The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has released its sports betting report for October 2025, revealing a record-breaking month for the Grand Canyon State. Total wagers reached approximately $967.1 million, marking a significant 22.2% increase year-over-year and a 13.6% jump from September 2025.

This performance solidified Arizona’s position as a top-tier U.S. betting market, ranking 6th nationally in total handle for the month, just behind Pennsylvania.

October 2025 Performance Breakdown

The surge in betting activity was driven almost entirely by mobile operators, which accounted for 99.4% of the total handle.

• Total Handle: $967,141,269 (New State Record)

• Mobile Wagers: $961.4 Million

• Retail Wagers: $5.7 Million

• Gross Revenue: $82.0 Million (Before promotional deductions)

• Privilege Fees (Taxes): $5.2 Million collected by the state.

Top Operators by Market Share

The “Big Three” continue to dominate the Arizona landscape, with FanDuel and DraftKings locked in a tight battle for the top spot.

Note: While FanDuel led in total amount wagered (handle), DraftKings reported the highest adjusted revenue for the month at $22.7 million.

Fiscal Year-to-Date (FY26) Summary

Through the first four months of the 2026 fiscal year (July–October), Arizona has generated substantial revenue for state funds:

• Total Privilege Fees: $20.7 Million

• Event Wagering Fees: $20.2 Million

• Fantasy Sports Fees: $462,576

The ADG also noted its continued focus on player protection, recently launching the “Too Young to Bet AZ” initiative to combat underage gambling and revoking Underdog Fantasy’s license due to concerns over its prediction market offerings.

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Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game

Scientific Games, the global leader in lottery games, has officially launched GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE. Announced on January 6, 2026, this new omnichannel “Linked Game” leverages the massive brand equity of three iconic Fremantle television properties to offer players across the United States a chance to win up to $10 million in cash.

This launch follows the company’s proven strategy of combining retail tickets with digital second-chance opportunities to drive incremental sales for state lotteries.

The Brands: TV’s Powerhouse Lineup

The promotion features a “triple-threat” of game show nostalgia and modern popularity, specifically chosen after a 2025 consumer study confirmed their high purchase intent across all demographics:

• THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Television’s longest-running game show, celebrated for over five decades of Emmy-winning entertainment.

• FAMILY FEUD: Currently the #1 rated syndicated show for adults 25-54, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

• PRESS YOUR LUCK: A high-stakes favorite known for the legendary “Whammy” and strategic gameplay.

The Prize: An Exclusive Hollywood Experience

Lucky winners from participating U.S. lotteries will be awarded a “Linked Game” experiential prize package that takes them to the heart of the entertainment world:

• Host City: Los Angeles, California.

• Date: Fall 2027.

• The Trip: A five-day, four-night “white glove” experience in the entertainment capital.

• The Highlight: Winners will attend a live taping of The Price is Right as special guests.

• The Event: Following the taping, the lottery winners will take center stage on the iconic set for a private GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE event, where they will compete for a share of up to $10 million.

Omnichannel Strategy and Market Impact

Scientific Games pioneered the “Linked Game” concept in 2007. To date, these programs—including hits like Willy Wonka and Deal or No Deal—have generated more than US$6.6 billion in retail value.

“The incredibly broad appeal of these classic TV game show brands makes the GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE a perfect promotion for lottery, bringing to life the surprise, joy, and wins that players love,” said Tina Hoover, VP of Licensing for Scientific Games.

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BetHero has officially announced the public launch of its mobile-first engagement layer, a strategic solution designed to address the iGaming industry’s most pressing twin challenges: skyrocketing acquisition costs and record-high player churn.

Already gaining massive momentum, BetHero has secured commercial agreements with several global operators and has been named a finalist for Mobile Sports Product of the Year at the 2026 International Gaming Awards.

Solving the “Leaky Bucket” Problem

In 2026, the iGaming market is more competitive than ever. Traditional sportsbooks and casinos are struggling with “leaky buckets”—spending heavily to acquire users only to lose them to complex interfaces or a lack of engagement.

BetHero’s platform is engineered to “plug the leaks” by introducing a simplified interaction model specifically for casual users. It integrates into existing tech stacks in just a few days, either as an add-on to a sportsbook or a turnkey entry point for casinos looking to offer sports betting without a full custom build.

“We didn’t want to tell the market that BetHero is different — we wanted to show it,” said Logan MacGillivray, CEO of BetHero. “Operators need immediate solutions… BetHero gives them a new solution to solve those challenges by helping them bring in more players and keeping them active longer.”

Core Features of the BetHero Platform

BetHero acts as a white-labeled engagement layer that matches an operator’s specific brand and regulatory compliance needs.

• Mobile-Native UI: Designed for high speed and extreme ease of use, removing the friction typically found in “data-heavy” betting apps.

• Social Mechanics: Features designed to drive sharing and community-led engagement, a key trend for the Gen-Z and Millennial demographics in 2026.

• Free-to-Play (F2P) Entry: Low-barrier experiences that allow players to build confidence before naturally converting to real-money play.

• Turnkey Flexibility: Can be deployed as a stand-alone layer for casinos or integrated into a complex sportsbook ecosystem.

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