Betting News Archives

October 7, 2022

DraftKings shares rocket after reported “large new partnership” with ESPN

US-based sports betting operator DraftKings’ shares rose 14% to $18.26 in after-hours trading following report of “large new partnership” with Disney’s sports broadcasting arm ESPN.

Business news agency Bloomberg broke the story overnight, reporting that “people familiar with the matter” had indicated the existence of such a partnership.

In the wake of the story, DraftKings’ shares briefly jumped 14% to $18.26 per share in after-hours trading, up from $16.04 before the news broke. Since the after-hours peak, the share price has settled down to $17.45 per share, 8.79% above close.

ESPN speculation

The deal would be Disney’s most significant foray into the rapidly growing US sports betting market, after years of speculation, which have only increased in recent months.

In November 2021, CEO Bob Chapek hinted at the business’ interest during its fourth quarter earnings call. On that occasion Chapek called ESPN the “perfect platform” for sports betting.

“We have done substantial res..

October 6, 2022

Entain to promote online betting brands at NSW hotels in new deal

Global gambling giant Entain has agreed a new deal with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), allowing it to promote its online betting brands Neds and Ladbrokes at New South Wales hotels.

The agreement comes despite hotels in the state having an existing exclusivity deal with Tabcorp, the national totalisator board.

As a result, the deal will not involve any Entain wagering terminals, or hotel staff accepting or taking commission for bets. Instead, Ladbrokes and Neds will simply be advertised at these venues.

“For decades now, many NSW hotels have operated PubTABs for Tabcorp at a significant loss – primarily due to high Sky Channel and EBT (betting terminal) fees,” AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said. “In-country NSW it’s even worse, with the majority of country pubs currently running their PubTAB at a loss.

“Today’s partnership with a world leader in Entain will finally give NSW hotels competition and choice.”

An evolution?

Entertain Australia chief executive Dean Shannon said th..

October 6, 2022

ATG chief slams bonuses as “embarrassing”

Hasse Lord Skarplöth, CEO of Swedish state-affiliated horse racing operator ATG, has said that bonuses are “embarrassing” and “drive gambling addiction” in a blistering critique of the common industry practice.

Bonuses are the practice of offering free or extra bets to consumers in order to attract or retain players to their platforms; with the method sometimes coming under criticism as an inducement that helps contribute to negative social responsibility outcomes.

Sweden has a stringent bonus regime, only allowing operators to offer one bonus per player at sign-up, worth no more than SEK100. This has been criticised by the Swedish Moderate Party – which have called for the rules to be reformed:

Hasse Lord Skarplöth

“This would make it easier for gaming companies to retain customers in the licensed market and have long-term relationships with the players, both of which increase consumer protection,” said the party.

Much of the industry has also opposed the bonus ban. However, as ..

October 6, 2022

Kambi agrees terms for Penn Entertainment sportsbook migration

Sports betting solutions supplier Kambi Group and Penn Entertainment have reached an agreement over the migration of the operator’s online and retail sportsbooks from Kambi to Penn’s proprietary technology.

Under the arrangement, Penn, previously known as Penn National Gaming, will migrate its online sportsbook in the third quarter of 2023, with the retail switch expected to take pace in 2024.

The two parties also agreed to cooperate on additional US state launches for the Barstool sportsbook during the transition period.

In August, Penn exercised its option to acquire all remaining shares of media brand Barstool Sports, having in February announced it would take full control of the business by early 2023.

The agreement provides for ongoing revenue share payments related to online and retail sports betting services for the duration of the provision of each respective service.

In addition, Kambi will receive one-time fees of $12.5m (£11.0m/€12.6m) for the early termination of the o..

October 6, 2022

PointsBet pens horse racing betting deal with 1/ST Technology

Online gambling operator PointsBet Holdings has entered into a betting partnership with the 1/ST Technology division of North American thoroughbred horse racing business Stronach Group.

Under the five-year master services agreement, agreed through PointsBet’s Premier Turf Club subsidiary, 1/ST Technology will provide horse racing betting products and content solutions for full integration within the PointsBet sportsbook app.

The partnership will also deliver a PointsBet-branded stand-alone advance deposit wagering (ADW) offering in eligible states outside those in which PointsBet currently offers sports betting.

Using Premier Turf Club’s licences, PointsBet will own and operate the ADW business and retain ownership of customer data.

Racing customers of 1/ST Technology’s Xpressbet and 1/ST Bet brands will be introduced to sports betting and igaming via PointsBet products through the marketing partnership.

It is anticipated that the PointsBet-branded ADW solution will launch in earl..

October 6, 2022

Happyhour to invest in Chile’s Betsala

Happyhour.io, the igaming-focused seed and early-stage accelerator led by former Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) chief executive Robin Reed, has committed to an investment in Chilean online sports betting brand Betsala.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Happyhour said the funding would help to accelerate growth for the operator.

Happyhour will also offer its operational, product and technical expertise to support Betsala and its long-term plans of becoming one of the leading sports betting brands in Chile.

Betsala launched in 2020 and is fronted by Chilean football legend Marcelo Salas, who also serves as an ambassador for the operator. During his playing career, Salas played for Italian Serie A teams Lazio, Roma and Juventus, while he was also captain of the Chilean national team.

“We have the right management team, experience and vision to be a sports betting and gaming powerhouse in Chile,” Betsala chief executive Albert Bellavista said. “The investment from..

October 6, 2022

888 launches in Africa, entering four new markets

Online gambling operator 888 has announced the launch of its 888bet brand in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia through the 888Africa joint venture.

888Africa was established in March to operate 888 brands in online betting and gaming markets across select regulated countries across Africa. 888 initially invested in a minority stake in the venture, with the option to increase this to take control and ultimately own up to 100% of 888Africa.

The roll-out of 888bet in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia marks the first launches in Africa since 888Africa was founded six months ago.

Players in each of the countries will have access to online sports betting, while consumers in Zambia will also be able to play online casino games through 888casino.

888 said it is also planning launches in other African markets in the future, subject to local licensing.

“We are delighted to hit our target and launch into four regulated markets within six months of founding the business,” 888Africa..

October 5, 2022

Genius Sports launches in-play same-game parlay tool

Sports data and technology business Genius Sports has announced the launch of a new in-play same-game parlay betting tool for online sportsbooks.

In-Play MultiBet will allow players to wager on multiple events within the same game while a match is taking place. This, Genius Sports said, could include customers placing new bets after each goal or touchdown and during intervals.

“Combining same game parlays with the unstoppable growth of in-play betting is a breakthrough innovation for us and our partners,” Genius Sports’ chief commercial officer Jack Davison said.

The tool will be available in time for betting on the 2022 Fifa World Cup, the national team football tournament that is scheduled to kick off in Qatar next month.

“Starting with the biggest sports event of the year, the Fifa World Cup, InPlay MultiBet will enable our partners to unlock bigger margins and drive engagement between key match events and breaks,” Davison added.

In-Play MultiBet will also run across football’..

October 5, 2022

Ontario regulator to take action against unlicensed operators from 31 October

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has made changes to its Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming, meaning unlicensed operators must now exit or face “appropriate regulatory action” and risk having future applications rejected.

The updated standards, the AGCO said, will support the province’s goal of creating a safer, competitive and well-regulated igaming market for the people of Ontario.

The most significant change comes to standard 1.22. Under the new rules, the transition period for unregulated igaming operators and gambling-related suppliers will end. The process was intended to allow those within the unlicensed space to move into the regulated market without causing significant interruption to their Ontario customer base.

However, the new standard establishes that operators and suppliers active in the unregulated market, or have agreements and arrangements with those in the unregulated area, must end their activities here to avoid jeopardising their eligibi..