Industry News of the Day for March 5, 2024
Industry News
- SBC Americas: Carolina Panthers And FanDuel Ink Sports Betting Partnership
- FanDuel is broadening its reach as a sports betting operator in North Carolina through a deal with an NFL franchise. The Flutter Entertainment-owned fantasy and sports betting operator has secured a multiyear agreement with the Carolina Panthers, becoming the team’s official sports betting partner. FanDuel landed the partnership with the Panthers ahead of the statewide launch of online sports betting in North Carolina on March 11. As part of its pact, the Panthers will have a presence across FanDuel marketing channels, including digital and social media content.
- Front Office Sports: Sportradar Reports Match Fixing Hasn’t Slowed. What’s New: AI Is Watching Now
- The battle against match fixing around the world is increasingly using the exploding world of artificial intelligence. Sports data company Sportradar on Monday released the results of its annual integrity report, findings coming from active monitoring of about 850,000 events across 70 sports last year and particularly the betting lines around those events. The overall results were essentially even with those for 2022, with suspected manipulation found in 0.21% of events, or one in every 467. But what did materially change was the use of AI, with that technology assisting in 73% of the flagged events.
- SportsHandle: North American Sports Betting Market Far Less Corrupt Than Other Continents
- Sportradar released its annual “Betting Corruption and Match-Fixing” report on Monday, and the results were fairly encouraging — especially for the expanding North American sports betting market. Out of 1,329 suspicious matches detected throughout the world in 2023, only 35 occurred in North America. Europe led the way with 667, followed by Asia (302), South America (217), African (108), and Oceania (0). This was out of a total of 850,000 events and matches that Sportradar monitored across 70 sports, resulting in a suspected manipulation rate of 0.21% — or one suspicious event out of every 467. That rate was right in line with 2022.
- Gambling Insider: NeoGames Expands US Presence In Collaboration With Georgia Lottery
- NeoGames has launched eInstants content in the US, in collaboration with the Georgia Lottery Corporation. This move aims to extend the reach of NeoGames Studio – the technology-driven arm responsible for end-to-end solutions – and hopes to solidify its presence in the US market. Off the back of this new collaboration, the Georgia Lottery Corporation is set to offer NeoGames Studio’s range of eInstants alongside its existing Diggi Games. This enhancement aims to broaden the operator’s appeal to a wider player demographic, presenting increased opportunities for engagement and player retention.
Alabama
- Legal Sports Report: Alabama Sports Betting On Chopping Block As Lawmakers Eye Lottery Ask
- With new language coming in an altered comprehensive gaming package, Alabama sports betting appears its on the cutting block. Multiple industry sources told LSR late last week that upcoming changes to the Alabama package could lead to lawmakers creating only the Alabama Lottery. That means the legislation would no longer legalize casinos and Alabama sports betting. However, that could change again in the future. “Sounds like it changes hourly,” a source said about the bill. “They’ll be making changes in the bill. So safe to say that it’s headed to [conference committee] If the Senate takes it out, House will put it back in, and then who knows.”
- PlayUSA: Relax Gaming Content Coming To US Online Casinos Through Light & Wonder Deal
- Relax Gaming, an iGaming aggregator, has reached an agreement with Light & Wonder to use the latter’s platform to present Relax Gaming’s exclusive content. Nadiya Attard, Relax Gaming’s chief commercial officer, said Light & Wonder will be the best platform to collaborate. He highlighted its strong presence in key iGaming markets across North America, making it an ideal platform for Relax Gaming to showcase its content. According to the agreement, Relax Gaming’s real-money online casino content will be distributed in specific regulated markets, such as the US, Europe, and Canada.
Alberta
- PlayCanada: Alberta Allocates $1 Million Toward Exploring Open Online Gambling Market
- Slowly but surely, Alberta is inching towards becoming the next Canadian province to launch an open online gambling sector. The province announced last week that it is designating $1 million for a review of its current online gambling structure. The evaluation marks a potential step forward as province officials explore the potential of Alberta online gambling, implementing an Ontario-like iGaming market. The news came as part of the government’s 2024 budget announcement. The $70-plus billion spending plan included a section, albeit brief, dedicated specifically to the review.
Connecticut
- Bonus.com: Connecticut Report On Gambling Impact Shows Overreliance On Problem Gambling Spend
- Those at risk of or suffering from gambling addiction account for the lion’s share of gambling revenue, according to worrisome findings by Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addictions Services (DMHAS). The researchers found that the highest-risk segments of gamblers make up less than 7% of the state population yet account for over 70% of Connecticut gaming revenue. Although the study did not consider other states, this finding echoes similar observations made by researchers around the world. The 205-page study, Impacts of Legalized Gambling in Connecticut, is the first mandated research on the social and economic impacts of legalized gambling released since the state authorized online casino gaming and sports betting in 2021.
Ontario
- Gaming Today: Ontario Bans Athletes From Advertising Sports Betting
- As of Feb. 28, 2024, all active or retired athletes are barred from participating in advertising and marketing campaigns for Internet Gaming in Ontario, except when advocating for responsible gambling practices. A new regulation prohibiting the use of athletes and celebrities in advertisements promoting online gambling in Ontario has taken effect. Announced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) last summer, the measure aims to protect children and youth from potentially harmful advertising content associated with online gambling.