s Barstool-branded app, which is partnering with Hollywood Casinos. But Barstool’s launch came just weeks before the end of open registration, hamstringing what has been a popular operator in both Pennsylvania and Michigan.

“Barstool had just three weeks to build a customer base in an open environment, which should put it at a permanent disadvantage against the market leaders,” Welman said. “That said, their brand is popular and should draw significant interest, helping to grow the market. It could be the last hurrah, of sorts, as new operators might be deterred by in-person registration.”

In February, Super Bowl betting drove more action than any other single event, of course. But the NBA and college basketball continued to be a popular bet, drawing $256.7 million, or 50.4% of the state’s total handle, even as college basketball betting is slowed by the ban on wagers on in-state college teams. And bettors placed $45.3 million on tennis, a surprising surge for what is a fringe betting sport in much of the U.S.

“Illinois has grown in ways that are typical of most major markets, with an overwhelming preference for major U.S. sports and driven less by single events,” Boozell said. “But tennis’ popularity shows that the state is unique in some ways, too. We will now see how operators adapt to the state’s regulatory decisions, which have created challenges that sportsbooks will have to overcome to grow in the future.”

For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.

Canada

Gaming Corps takes flight in Ontario with High Flyer Casino partnership

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-corps-takes-flight-in-ontario-with-high-flyer-casino-partnership

Gaming Corps, the Sweden-based publicly listed game development studio, has secured a new content partnership with High Flyer Casino, an AGCO-licensed online gaming operator in Ontario, Canada. The agreement marks another strategic step forward for Gaming Corps as it continues to grow its footprint in one of North America’s most competitive regulated iGaming markets.

As part of the deal, a curated selection of Gaming Corps’ slot titles will be made available to High Flyer Casino players across Ontario. The initial launch includes 3 Pigs of the Caribbean, a swashbuckling instalment from the well-known 3 Pigs franchise, alongside Savannah Stacks, a high-volatility slot inspired by the thrills of a safari adventure.

High Flyer Casino has established itself as a slots-focused operator with a strong reputation for value-driven, mobile-first gaming experiences tailored to Canadian players. Operated by Ellipse Entertainment Limited, the company draws on more than 25 years of industry expertise and offers a diverse portfolio that features over 100 exclusive games. Its offering is further enhanced by the proprietary Reel Jackpot brand, popular Money Spinner titles, and a wide range of progressive slots.

Commenting on the partnership, Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said:
“High Flyer Casino has carved out a clear position in Ontario with a focused slots strategy and a strong understanding of what local players are looking for. Bringing our most recognisable titles to their platform allows us to reach a highly engaged audience in a market that continues to set the pace in North America. This agreement represents another meaningful step in expanding our distribution with operators who value distinctive content and long-term portfolio growth.”

Man Mac, Head of Marketing at High Flyer Casino, added:
“At High Flyer Casino, we are building a slot lineup that blends proven player appeal with unique and memorable gaming experiences. Gaming Corps’ portfolio fits perfectly with that approach, delivering polished, entertaining games that are full of personality.”

The post Gaming Corps takes flight in Ontario with High Flyer Casino partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

CasinoCanada and GG.BET Forge Strategic Alliance

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

casinocanada-and-gg.bet-forge-strategic-alliance

CasinoCanada is delighted to reveal a collaboration with GG.BET, a prominent global platform for esports and sports betting. This partnership will broaden GG.BET’s footprint in important regional markets and deliver focused, captivating content for fans of esports and sports wagering.

In this partnership, CasinoCanada will team up with GG.BET to create tailored reviews and SEO-focused content for local audiences. This initiative will enhance GG.BET’s exposure and provide players with trustworthy information and a smooth user experience.

CasinoCanada is an online gaming guide run by SEOBROTHERS.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, commented: “GG.BET is a pioneering force in the esports betting space, combining innovation with deep industry knowledge. Partnering with CasinoCanada aligns perfectly with our goal to support platforms that prioritise player engagement and responsible growth. Together, we look forward to delivering valuable content that resonates with esports and sports fans alike and contributes to the sustained success of GG.BET.”

GG.BET is a global wagering platform created by esports specialists to provide an exceptional esports betting experience along with a variety of conventional sports betting choices. The platform provides over 30 esports categories, featuring both console and mobile games, along with more than 40 conventional sports.

GG.BET additionally offers AI-driven virtual sports, including virtual leagues for football, basketball, and tennis. The platform improves user interaction with a tailored feed and a customizable gaming avatar that develops as players progress through GG.Leagues stages. GG.BET emphasizes player safety and client support, upholding strict standards in data security and user assistance.

GG.BET fosters esports growth through collaborations with teams and sponsorships of prominent tournaments, such as BLAST Premier (CS2), PGL Major, and Dota 2’s The International. Since 2020, GG.BET has partnered with NAVI and Team Vitality’s CS2 lineup.

The brand has gained international acclaim, securing the Best Esports Operator title at the EGR Operator Awards 2023 as well as the SiGMA Europe Awards 2023. This achievement persisted with the Esports Operator of the Year accolade at the EGR Global Operator Awards 2024, succeeded by Operator of the Year for Central and Eastern Europe at the EGR Global Europe Awards 2025.

Serhii, Head of Affiliates at GG.BET, added: “We’re pleased to launch our partnership with CasinoCanada. Their strong regional expertise and engaged audience make them a valuable partner for us. We see great potential in this cooperation to strengthen GG.BET’s presence in the region and build long-term growth together.”

The post CasinoCanada and GG.BET Forge Strategic Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGLC

Continent 8 set to back Alberta’s iGaming operators and suppliers

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

continent-8-set-to-back-alberta’s-igaming-operators-and-suppliers

Continent 8 Technologies, a premier provider of advanced managed IT solutions tailored for the worldwide iGaming and online sports betting sector, announces its official launch in Alberta, Canada. This growth comes after the province unveiled its competitive iGaming regulatory framework and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) issued comprehensive hosting and security requirements, representing another important milestone in Continent 8’s enduring dedication to the North American market.

With established operations in Ontario – where the company effectively introduced its Public Cloud solution in Toronto in direct response to the province’s launch of its iGaming market in 2022 – Continent 8 brings to Alberta the same level of regulatory insight, technical expertise, and customer-focused innovation that has positioned it as a reliable partner throughout Canada.

Alberta’s iGaming regulations outline specific hosting and data management responsibilities for suppliers and operators. For instance, every data centre utilized by licensees must obtain AGLC approval, which includes data residency, cross-border transfers, and encryption key management.

The province requires fully operational disaster recovery infrastructure and unalterable, encrypted backups, along with stringent conditions for quarterly testing and offsite storage—fields where Continent 8’s expertise offers instant benefits.

Besides hosting requirements, Alberta implements some of the most thorough security standards in the nation, such as mandatory MFA, compliance with SOC 2 and ISO 27001, yearly penetration testing, and extensive log retention mandates.

“Our heritage means we understand the rigorous regulatory expectations, and the operational challenges operators and suppliers face when entering new markets,” said Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies. “Alberta’s standards are comprehensive, particularly around disaster recovery, backups, and security. We have built our solutions so customers can meet these requirements confidently from day one. We are excited to support customers as Alberta opens its market and continues Canada’s growth story.”

The post Continent 8 set to back Alberta’s iGaming operators and suppliers appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.