Canada

PlayNJ.com: Sports betting slows in April, but New Jersey hits major milestones nonetheless

Published

5 years ago

May 17, 2021

New Jersey sports betting volume expectedly slowed to less than $750 million in April, the first month of a typical seasonal dip that should last into August. But the popularity of the NBA helped buffer New Jersey sportsbooks more than in most other legal states, spurring enough action to push the nation’s largest sports betting market past $15 billion in lifetime handle, $1 billion in revenue, and $150 million in tax revenue, according to PlayNJ, which tracks the state’s regulated online gaming and sports betting market.

“Considering the challenges, particularly in 2020, $15 billion in wagering and $1 billion in revenue are incredible yard sticks that really drive home just how successful the New Jersey market has been,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for PlayNJ.com. “At least until New York launches its sports betting industry, New Jersey seems untouchable as the nation’s largest market.”

New Jersey’s sportsbooks accepted $748 million in wagers in April, according to official data released Friday. That is down 13% from $859.6 million in March, but up 1,270.1% over the $54.6 million in bets taken in April 2020, the first full month sportsbooks were affected by pandemic-related shutdowns.

Operator revenue dropped 9.9% to $54.8 million in April from $60.8 million in March. Compared with April 2020, which resulted in just $2.6 million, revenue was up 1,981.9% year over year. April’s action yielded $8.1 million in state taxes.

From 2018 through April 2020, New Jersey sportsbooks have generated:

$15.2 billion in handle.
$1.04 billion in sport betting revenue.
$151.4 million in state taxes.
April’s results are microcosm of the consistency that has helped make New Jersey the nation’s top sports betting market. While New Jersey’s volume declined from March, the month-over-month drop in wagering was less pronounced than other U.S. betting markets, including Colorado (-18%), Indiana (-25.4%), Iowa (-26.7%), and Michigan (-30.5%).

The popularity of the NBA and baseball in New Jersey was a key reason, as area bettors were particularly motivated by the success of the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks. In all, basketball betting produced $176.2 million in bets, which was down from the $441.7 million tallied during March Madness. Baseball’s first month was the second-most popular bet in April, generating $159.3 million.

“New Jersey is unique in that it has never been quite as reliant on football as other legal jurisdictions,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayNJ.com. “NBA has always been particularly popular. Add that the region’s three most popular teams are all enjoying relatively strong seasons, and New Jersey sportsbooks have so far been able to smooth the natural seasonal decline that begins in April.”

Even with retail restrictions loosening in Atlantic City, online betting accounted for 91.1%, or $681.2 million, of the state’s total handle in April. FanDuel Sportsbook/PointsBet topped the online market with $25.5 million in gross revenue, down from $28.5 million in March.

FanDuel was followed in revenue by:

Resorts Digital/DraftKings/Fox Bet ($12 million, down from $14.1 million in March)
BetMGM/Borgata ($5.2 million, down from $6.5 million)
Ocean Casino/William Hill ($1.8 million, down from $2.8 million)
Monmouth/William Hill/SugarHouse/TheScore ($1.8 million, down from $2.2 million)
Hard Rock/Bet365/Unibet ($1.3 million, down from $1.4 million)
Golden Nugget/BetAmerica ($202,545, up from $111,453)
Tropicana/William Hill ($52,922, down from $142,633)
Caesars Sportsbook/888sport (-$183,283, down from $721,776)
Meanwhile retail sportsbooks generated $66.8 million in wagering, down from $79.5 million in March and a stark difference from the complete shutdown of retail betting in 2020. Meadowlands/FanDuel led all retail books with $3.6 million in revenue in April.

“Retail betting is slowly returning to normal, and that could become even more pronounced when all capacity restrictions are lifted next week,” Gouker said. “That won’t make a major difference for online sportsbooks, which are overwhelmingly preferred by bettors. But it could have an impact on online casino revenue, which made a massive and sustained jump since pandemic-related restrictions began last year.”

Online casinos and poker

Online casinos and poker rooms enjoyed another month of whopping revenue with $107.7 million in April, which was up 34.8% from $80 million in April 2020, though off from the record $113.7 million generated in March. April marked the third time in four months that New Jersey’s online casinos and poker rooms have produced more than $100 million in revenue, the only three months any state has crossed the threshold.

For the second consecutive month, Borgata, which includes the BetMGM brand, wrestled the market lead away from years-long market leader Golden Nugget. But only slightly. Borgata won $32.8 million in revenue on online casino games and poker in April, a dramatic increase from $15.9 million in revenue in April 2020 even if revenue was down from $36.2 million in March. Golden Nugget was second with $32.4 million in revenue, up from $26.7 million in April 2020 and up from $31.8 million in March. Resorts Digital, which includes the FoxBet and DraftKings brands, was third with $19.6 million in April, up from $16.1 million in April 2020 but down from $21.4 million in March.

“The battle for market supremacy was something that would have been hard to predict before the pandemic, but 2020 has really shaken up the way people interact with casino games, perhaps forever,” Ramsey said. “With restrictions in Atlantic City going away, though, this could mark the ceiling of the online market. But a more reasonable expectation is a moderation of the exponential growth that began in spring 2020, rather than an end to it.”

Other highlights from April report:

Online casinos and poker generated $3.6 million per day in the 30 days of April, down from the record $3.7 million per day in March and up from $2.7 million in April 2020.
Online casinos and poker rooms generated $18.9 million in state and local taxes.
Online casinos accounted for $105.3 million of April’s revenue, up 40.8% from $74.8 million in April 2020.
Online poker generated $2.4 million, down 53.3% from $5.1 million in April 2020.
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting and online gaming in New Jersey, visit PlayNJ.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 produce original daily 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.

Brooke Hilton Head of Casino at PointsBet Canada

Ezugi and PointsBet join forces to bring expanded live gaming to Ontario

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

ezugi-and-pointsbet-join-forces-to-bring-expanded-live-gaming-to-ontario

Ezugi is excited to unveil a new collaboration with PointsBet, a leading iGaming operator in Canada.

As a division of Evolution since 2018, Ezugi keeps enhancing its foothold in the live gaming sector. This partnership will see Ezugi’s localized and unique live-dealer games incorporated into PointsBet’s online casino in Ontario through Evolution’s One Stop Shop (OSS) platform.

Established in Australia in 2015 and later branching into North America, PointsBet has quickly emerged as one of Ontario’s most rapidly expanding iGaming companies. Known for its cutting-edge sportsbook and growing casino offerings, PointsBet is committed to delivering an outstanding player experience, prioritizing Responsible Gaming to create a safe and secure space for every user.

Through this partnership, PointsBet Ontario customers will access Ezugi’s innovative live casino offerings, which include popular games like Canada Blackjack, EZ Baccarat, and Ultimate Roulette. These titles effortlessly integrate reliable, real-time live gaming with engaging digital elements that greatly attract North American players.

Brooke Hilton, Head of Casino at PointsBet Canada, said: “We’re excited to partner with Ezugi to bring their innovative live-dealer games to our Ontario players. This integration via Evolution’s platform enhances our casino offerings with dynamic, localised titles like Canada Blackjack and Ultimate Roulette, ensuring a premium, responsible gaming experience that aligns with our commitment to player safety and enjoyment.”

James Smith, Commercial Strategy Manager at Ezugi, said: “We are thrilled to team up with PointsBet in Ontario. We recognise Ontario as a key growth region and this partnership with a top tier operator marks an important step in our mission to bring Ezugi’s unique & exciting live casino content to the forefront for players in North America.”

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Canada

Fennica Gaming Expands its Partnership with Loto-Québec by Launching eInstant Games

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

fennica-gaming-expands-its-partnership-with-loto-quebec-by-launching-einstant-games

Building on the momentum of its successful market entry, Fennica Gaming announced the expansion of its partnership with Loto-Québec by launching also its portfolio of eInstant games. This second phase follows the recent successful launch of Fennica Gaming’s online casino games, making its full suite of innovative online games available to players on Loto-Québec’s digital platform, the only legal online gaming offer in the province of Québec.

The launch of the eInstant portfolio completes the initial offering, delivering a diverse and engaging gaming experience designed with Fennica Gaming’s signature player-first approach. The move solidifies Fennica Gaming’s commitment to the Canadian market and its strategy of building long-term, sustainable partnerships with regulated lotteries and operators.

“Launching our casino games was the first step; following it up swiftly with our eInstants is about delivering on our promise. Our partnership with Loto-Québec is built on shared values of responsibility and providing engaging, high-quality entertainment. This isn’t just a content drop; it’s a commitment to our partner’s long-term success and to bringing fresh, reliable gaming experiences to the players in Québec,” said Joni Hovi, SVP of Customers and Marketing at Fennica Gaming.

“Our eInstants are designed with a Nordic innovativeness; they are intuitive, visually engaging, and extremely entertaining – built for sustainable fun. We’ve added the best of mobile gaming expertise, seasoned it with a high-quality, player-centric experience. We are confident that this creative energy offers a distinct flavour that will stand out and connect with players in Québec,” said Kirsi Lagus, SVP of Portfolio and Product Development.

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Canada

CGA Announces Leadership Evolution and 2026 Board of Directors

Published

1 week ago

January 14, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

cga-announces-leadership-evolution-and-2026-board-of-directors

Amanda Brewer becomes Senior Vice President of Policy & Communications and Brandon Aboultaif becomes Vice President of Western Canada; Salim Adatia (GLI) and Mike Maodus (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP) join the CGA Board as Scott Vanderwel (PointsBet Canada) is appointed Chair.

Amanda Brewer has joined the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) as Senior Vice President of Policy and Communications, and Brandon Aboultaif has assumed the position of Vice President for Western Canada.

Amanda has served as a consultant to the Association for over 15 years, playing a pivotal role in achieving numerous CGA milestones. “I am confident she will apply her enthusiasm and expertise to this new position, which more precisely aligns with her ongoing contributions on behalf of our members,” said Paul Burns, President and CEO, CGA. Amanda remains actively engaged in AML and advertising bill initiatives in Ottawa, along with the Alberta consultation process, where the Association is collaborating with the Government of Alberta and AGLC to prepare the province for its iGaming market launch.

Brandon is the former Press Secretary to Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction and will be a great addition to the CGA. “With the Alberta market soon opening, it has been an important goal to expand our presence into the western part of the country,” added Mr. Burns. His key responsibilities include advancing industry research and education initiatives, supporting member engagement across Western Canada, and fostering collaboration on responsible gaming, innovation, and market development initiatives that strengthen Canada’s gaming ecosystem.

In addition, Salim Adatia, Managing Director, Canada for Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, and Mike Maodus, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, have joined the CGA’s Board of Directors, and Scott Vanderwel, CEO for PointsBet Canada, becomes the Association’s new Chair.

The full 2026 board is as follows:

Salim Adatia, Gaming Laboratories International, LLC
Bruce Caughill, Rush Street Interactive
Peter Czegeldy, Aird & Berlis LLP
Neil Erlick, Nuvei
Kurt Gissane, Aristocrat
Charmaine Hogan, Playtech
Dale Hooper, FanDuel
Chuck Keeling, Great Canadian Entertainment
Mike Maodus, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Terry McInally, Gateway Entertainment
Niaz Nejad, Non-Member Director
Derek Ramm, Kinectify
Lindsay Slader, GeoComply
Richard Taylor, Niagara Casinos
Shane Thompson, Konami
Scott Vanderwel, PointsBet Canada (Chair)
Scott Woodgate, BetMGM

We are also pleased to welcome three past chairs as Emeritus members of the board:

Ilkim Hincer, IC360
Carrie Kormos, CK Consulting Inc
Bob Parente, Light & Wonder

“Amanda and Brandon have joined the CGA as full-time members to oversee several important national campaigns,” stated Scott Vanderwel, Chair of the Board. “We are also pleased to welcome Salim and Mike to the Board. The Board has worked closely with Paul over recent years to advance the Association’s leadership and board structure. We have full confidence in Amanda and Brandon as they step into these key roles, as well as in the valuable contributions that Salim and Mike are expected to bring as we prepare for an active 2026 workload.”

Mr. Burns stated that the newly announced executive and Board appointments will strengthen CGA’s position and support its expansion into Western Canada. “Amanda brings extensive CGA experience, while Brandon contributes knowledge of government policy at both federal and provincial levels. Coupled with our enhanced Board, I am confident they will help drive CGA’s objectives and ongoing growth.”

Source: canadiangaming.ca

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