Betting News Archives

January 3, 2023

BGC highlights World Cup ad decline as Gambling Act review looms

UK trade body the Betting and Gaming Council noted that the number of betting ads fell from 167 to 110 in the 2022 Fifa World Cup compared to the previous tournament, as the Gambling Act review approaches.

According to new data referred to by the BGC, there has been a 34% decline in the number of ads being shown on ITV from 2018 to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This year’s average comes out to 4.5 ads per live match, while 2018’s average is almost double that at 8.35.

The BGC notes that this reduction is due to the voluntary “whistle-to-whistle” ad ban that prohibits television betting ads from being shown from five minutes before the match begins to five minutes after it completes, before the 9pm watershed.

According to a report cited by the Betting and Gaming Council, this ban, introduced in 2019, “had led to a 97% reduction in the number of such ads being seen by children at that time”.

The BGC also highlighted the commitment to safer gambling practices within its members’ advert..

January 3, 2023

Nevada gambling revenue slips to $1.22bn in November

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) reported a 7.6% year-on-year decline in gambling revenue for November, though statewide revenue exceeded $1.00bn (£833.8m/€946.8m) for the 21st consecutive month.

Revenue for the month amounted to $1.22bn, which was down from $1.32bn in November of 2021 and also 4.7% lower than $1.28bn in October 2022.

Slots remained the primary source of revenue in Nevada, with revenue from the machines amounting to $871.1m, up 1.3% year-on-year. Multi-denomination slot machines generated for $460.8m in revenue, with penny slots at $300.6m.

Read the full story on iGB North America

January 3, 2023

Ohio launches legal sports betting

Legal sports betting has launched in Ohio, with a number of major brands going live on 1 January.

Ohio set out a 1 January 2023 launch date for sports betting in a bill agreed by conference between both houses of its legislature.

Among the operators going live in the state on launch day were national market leaders, FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings, European businesses Bet365 and Tipico and startups Betr and Prophet.

Ohio is set to represent a major opportunity to operators and suppliers as the seventh-most populous US state, with 11.8 million residents.

“Today marks a monumental day of growth for both BetMGM and the sports betting industry,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “Ohio is home to thousands of passionate sports fans, who now have the opportunity to enjoy first-hand the excitement and benefits of wagering with BetMGM.”

Read the full story on iGB North America

January 3, 2023

Top Sport handed another fine in Lithuania

Lithuania’s Gambling Supervisory Authority has issued Top Sport with another fine after it was again found to have breached regulations in the country regarding CCTV at its retail betting facilities.

Top Sport was fined €15,000 (£13,273/$15,854) over the improper installation of a digital video recording system at a betting and slots location in Vilnius.

During an inspection, the Authority found that the image quality of videos was poor and the actions of employees working at the cash desk in the facility were not clearly visible in the footage.

The Authority also said that the way the video cameras were installed meant it was not always possible to see how much money was being paid in by and out to customers.

This, the regulator said, was in breach of Article 15, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Lithuanian Law on Gambling.

In addition, the Authority said certain parts of video recording at the betting facility were not saved, which constituted a further breach of regulations, namely P..

January 3, 2023

PointsBet in talks to sell Australia arm to News Corp venture

PointsBet is in discussions to sell its Australian arm to NTD Limited, the News Corp-led business behind Australia’s Betr brand.

PointsBet revealed last week – following a report in The Australian – that it was in discussions to sell its Australian business to NTD Pty Limited.

NTD is a venture set up this year involving media conglomerate News Corp, investment fund Tekkorp Capital and long-time industry executive Matt Tripp and operates the Australia-facing Betr brand. Another operator named Betr launched in the US this year, but the two are unrelated.

PointsBet said “any potential transaction will be assessed in the context of PointsBet’s global strategy and opportunities”.

Murdoch family-owned News Corp are among the parties involved in Ntd Pty Limited

“Discussions between PointsBet and NTD are incomplete and preliminary in nature,” it said. “There is no certainty that these discussions will result in any binding transaction.

“PointsBet will keep the market updated in accordan..

December 21, 2022

Delaware igaming slips to nine-month low in November

Online gambling revenue in Delaware fell to a nine-month low in November, while sports betting revenue also declined month-on-month.

Revenue from igaming in November amounted to $987,423, down 0.9% from $987,423 last year and 17.6% behind $1.2m in October. The monthly figure was also the lowest since the $843,247 generated in February this year.

Of this total, $803,671 came from video lottery games, with $149,443 generated by internet table games and the remaining $34,319 from poker rake and fees.

Read the full story on iGB North America

December 21, 2022

2022 World Cup breaks betting records, thanks in part to US growth

Betting across the 2022 Fifa World Cup increased by 13% from 2018’s tournament according to OpenBet, while GeoComply noted the final was surpassed only by the Super Bowl in the US.

OpenBet said its performance among European players broke a record, with an engagement level increase of 22%. Canada, a joint host for the 2026 World Cup, recorded a 21% increase for the same metric, also setting a record.

Canada will share hosting duties with the US and Mexico, where the tournament will return to being played over the summer. The Qatar World Cup was organised for November and December due to inhospitable temperatures in June and July.

In North America, OpenBet said World Cup betting was more than double the size of the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments.

It also found that more 12 million bets were placed on the US team during the World Cup, garnering more than $100m (£82.3m/€94.1m) in stakes.

“Alongside a strong performance in Europe, the growth we have seen in North Ameri..

December 21, 2022

Industry insiders say New York Times series paints unfair picture

State lawmakers and stakeholders in the gaming industry have taken aim at the New York Times for its critical reporting on the expansion of US sports betting just as the industry met in Las Vegas to discuss best practices related to responsible and problem gaming. By Buck Wargo.

In late November, the New York Times, in a year-long investigation, outlined how the industry lobbied state officials with gifts and contributed millions in campaign donations to spur expansion after the repeal of PASPA in 2018.

The series depicted how ads on television and websites for making bets had become unavoidable and outlined the consequences to public health, taxpayers and the sports world.

The Times wrote that lawmakers gave out tax exemptions, which ultimately subsidised operators’ luring of patrons with free bets and other promotions, and found promises of tax revenue haven’t materialised.

When it comes to responsible gaming, the New York Times said the industry has been “creative in devising wa..

December 21, 2022

Brentford star Toney faces further FA charges over betting rule breaches

The English Football Association (FA) has issued more charges against Brentford striker Ivan Toney after uncovering further breaches of its betting rules.

Last month, Toney was charged with a breach of FA Rule E8, which states any player, match official or coach must not bet, either directly or indirectly, on any matters related to football anywhere in the world.

Toney was initially found to have breached this rule 232 times between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021 – a period in which he was playing in leagues outside of the top tier Premier League in England.

Ahead of being issued with charges, Toney confirmed that he had been helping the FA with its investigation.

Following further investigation by the FA, the body now alleges that Toney breached this rule an additional 30 times between 14 March 2017 and 18 February 2019.

The striker is yet to publicly respond to the latest charge, but has until 4 January 2023 to provide a formal response.

Brentford FC acknowledged the char..