Industry News For The Week Of January 19, 2025

Industry News

The US online casino industry saw its growth accelerate in 2024 despite a lack of significant new market launches. One year ago, PlayUSA projected that the overall growth rate for 2024 would be 19.3%, down about 3.5 percentage points from 2023, leading to $7.8 billion in full-year total market revenue. Instead, the growth rate has gone up 5.9 percentage points to 28.7%, and the industry’s gross gaming revenue for 2024 was $8.4 billion.

Connecticut

Connecticut sportsbooks might soon have new rules to follow. Rep. Tony Scott introduced multiple pieces of legislation last week that would implement varying rules for Connecticut sports betting. House Bill 5564 would establish a maximum hold for sportsbooks, House Bill 5565 would allow consumers to opt out of viewing certain sports or types of wagers, and House Bill 5778 would require two-way markets for all wagers.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has joined the list of states proposing online casino legalization. Sen. Paul Feeney and Rep. Daniel Cahill have introduced companion bills to legalize online casino gambling in the Bay State. The bills would allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to regulate and license online casinos in the state, and each of the state’s three casinos could partner with up to two operators.

North Dakota

North Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday voted against ND sports betting appearing on the 2026 ballot. HCR 3002 was introduced to allow North Dakota voters to decide whether to allow statewide sports betting. The effort failed on its second reading with 24 yes and 70 no votes. The North Dakota legislature only meets in odd years, so voters now must wait until at least 2028. Tribal casinos can offer in-person sportsbooks in North Dakota.

Pennsylvania 

BetRivers Sportsbook and the Philadelphia Eagles have struck a partnership to offer Eagles fans who use the sportsbook a chance at unique experiences. Lincoln Financial Field currently houses a BetRivers Lounge, where fans can enjoy wagering on sporting events while watching games on television screens on-site, even when the Eagles are not in action. Under this extended partnership with the Eagles, BetRivers can provide access to a special VIP area for some of its customers at Lincoln Financial Field, among other opportunities.

Virginia 

Members of the Virginia Assembly abandoned the commonwealth’s first attempt to legalize online casinos. The iGaming proposal will not be considered until 2026 due to a need for further research on its economic impacts. However, they made progress on legislation that would clear the way for a Fairfax County vote on retail casino gaming. SB 982 amends the state code to create a sixth brick-and-mortar casino license in Virginia. The proposed site is in Tysons, near the Metro Silver Line.