Canada
PlayIA.com: Sportsbooks slow in April, but state hits significant milestone
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Wagering at Iowa’s online and retail sportsbooks slowed in April to less than $120 million, the lowest handle since December though an expected pullback in what is the beginning of the slower summer period in sports betting. But on the two-year anniversary of Gov. Kim Reynolds signing sports betting into law, Iowa sportsbooks have generated $101.1 million in operator revenue since the industry launched in 2019, giving the state’s sports betting industry a historic milestone on its second birthday, according to PlayIA, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state.
“Seeing $100 million in lifetime revenue is an attention-getting milestone that crystallizes just how much growth Iowa has enjoyed this year,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIA.com. “The removal of in-person registration at the beginning of the year has been the catalyst for the industry’s expectation-busting start to the year. But other factors have helped, too, including a fierce competition among some of the country’s best-known operators, which have been aggressive and creative in reaching new bettors.”
Iowa sportsbooks accepted $ 118.4 million in bets in April, according to official data released Friday. That is down 26.7% from the record $161.4 million in wagers in March and the lowest volume since sportsbooks collected $104.8 million in bets in December. The state’s per-day betting average over the 30 days in April fell to $3.9 million from $5.2 million over the 31 days of March.
Net operator revenue was relatively strong though, hitting $7.7 million in April. That was down 42.6% from April’s record $13.5 million in net receipts. April’s revenue produced $521,455 in state taxes. Since January, when in-person registration rules were lifted, Iowa sportsbooks have produced $40.2 million in net receipts, or 39.8% of the state’s lifetime handle.
Without the NFL or the NCAA Tournament, sports betting has historically lightened from April through August in legal U.S. markets. In April, sportsbooks relied on the NBA’s regular season and the first full month of baseball as the main engines to attract bets.
“Nothing can quite replace the interest that the NFL and the NCAA Tournament drives, so a pullback in April is no surprise,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayIA.com. “But with a full month of regular season NBA and Major League Baseball, Iowa still put together a decent showing in April. That is an excellent sign as we head into the slower summer months, which could be busier than in an ordinary year because of the Olympics and later-than-usual NBA playoffs.”
Online betting generated $104.5 million in bets or 88.3% of the state’s overall handle. That rose from 86.3% of the state’s handle in March. Meanwhile, retail betting fell to $13.8 million from $22.1 million in March.
Longstanding Iowa leader William Hill, which is partners with six Iowa casinos — Prairie Meadows, Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs, Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Isle of Capri Bettendorf, Lakeside, and Harrah’s Council Bluffs — topped the market with $39.1 million in handle, including $35.7 million in online wagers. The combined handle was down from $49.5 million in March. April produced $1.8 million in net receipts.
William Hill is also undergoing a branding change as part of the acquisition by Caesars Entertainment. It will likely take on the recognizable “Caesars Sports” name for its U.S. sportsbooks, adding a wrinkle in William Hills’ effort to hold off DraftKings and BetRivers at Wild Rose casinos.
Wild Rose, which includes DraftKings and BetRivers, took in $34.6 million in online and retail bets in April — down from $44.3 million in March. That included $34.3 million in online wagers. Still, Wild Rose led the market with $2.6 million in net receipts.
FanDuel and BetMGM helped put Diamond Jo in third place with $29.2 million in April bets, which included $26.1 million in online wagering. April’s betting was down from $42.8 million in March. Diamond Jo’s April handle netted $2.2 million in receipts.
Emerging sportsbooks operators are planning on launching in Iowa soon, too. Circa Sports, USBookmaking, and PlayUp all had sports betting contracts approved in April, joining a growing list of operators planning an Iowa launch, including WynnBet, Vigtory, MaximBet, and 888 Sports.
“The Iowa market is still a long way from maturity,” Welman said. “The largest sportsbooks are in a fight for market share while competitors turn their eyes to Iowa, an increasingly attractive market for emerging operators. The next few months should bring a flurry of activity, as operators jockey for position ahead of football season.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Iowa, visit PlayIA.com/news.
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Canada
ROGA Launches National College Education Campaign
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The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has launched the “Know Your Play” campaign in partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). This is a major initiative designed to provide college-aged students with detailed content focused on responsible gaming, mental health and well-being, and financial literacy.
“College students are learning to navigate newfound financial independence and equipping this age group with resources to make informed decisions that can build good financial habits will serve them throughout their lives, whether they engage in gaming or not. While previous programs have focused on student-athletes, our campaign intends to educate the broader student population about responsible gaming concepts that can help this age group set realistic expectations and see gaming as a form of entertainment, not as a way of making money,” ROGA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shatley said.
The campaign utilizes digital learning tools, resources, and videos available to all college-aged students at knowyourplay.org, even if they are not enrolled in a university. These resources will educate students on key responsible gaming concepts, including randomness, impulsiveness, and limit setting, while addressing myths like the illusion of control in sports betting. It will also focus on the role stress and mental health play in overall student wellbeing and provide practical tips for management. Additionally, extended resources will be piloted with select universities.
“EPIC has vast expertise and experience in creating programs that resonate with college-aged audiences and are delighted to partner with ROGA on a campaign that will provide critical education to college students across the country. By combining expert knowledge with personal stories, our program aims to foster a well-rounded understanding of financial literacy, decision-making, and risk-taking,” Teresa Fiore, SVP of Partnerships at EPIC Global Solutions, said.
The campaign will begin rolling out at college campuses over the next several weeks with in-person learning sessions and workshops in tandem with digital delivery tools for greater accessibility and reach, ensuring that the program effectively engages students across diverse campuses and demographics.
“College life presents unique pressures, from financial independence to academic performance, all of which can impact mental health. By fostering decision-making skills that bridge these areas, we’re helping students build resilience, manage stress, and develop healthy habits that will serve them well beyond their college years,” Kindbridge Group CEO Daniel Umfleet, said.
“College students face an increased risk of harm from gambling, making prevention education essential in protecting this important audience. RGC has a long history of creating prevention programs for young adults, and we are proud to partner with ROGA on this crucial initiative. This campaign will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions should they choose to gamble. By providing valuable information, digital tools, and resources, we are empowering young adults to approach gambling with a lower-risk mindset and reduce potential harm,” RGC CEO Sarah McCarthy said.
The post ROGA Launches National College Education Campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
Siyata Mobile Announces New Order from Leading Canadian Gaming and Entertainment Company
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Siyata Mobile Inc, a global vendor of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices and cellular signal booster systems, announced a new order for SD7 handsets and related accessories for a new customer, a leading gaming and entertainment company located in Canada.
This order marks one of Siyata’s first entries into the gaming and casino industry, a sector with significant growth potential for the Company. The customer operates dozens of gaming, entertainment, and hospitality venues across Canada and will deploy the SD7 handsets for Push-to-Talk (PTT) communications among its security and maintenance teams.
“This new order is an exciting milestone for Siyata as we expand further into the gaming and casino market. There is a growing industry trend toward modern, cellular-based communication solutions. Casinos require reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use communication tools with exceptional audio clarity, and our SD7 handsets and accessories are an ideal fit for those demands. This casino is replacing traditional Land Mobile Radio (LMR) two-way radios with advanced PoC technology for its security and maintenance personnel. The SD7’s robust capabilities, including instant push-to-talk functionality and superior coverage, make it an attractive choice for businesses prioritizing security and operational efficiency,” Marc Seelenfreund, CEO of Siyata Mobile, said.
The post Siyata Mobile Announces New Order from Leading Canadian Gaming and Entertainment Company appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Canada
CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars
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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.
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