Canada

SPORTS WAGERING IN IOWA SLIDES FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH

Published

5 years ago

June 11, 2021

Iowa’s sports betting volume dropped slightly in May and remained well below the market’s peak reached in March. The modest downtick in wagering to less than $115 million is a fresh reminder that it likely won’t be until football season before Iowa’s sports betting industry sees significant growth again, according to analysts from PlayIA, which tracks the state’s regulated online gaming and sports betting market.

“There is no avoiding a summer slowdown, but Iowa’s sportsbooks are in a remarkably better position than this time last year when there was still so much uncertainty,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIA.com. “Sportsbooks will continue to be innovative this summer in an effort to keep bettors engaged with the remaining NBA season, baseball, and other sports, including the Olympics. Contrast that to last summer when most were in survival mode.”

Bettors placed $114.9 million in wagers at Iowa sportsbooks in May, according to official data released Thursday. That is down 2.9% from the $118.4 million in bets generated in April, and well short of the record $161.4 million in wagers in March. Betting fell to $3.7 million per day over the 31 days in May from $3.9 million over the 30 days in April.

Net operator revenue reached $6.1 million in May, down from $7.7 million in April. That resulted in $414,175 in tax revenue.

This is the second consecutive month-over-month decline for Iowa, which isn’t a surprise. In April, all but one U.S. legal sports betting jurisdiction reported a month-over-month decline, including all of the nation’s 10 largest markets. Of those, only Nevada (-29.1%) and Michigan (-30.5%) experienced a larger dip from March to April than Iowa’s 26.7% decline.

“Iowa is more driven by college athletics than the majority of the largest markets in the U.S., so the end of college basketball season was bound to have an outsized effect,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayIA.com. “But a surge by the Cubs and White Sox in May was a big help for sportsbooks. If both teams can remain relevant this summer, it should really be a boost ahead of football season.”

$99.9 million in bets were made online in May, representing 87% of the state’s overall handle. That is down from 88.3% of the state’s handle in April. Retail betting accounted for the remaining $15.0 million, up from $13.8 million in April.

William Hill, which 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 — led the market again with $37.6 million in wagers, including $35.3 million in online wagers. William Hill’s combined retail and online handle was down from $39.1 million in April and produced $1.1 million in net receipts.

Wild Rose, which includes DraftKings and BetRivers, was second with $33.8 million in online and retail wagering. That is down from $34.6 million in April. $33.5 million of those bets were made online. Wild Rose led the market with $1.4 million in net receipts.

Fueled by FanDuel and BetMGM, Diamond Jo took in $27.6 million in combined wagers, which included $24.3 million in online wagering. The combined bets led to a market-leading $2.5 million in net receipts.

“New operators will be pushing to launch ahead of football season, which will shake up the market a bit,” Welman said. “But for the moment, it appears the market leaders in Iowa are entrenched.”

For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Iowa, visit PlayIA.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 and its state-focused branches, including PlayIA.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.

Canada

PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino and theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino Standalone Apps in Alberta

Published

1 day ago

July 17, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

penn-entertainment-launches-thescore-bet-sportsbook-&-casino-and-thescore-casino-and-hollywood-casino-standalone-apps-in-alberta

PENN Entertainment has announced the launch of theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino in Alberta, as well as theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino standalone apps, further expanding the Company’s Canadian online gaming footprint and bringing its leading digital gaming brands to players across the province. These apps are now available across Alberta on iOS, Android, and are also available on the web.

The Alberta launch marks the next chapter in theScore Bet’s continued growth in Canada, building on its success in Ontario. Players in Alberta can now enjoy the uniquely integrated sports media and betting experience from two of Canada’s most trusted brands, theScore and theScore Bet, bringing live scores, news, stats, and betting together in one connected ecosystem.

In addition to sports betting, theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino gives Alberta players access to a comprehensive online casino experience featuring hundreds of slots, table games, live dealer experiences, and exclusive games, including Blue Jays Blackjack.

Complementing theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino experience, PENN is also launching standalone Hollywood Casino and theScore Casino apps in Alberta. Hollywood Casino, a popular online and retail casino brand, delivers a casino-first experience featuring an extensive portfolio of slots, table games, and live dealer content. For players who prefer a dedicated casino app, theScore Casino offers the same premium gaming experience, providing additional choice alongside the all-in-one theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino app.

“Alberta has an incredible sports culture, and we’re excited to bring theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino to players across the province. Fans already know and trust theScore, and with theScore Bet, we’re extending that connection into a seamless sportsbook and casino experience. Whether you’re following your favorite team, placing a bet, or enjoying casino games, we’ve built the experience around the way fans naturally engage with sports. We commend the Alberta government for introducing a regulated online gaming market for private operators and look forward to serving fans in one of Canada’s great sports markets,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment.

Alberta customers can now enjoy:

• Same Game Parlays, player props, and live in-game betting.

• Seamless betting integration with theScore’s trusted sports news, scores, and data.

• Hollywood Casino’s extensive portfolio of slots, table games, and live dealer experiences, including Blue Jays Blackjack, the Dancing Drums series, and Sweet Bonanza series.

The post PENN Entertainment Launches theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino and theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino Standalone Apps in Alberta appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

Play’n GO goes live in Alberta iGaming with 10+ operators

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

play’n-go-goes-live-in-alberta-igaming-with-10+-operators

Supplier expands to its third regulated Canadian province after Ontario and Québec, launching on Alberta’s market opening week.

Play’n GO has entered the newly regulated Alberta iGaming market, launching its casino games with more than ten licensed operators on the market’s opening week, the supplier said on 16 July 2026.

The Alberta rollout marks Play’n GO’s third regulated Canadian province, following Ontario and Québec, and extends the company’s North American regulated-market footprint.

According to the company, its content was made available in Alberta for the first time on launch day via a network of licensed operators.

Esteban Perez, New Market Entry Lead at Play’n GO said: “Entering Alberta with more than 10 operators on day one of regulation is a significant milestone for Play’n GO and a testament to the strength of our regulated market strategy. Canada continues to be a key focus for us, and expanding into our third province reflects both the demand for our content and the strength of our partnerships with licensed operators.

“We are proud to support Alberta’s regulated market with a portfolio that prioritises entertainment, compliance and long-term sustainability.”

The post Play’n GO goes live in Alberta iGaming with 10+ operators appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

Play’n GO strengthens Canadian footprint with Alberta iGaming market entry

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-strengthens-canadian-footprint-with-alberta-igaming-market-entry

The Swedish gaming giant confirms its entry into its third regulated Canadian Province with its industry leading portfolio of games now available in Alberta for the first time

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, today announced its successful entry into the newly regulated Alberta iGaming market, with a wide range of its premium content going live with more than ten licensed operators on market launch day this week.

The milestone further reinforces Play’n GO’s commitment to regulated market expansion across North America and marks the company’s third Canadian province, following established operations in Ontario and Québec.

Play’n GO’s launch in Alberta ensures players have immediate access to a portfolio of world-class titles from day one of the market’s regulated opening. By partnering with a broad network of licensed operators at launch, the company has solidified its position as a trusted supplier in newly regulated jurisdictions.

The Alberta rollout builds on Play’n GO’s strong track record of working alongside regulators and operators to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality entertainment to players, while supporting sustainable market growth.

“We are proud to support Alberta’s regulated market with a portfolio that prioritises entertainment, compliance and long-term sustainability.”

To find out more about Play’n GO, please visit playngo.com

The post Play’n GO strengthens Canadian footprint with Alberta iGaming market entry appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.