Betting News Archives

October 24, 2023

Kentuckians wager $250m on sports since opening

Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky has said that close to $250m (£204.0m/€234.8m) has been wagered in the state since sports betting went live.

Beshear made the comment on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Nearly $250 million has been wagered in Kentucky since sports betting went live,” Beshear wrote. “It took many years and a lot of hard work to get here, but we got it done!

“And now those dollars are staying in our commonwealth to make this a better place to call home for all our families.”

Kentucky’s sports betting market opened in two parts. Retail sports betting opened on 7 September, followed by online sports betting on 28 September.

Long road to sports betting success

The journey to a legal sports wagering market in Kentucky has been long and winding. Beshear authorised sports betting in the Bluegrass state with the signing of House Bill 551 in April this year.

The bill approved nine racetracks to be operational for on-site retail sports betting, with each track eligibl..

October 23, 2023

GAN Sports set for Nevada entry

GAN is set to launch its sportsbook services in Nevada after being granted regulatory approval by state authorities.

The North American B2B gambling technology provider – whose board is considering its sale – said it will commence field trial operations of its GAN Sports betting platform with its Nevada customers after the platform is certified and approved.

It expects to launch in the coming months, with the platform to serve both mobile applications and retail sports betting.

Seamus McGill, chairman and interim chief executive, said: “We are very pleased and humbled to have received regulatory approval from the State of Nevada to hold a gaming licence. We are excited that we will be launching our leading-edge GAN Sports product in Nevada in the next few months.

“The Las Vegas Locals market is one of the largest and most recognisable gaming markets in the world and we are incredibly excited to be entering it.

“This is the third state where our B2B sports betting technology and ..

October 20, 2023

Delaware sports betting handle hits eight-month high in September

Players in Delaware spent $7.6m betting on sports in September, the highest total in eight months, while igaming wagers also increased.

Sports betting handle was down 14.6% from $8.9m in September 2022. However, the figure was up 216.7% from $2.4m in August 2023 and was the highest total in in Delaware since January.

It was a similar story for revenue, which at $958,547 was down 65.6% year-on-year but up 208.9% from August.

Delaware Park remains the sports betting market leader with $130,379 in revenue off a $1.9m handle.

Bally’s Dover ranked second with revenue of $71,880 from $1.0m in bets. The Harrington Raceway posted $30,707 in revenue and a $434,662 handle, while a further $725,583 in revenue came from $4.3m in bets at retailers.

Delaware igaming revenue dips despite higher spending

Turning to igaming and spending increased 3.4% from last year to $39.3m. This figure was also 21.3% higher than August and the largest monthly total since May. Of this total, $22.3m was wagered ..

October 20, 2023

Eight in ten Spaniards gambled in 2022

An annual report compiled by CeJuego, Spain's Gaming Business Council, found that 83.9% of the Spanish population aged 18-75 participated in gambling in 2022.

The percentage represents 29.5 million people.

The report is based on CeJuego’s Game and Society survey, which studies the gambling habits of adults in Spain. The 2023 edition found that although Spanish adults participate in gambling, they tend to take part in low-risk games that don’t promise a high reward.

The survey found that 23.3 million people played national lotteries, ONCE games or La Quinela.

A total of 17.9% of Spaniards play games offered in casinos, gaming halls and bingo halls, and take part in sports betting. This equates to 6.3 million people. The report emphasised that this is far below, for example, the number who said they go to the theatre in their leisure time – 24.5%.

However, this is higher than those who said they take part in painting at 16.1% and almost double the percentage of people who play..

October 20, 2023

Superbook Sports launches online sportsbook in Virginia

Las Vegas-based sports wagering business SuperBook Sports has announced the launch of its online sportsbook product in Virginia.

Players in Virginia can download the SuperBook Sports app and place bets on a wide range of sports and competitions. The app is accompanied by a SuperBook Sports website.

Betting options include major US sports contests such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. Users can also bet on college sports and other leading events from around the world including soccer’s English Premier League.

“We couldn’t be happier with our continued growth,” SuperBook Sports CEO and managing partner Mark Lipparelli said. “We’re thrilled to be live in Virginia. We feel confident that we have a great product with a strong history that will become a fast favourite of sports bettors in the region.

“Sports fans in the region can find all their favourite teams and get in the action with some of the best sports traditions in the country.”

SuperBook Sports continues to expand in the US

Lau..

October 20, 2023

Red card for double standards

The Guardian recently reported on the bizarre scenario of football club owners in the UK being allowed to place bets on football matches… while their employees are banned from doing likewise. This raises a ton of questions, writes Jon Bruford. Like how? Why? And who knew?

The story, which emerged in late September, has seen the governing body (the Football Association, or FA) accused of double standards after hanging Brentford player and diagnosed gambling addict, Ivan Toney, out to dry. This followed breaches of the player code of conduct.

Ironically, Matthew Benham, owner of Brentford FC, was named as one of the gamblers. The story states: “Benham is one of a select few multimillionaire club owners who enjoy an opaque arrangement with the FA that allows them to be involved in betting. The Guardian has seen evidence that appears to show that Benham has made money from bets on football placed in his own name, via a UK-based gambling syndicate called MSPP Admin. Benham said he abides ..

October 20, 2023

AS Roma backs El Shaarawy and Zalewski over illegal betting allegations

Italian Serie A football club AS Roma has come out in support of two of its players caught up in the ongoing illegal betting row in the country.

Reports have emerged suggesting Stephan El Shaarawy and Nicola Zalewski have taken part in illegal gambling activities. Both players currently play their club football with AS Roma.

The players have both denied the allegations in separate statements. AS Roma has now also put out its own statement backing the accounts of both El Shaarawy and Zalewski.

“In reference to the rumours spread in recent days regarding the alleged involvement of some of its members in the investigation relating to football betting, AS Roma expresses its full support towards Nicola Zalewski and Stephan El Shaarawy, victims of repeated speculation that have unfairly damaged the image,” AS Roma said.

“The club has total faith in Nicola and Stephan when they say they have nothing to do with this matter.”

El Shaarawy was included in the most recent Italian national tea..

October 19, 2023

Netherlands’ NGR up 85% in 2022

The Netherlands' licensed gaming market generated €3.4bn (£2.95bn/$3.59bn) in net gaming revenue (NGR) in 2022, according to a report from regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

The report is based on 2022 only, as it was the first full calendar year for the Netherlands’ online gambling market.

The country’s market officially opened in October 2021, following the passage and ratification of the much-delayed Remote Gambling Act (KOA). This month marks two years since the market became live. NGR comprises of deposits minus prizes paid out.

NGR for 2022 was up by 85.0% from €2.0bn in 2021. KSA noted that this was due to an increase in both online gambling and land-based play, particularly as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions lifted. Land-based venues were closed in the Netherlands until 25 January 2022, with restrictions still applying until 25 February 2022.

Spending on gambling and advertising

Online casino was one of the Netherlands’ smaller markets in 2022, behind lotteries and l..

October 19, 2023

Washington DC: Caesars retains sports betting top spot in September

Caesars Entertainment remained the leader in the Washington DC sports betting sector in September, while it was revealed revenue and handle in the market fell year-on-year.

Spending on sports betting in September amounted to $14.5m, down 25.3% from $19.4m wagered in Washington DC last year. However, this total was 79.0% ahead of $8.1m in August of this year.

In terms of gross gaming revenue, this reached $1.9m. Revenue was 47.2% down from the same month last year but 90.0% ahead of August 2023’s total.

Caesars leads over Gambet in Washington DC

Having taken the lead in Washington DC in August, Caesars kept its place at the front of the market. The operator posted $867,672 in revenue from $5.3m in sports bets.

Gambet, run by the DC Lottery and powered by Intralot, was again second with $588,203 off $5.2m in wagers.

BetMGM was next with $285,127 in revenue and a $2.7m handle. Flutter Entertainment’s FanDuel followed on $128,831 from a total spend of $556,671.

Grand Central and par..