Canada
PlayPennsylvania.com: Sportsbooks make first betting volume gains since March

The return of football helped Pennsylvania sportsbooks post their first month-over-month increase in betting volume since March with nearly $350 million in wagers in August. The gain sets the stage for what could be a record-shattering fall for the state’s sportsbooks as online casinos and poker rooms continue their own torrid pace, according to PlayPennsylvania, which tracks regulated online gaming and sports betting in the state.
“August’s sports schedule is still relatively light compared with the fall, so it is welcome to see betting volume move off the low we saw in July,” said Valerie Cross, analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “The next four months is the most important stretch of the year for sportsbooks, though, and every sign points toward a stretch of widespread growth.”
Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks accepted $348.5 million in wagers in August, down 4.5% from $365.0 million in August 2020 but up 14.5% from $304.4 million in July, according to official data released Monday. August marked the first month since March, when sportsbooks took in $560.3 million in wagers, that the combined handle topped the previous month’s handle.
Gross gaming revenue fell 8.3% to $25.3 million from $27.6 million in August 2020 and fell 7.9% from $27.5 million in July. August produced $18.0 million in taxable revenue, generating $6.1 million in state taxes and $360,145 in local share assessments.
The gains in August were likely in part a product of increasing interest in baseball, especially as the Philadelphia Phillies remained in postseason contention. But a handful of college and NFL preseason games, in addition to futures betting on football, undoubtedly helped boost bettors’ interest.
“An inglorious exit from the NBA playoffs, the struggles of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the inconsistency of the Phillies, conspired to make this a relatively slow summer for Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayPennsylvania.com. “It took just a handful of games in August to show how important football is to the sports-betting industry.”
Bettors made $318.1 million in wagers at the state’s online sportsbooks, representing 91.3% of the state’s total handle. FanDuel led all online operators with $135.7 million in wagering, up 27.1% from $106.7 million in July. FanDuel’s online revenue fell 54% to $5.7 million in August from $12.3 million in July, yielding $3.0 million in taxable revenue.
DraftKings was second in the state with $80.4 million in wagers, up 21.4% from $66.2 million in July. That yielded $8.0 million in gross revenue and $6.6 million in taxable revenue. BetMGM was third in the state with $29.0 million in wagers and $2.5 million in gross revenue.
Penn National’s Barstool-branded app attracted $26.3 million in wagers creating $2.1 million in gross revenue and $1.6 million in taxable revenue.
The online leaders were followed by:
- BetRivers ($13.2 million handle, down from $14.5 million; $882,274 GGR, down from $1.3 million)
- SugarHouse ($10.3 million handle, up from $9 million; $692,350 in GGR, up from $680,099)
- Fox Bet ($8.6 million handle, down from $10 million; $746,103 in GGR, up from $709,376)
- Parx Casino ($6.4 million handle, down from $7.9 million; $713,282 GGR, down from $745,087)
- Unibet ($4.2 million handle, down from $4.5 million; $307,601 GGR, down from $316,936)
- TwinSpires ($2.3 million handle, up from $2.1 million; $147,448 GGR, down from $179,276)
- Caesars ($1.2 million handle, up from $947,532; $73,785 GGR, up from -$126,967)
- Betway ($617,954 handle; up from $563,481; $18,818 GGR, up from -$32,239)
- Wind Creek ($521,601 handle, up/down from $406,259; $78,195 GGR, up from $6,284)
Meanwhile, retail sportsbooks accepted $30.4 million in wagers in August, up from $29.0 million in July. Those wagers created $3.3 million in gross gaming revenue, up 22.8% from $2.7 million in July. Rivers Philadelphia topped the retail market with $5.1 million in bets, ahead of Rivers Pittsburgh’s $4.4 million handle.
“Revenue generation is important this time of year, too, but football is often a springboard for operators to build relationships with new customers,” Gouker said. “This is why operators are aggressive with their football-related promotional offerings and advertising campaigns, particularly around the opening weeks of the season. It’s also a time when giants such as FanDuel and DraftKings really can exploit their resource advantage over smaller operators.”
Online casinos and poker
Online casinos and poker rooms posted their sixth consecutive month with gross gaming revenue over $100 million with $103.2 million in August. That was up 54.8% from $66.7 million in August 2020, though down 1.2% from $104.5 million in July.
Gross revenue was whittled to $88.7 million in taxable revenue, which was even with July. August’s win yielded $39.4 million in state and local taxes. Wagering at online casino games remained brisk, hitting $3.2 billion in August, which was also even with July.
“While sportsbooks ebb and flow with the seasons, the growth at online casinos has been consistent and relentless,” Cross said. “As the weather cools, that growth should continue. There are no signs yet that point to any kind of slowdown on the immediate horizon.”
Other highlights from August:
- Online casino and poker rooms generated $3.3 million in gross gaming revenue per day over the 31 days of August, down from $3.4 million per day in July.
- Penn National, which includes the DraftKings, BetMGM, Barstool, and Hollywood casinos, led the market once again with $35.1 million in gross revenue. Rivers Philadelphia, which includes SugarHouse, Borgata, and BetRivers casinos, was second with $30.8 million.
- On the strength of the first full month of the World Series of Poker, poker generated $3.2 million in revenue, up from $2.7 million in August 2020. Mount Airy/PokerStars topped operators with $1.9 million in revenue.
For more information, visit www.playpennsylvania.com/news.
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Canada
ELK Studios Expands Partnership with SkillOnNet to Ontario Market

PlayOJO, SlotsMagic and SpinGenie to carry ELK Studios’ games in Ontario
Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet and innovative Swedish game creator Elk Studios have cemented their longstanding partnership with the launch of ELK’s groundbreaking portfolio in the Ontario market.
ELK Studios is responsible for some of the industry’s most innovative and engaging online casino games. Now, players at SkillOnNet’s Ontario-licensed casinos, PlayOJO, SlotsMagic and SpinGenie, will be able to experience the feature-packed delights of hit titles like Nitropolis, Tinkerbot and Pirot, as well as new release Orbitfall, and the studio’s signature X-iter and CollectR mechanics.
The expansion marks a milestone for ELK Studios as it continues to grow its footprint in regulated markets worldwide. SkillOnNet recently successfully launched the studio’s portfolio in the Spanish and Mexican markets through its Spanish-language brands and expects the studio’s games to make a similarly immediate impact with Ontario players.
Ontario has become a hugely important growth market since the province launched regulated online gaming in 2022. It was worth $2.4 billion in 2024, with $63 billion in wagering, the lion’s share coming from online casinos.
Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet said: “ELK Studios is known for its high-quality games that blend unique storytelling and humour with high levels of engagement and playability, which is why we’re delighted to introduce them to Ontario. We believe they will perform successfully, as they have in other markets around the world.”
Vaida Cirtautaite, CCO at ELK Studios said: “SkillOnNet has been an invaluable partner in our growth journey, and we are thrilled to expand our collaboration into Ontario. We’re excited to bring our innovative games to a new wave of players in this dynamic market.”
The post ELK Studios Expands Partnership with SkillOnNet to Ontario Market appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application
Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.
As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.
Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.
In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.
Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”
Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”
The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetVictor
BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign

BetVictor Canada has launched its new out-of-home advertising campaign across the streets of Toronto to promote NBA legend Tracy McGrady as its Safer Gambling Ambassador.
Two mobile digital trucks strategically targeting high-traffic areas near Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and major sporting events will provide prime audience exposure for the campaign, scheduled around Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Toronto Blue Jays home games.
To further enhance the campaign’s reach, BetVictor Canada has partnered with Clear Media Group to leverage digital taxi tops across Toronto, providing city-wide exposure with 100 taxis displaying key brand messaging. These digital taxi tops will run during peak evening hours (5:00pm – 9:00pm) on select dates until April 5th, 2025.
The campaign coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide grassroots campaign held each March that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
BetVictor Canada offers an array of tools and services to help its Canadian customers bet and play safely and responsibly, across a host of sports betting markets and online casino games.
Mark Harper, Head of Emerging Markets at BV Group, said: “BetVictor is delighted to be participating in the National Council of Problem Gambling campaign in March, to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the need to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services.
“In using our Safer Gambling Ambassador, Tracy McGrady, to raise awareness about BetVictor’s safer gambling tools such as loss limits, time alerts and product restrictions we are dedicated to ensuring all players have a safe gambling experience. #PGAM2025.”
The post BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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