Betting News Archives

August 19, 2022

Mississippi sports betting handle continues to decline in July

Player spending on sports betting in Mississippi declined for the fourth consecutive month in July, while the state’s handle also fell year-on-year.

Consumers wagered a total of $18.3m (£15.4m/€18.2m) in sports during the month, down 27.1% from $25.1m in June this year and also 40.4% lower than $30.7m in July of 2021.

Revenue improved month-on-month, rising 19.5% from $2.1m in June to $2.5m, though this figure was 13.8% behind the $2.9m reported in July last year.

Coastal casinos were once again the busiest of the state’s sports betting venues drawing a total of $11.4m in bets and turning $1.5m in revenue.

Player spending at central casinos reached $4.1m and revenue amounted to $481,362, while northern casinos took $2.8m in wagers and posted $513,693 in revenue for the month.

Baseball drew the largest portion of bets during July, with consumers wagering $6.5m at coastal casinos, $1.9m at central casinos and $1.6m at northern casinos.

August 19, 2022

Michigan online gambling market bounces back in July

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) reported $148.2m (£125.1m/€147.3m) in combined online casino and internet sports betting revenue in July, halting three consecutive months of decline in the state.

Gross internet gaming and sports betting receipts from commercial and tribal operators in July was 8.3% higher than $136.9m in June this year, while the total was also 32.4% up from $111.9m in July of 2021.

Online gaming gross receipts were 37.2% higher year-on-year at $126.6m, while gross sports betting gross receipts jumped 10.2% to $21.6m, helped by a 9.6% increase in handle.

Total adjusted gross receipts, which account for promotional spending, reached $131.2m, up 37.4% on July last year. Of this total, $117.2m came from igaming and $14.0m sports wagering.

Licensed operators submitted $24.9m in taxes and payments to the state during July, with $24.1m coming from igaming taxes and fees and $815,409 sports betting.

In terms of year-to-date, aggregate internet gaming adjusted gr..

August 19, 2022

Michigan online gambling market bounces back in July

Online gaming gross receipts were 37.2% higher year-on-year at $126.6m, while gross sports betting gross receipts jumped 10.2% to $21.6m, helped by a 9.6% increase in handle.

Total adjusted gross receipts, which account for promotional spending, reached $131.2m, up 37.4% on July last year. Of this total, $117.2m came from igaming and $14.0m from sports wagering.

Licensed operators submitted $24.9m in taxes and payments to the state during July, with $24.1m coming from igaming taxes and fees and $815,409 sports betting.

In terms of year-to-date, aggregate internet gaming adjust..

August 19, 2022

A lucky escape for Entain?

iGB op-ed: this week, the gambling industry was the subject of front-page news when gaming giant Entain paid a record settlement of £17m (€20.1m/$20.4m) to the GB Gambling Commission for a range of regulatory failings. Marese O’Hagan ponders whether another operator would have had its licence revoked outright.

News of the scale of Entain’s £17m regulatory settlement this week generally ignites sharp debate between anti-industry campaigners and those in support of the sector. And with social media playing such a large part in communication today, it is easier than ever to absorb both sides of the debate.

However, there was little sympathy for Entain on Wednesday morning when the penalty was announced.

In total, Entain has agreed to pay £14m for social responsibility and anti-money laundering (AML) failures carried out by its online gaming business LC International Limited – which operates 13 UK sites, including Coral.co.uk, Ladbrokes.com and FoxyBingo.com – and a further £3m for simi..

August 19, 2022

Kansas to launch legal sports betting on 1 September

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced that licensed operators in the US state can begin to accept wagers on 1 September.

The four state-owned land-based casinos – Boot Hill Casino & Resort, Kansas Star Casino, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, and Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel – will be able to accept bets in-person and on mobile platforms.

Tribal casinos are also working to align on compacts with the state for sports wagering, with these casinos to be authorised to launch as soon as agreements are reached.

“Legalising sports betting is a common-sense solution that keeps Kansans’ money in Kansas and drives business to sporting events, casinos, restaurants, and other entertainment venues,” Kelly said. “I want to thank all our partners for working with us to get this done in time for football season.”

Kansas Lottery executive director Stephen Durrell added: “This announcement represents a lot of hard work and collaboration between the Kansas Lottery, the Kansas Racing and Gam..

August 18, 2022

Penn exercises options to acquire remainder of Barstool

Penn Entertainment – the business formerly known as Penn National Gaming – has exercised its option to acquire all remaining shares of media brand Barstool Sports.

Penn acquired a 36% stake in Barstool for $161.2m in 2020, after which it rebranded its sportsbook product to bear the Barstool brand name.

The operator would then increase its stake in Barstool beyond 50% – paying $62.0m for a further 14% stake – within three years. Penn was also granted immediately exercisable call rights that would allow it to acquire the remainder of the media business, “based on a fair market value calculation”.

In February of this year, Penn then revealed that it planned to exercise these options and control the entire Barstool business by early 2023.

Read the full story on iGB North America

August 17, 2022

Why MaximBet is more than a sum of its parts

When PASPA was repealed, Daniel Graetzer saw the biggest opportunity of his career. Having gone all-in on the market, he is now running a nationally recognised brand in MaximBet.

When it comes to partnerships between US media giants and sportsbooks, it tends to be the market leaders that get mentioned. It could be 888 using the Sports Illustrated brand for its US push. Or Penn National acquiring Barstool Sports and theScore to drive its growth.

The rampant speculation around ESPN moving into betting operations tends to cite DraftKings or Caesars as being its most likely partner. In short, the companies involved tend to be large, and listed.

But MaximBet, a challenger launched in 2021, has successfully pivoted from a Europe-focused, multibrand business into a US-focused, media brand-driven competitor.

And chief executive Daniel Graetzer is keen to stress that MaximBet is not just a gimmick – he’s building a new proposition for the US sportsbook industry.

Building betting into a..

August 17, 2022

Sportradar shares up 15% after raising full-year revenue guidance

Data provider Sportradar’s share price rocketed after it raised its full-year revenue guidance for 2022.

The announcement came as part of its second-quarter financial report, in which the provider also revealed that its revenue for the three months to 30 June was €177.2m, up 23.0% year-on-year.

In total, €29.1m of Sportradar’s revenue came from the US, up by 66.3% as the US market continued to expand. Rest-of-world betting services brought in €95.5m, up by 20.6%. This, the business said, was mostly due to more focus on “higher-value-add” services such as managed betting services.

Rest-of-world audiovisual services to betting operators came to €39.7m, up by just short of 10% thanks mostly to new customers.

Other operations brought in a further €12.9m.

The business then paid €43.4m for purchased services and data licences, up 33.1%, plus €64.4m in personnel expenses, up 37.6%, €21.2m in other operating income, a slight increase, and €49.2m in depreciation and amortisation, up by 75…

August 17, 2022

GiG CEO: Rationale for Sportnco deal proven by Q2 performance

A full quarter’s contribution from Sportnco has aided Gaming Innovation Group’s international expansion drive, and while new opportunities emerge in the Americas, Europe is also playing a key role in its growth trajectory.

Gaming Innovation Group’s (GiG) first quarter results for 2022 set a new high point for revenue, for the second consecutive reporting period. The supplier has now extended that winning streak to three quarters, reporting a 37.1% year-on-year jumping in revenue to €22.1m (€18.6m/$22.5m).

GiG Media, its affiliate division, continues to grow rapidly, but for the three months to 30 June, the platform business’ performance was the standout performer. Revenue grew 43.1% to €7.3m, reflecting a full quarter’s contribution from Sportnco.

Richard Brown, GiG CEO

Sportnco’s impact in Q2

In the wake of the first quarter results, chief executive Richard Brown talked up the anticipated impact of adding a proven sportsbook to GiG’s portfolio. Following Q2’s figures, it certa..