Betting News Archives

September 20, 2023

Michigan online gambling revenue rises 13.2% in August

Combined online sports betting and igaming revenue in Michigan increased 13.2% year-on-year to $175.4m (£141.5m/€164.2m) in August, with this total almost level month-on-month.

Gross internet gaming and sports betting receipts from commercial and tribal operators is ahead of $154.9m in August 2022. It is also only slightly below $176.1m worth of online gambling revenue in Michigan in July this year.

Online casino gaming gross receipts hit $152.2m, up 16.3% on last year but behind July’s $153.9m total.

Read the full story on iGB North America

September 20, 2023

Pennsylvania sports betting revenue drops 35% in August

Sports betting revenue in Pennsylvania declined 35.1% year-on-year in August, although the US state was still able to report an overall increase in gambling revenue.

Total revenue from gambling in Pennsylvania hit $457.2m (£369.0m/€428.0m) in August. This was 7.5% more than $425.4m in August 2022 but 2.1% less than $467.0m in July this year.

Retail slots remain the primary source of gambling revenue in the state by some distance, drawing $203.2m. This is 1.0% higher than last year. Retail table games also jumped 5.4% to $82.7m.

Read the full story on iGB North America

September 19, 2023

GC clashes with Racing Post over coverage of proposed risk checks

The GB Gambling Commission has published an open letter to Racing Post readers in an attempt to “clear up misunderstandings” about the ongoing consultation regarding proposed financial risk checks.

The regulator accused the racing and sports betting publication of providing readers with “imbalanced stories”. Additionally, the Commission said that the newspaper had “refused” to publish a letter from the authority responding to the coverage.

Financial risk checks – also known as affordability checks – have been one of the most contentious topics included in the Gambling Act review white paper since its publication in April.

In response to the letter, Racing Post editor Tom Kerr released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“We told the GC we were unwilling to publish a letter if it misrepresented disagreements over our coverage as errors of fact,” he wrote.

“That is precisely what this letter does. It simply repeats contentious assertions from the white paper and consultatio..

September 19, 2023

French competition authority clears FDJ for ZeTurf acquisition

France’s national competition regulator, l'Autorité de la Concurrence, has cleared the country’s national lottery operator Française des Jeux (FDJ) to acquire online horse racing betting site ZeTurf Group.

However, FDJ will have to change several aspects of its operations to address the regulator’s concerns about risks to competition.

In particular, FDJ has committed to separating its monopoly and competitive gaming operations. It also has said it will allow any French licensed operator to access the common pool of horse racing bets it manages.

L’Autorité outlines competition concerns

Despite both FDJ and ZeTurf offering online sports betting, their low combined market share meant this alone did not concern the regulator.

Instead, l’Autorité said problems could come from FDJ’s monopoly on lottery games and retail sports betting.

It argued that, because of its exclusive rights to offer these segments, the new combined business may have been tempted to restrict the competition..

September 19, 2023

OpenBet enters newly regulated Brazilian sports betting market with Play7.Bet

Sportsbook technology provider OpenBet is to expand into the newly regulated Brazilian sports betting market through a partnership with Play7.Bet.

Under the deal, OpenBet will provide technology to power Play7.Bet’s retail and online sports betting offering in Brazil.

This arrangement includes the OpenBet betting engine, managed trading services and player account management (PAM). Tech will be made available across land-based and digital wagering.

In addition, Play7.Bet will benefit from OpenBet’s partnership with Neccton. This covers responsible gambling, anti-money laundering and fraud detection within the gambling sector.

“From the very first days of the UK market through Greece, Australia and the US, it has always been clear that investing in and partnering with competent local companies with coherent and compelling plans, is a strong foundation for success in new markets,” OpenBet chief executive Jordan Levin said.

“For this reason, we are pleased and honoured to have been s..

September 18, 2023

West Flagler files motion to stay ahead of Supreme Court appeal

West Flagler Associates filed a motion in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit to keep Hard Rock Bet shut down ahead of its appeal to the Supreme Court.

The filing by the two Florida pari-mutuel betting operators is the latest twist in the fraught legal battle questioning whether the Seminole Tribe are permitted to offer statewide online sports betting through their compact with the state.

West Flagler lost its case against secretary of the interior Debra Haaland in June, clearing the compact from federal objections. Following this loss, it appealed for a rehearing, which the court rejected.

In the motion West Flagler confirmed they would be seeking to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, confirming previous speculation.

If the court opts to deny the motion, then the Seminoles could launch online wagering through its Hard Rock Bet platform as early as tomorrow. Despite this, the tribe may prefer to wait and see how the case will proceed in the Supreme Court to remove legal a..

September 18, 2023

Dazn Bet launches in Germany

Sports betting operator Dazn Bet has launched in Germany, after it was licensed to operate in the country in August.

Dazn Bet was formed in April 2022 through Dazn’s partnership with Pragmatic Solutions. The operator was added to the sports betting section of Germany’s white list last month.

The white list was set up after Germany’s Fourth State Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStv) was enacted in July 2021. The GlüNeuRStv also brought about Germany’s regulator, Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL).

“Dazn Bet is an offer to Dazn users and people interested in sports betting to immerse themselves in a new kind of sports experience,” said Gabriel Vollmann, Dazn Bet managing director, DACH.

“The close cooperation with the German authorities and the brand partnership with Dazn reflect our commitment to be a safe provider in a regulated market where the player’s enjoyment is at the centre.”

Alongside sports betting services, Dazn Bet will also provide safer gambling materials to..

September 18, 2023

Massachusetts sports betting revenue falls despite handle rise in August

Sports wagering handle in Massachusetts reached $314.9m (£254.4m/€295.3m) in August, a month-on-month increase of 6.8%, although revenue in the state declined.

The figure was higher than $294.9m in July, which was the lowest total since Massachusetts launched legal betting in April.

Some $307.2m was spent wagering online, an increase of 6.6% from July. Retail betting was also 13.2% higher at $7.7m for August.

Handle rise fails to halt revenue drop

However, while handle was higher month-on-month, the same could not be said for revenue from sports betting. Total revenue in August hit $22.7m, down 22.8% from $29.4m in July.

Of this total, $22.6m came from online betting, a decline of 21.5% from July. Just $157,782 was generated in retail wagering revenue, down 72.6%.

DraftKings leads in Massachusetts

DraftKings remains the runaway leader, posting $10.8m from $161.9m in bets during August.

FanDuel again placed second with $7.4m off a $79.4m handle, then BetMGM on revenue of $2.4m f..

September 18, 2023

EGBA urges Norway to drop online gambling monopoly

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has urged lawmakers in Norway to switch from its current monopoly system to a licensing model for online gambling.

Norway remains one of the last European countries with a state gambling monopoly. Lottery Norsk Tipping has the rights to online casino gaming and sports betting, while Norsk Rikstoto covers horse racing.

However, EGBA says Norway should follow the example of other European markets such as neighbouring Sweden and Finland and make the move to a licensing system. EGBA secretary-general Maarten Haijer said this would help combat issues such as consumers gambling with unlicensed sites.

“The belief that a monopoly model is essential for safer gambling does not align with the current European trend,” Haijer said. “Nearly every other European country has implemented some form of licensing system, successfully prioritising player safety within a regulatory framework that provides clear rules for companies to follow.

“In Norw..