Industry News of the Day for October 26, 2023

By iDEA | October 26, 2023

Industry News

  • SBC Americas: Joey Levy On Betr’s International Ambitions And 2023 Performance
    • Betr CEO Joey Levy has told SBC that the firm could one day bring its micro-betting and sportsbook platform to Latin American markets. Levy stated that while there are no immediate plans for international expansion, Betr is always monitoring global developments and may enter Latin America in the future. He explained: “Betr is laser-focused on the US at this time. However, we do have ambitions to one day become a global business, so we are evaluating opportunities globally including those in South America.”
  • CDC Gaming Reports: The United States Igaming Revenue Report — September 2023
    • Total igaming revenue for September 2023 in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Delaware added up to $533.9, breaking the half-billion mark for the second month in a row, an increase of 25.7% over last year’s $412.5 million. This is an overview of igaming revenue in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware, the six states where online gambling is legal in the U.S.

Arizona

  • iGB North America: Arizona Sports Betting Spend Surpasses $358m In August
    • Consumers in Arizona spent more than $358.0m betting on sports in August, while operators in the state posted more than $30.0m in total revenue. Total spend in Arizona amounted to $358.9m. This was marginally lower than the $361.0m bet in August 2022 but 11.1% ahead of $323.2m in July this year. Bettors wagered $354.6m betting on sports online and a further $3.4m at retail locations across the state. Player winnings stood at $327.2m, resulting in $30.9m in adjusted gross event wagering receipts before free bets.

Florida

  • Legal Sports Report: Supreme Court Denies Florida Sports Betting Stay, With A Twist
    • The US Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a West Flagler Associates request for a stay of mandate in the ongoing Florida sports betting case, while adding interesting commentary looking toward potential future filings. While West Flagler can still file a cert petition with the Supreme Court and has until Dec. 11 to do so, a legal expert told LSR the decision was a bad omen for its chances moving forward.  The Seminole Tribe of Florida could turn back on legal Florida sports betting via the Hard Rock Bet app at anytime, though its immediate plans are unclear.

Kentucky

  • Play USA: Scientific Games And Kentucky Lottery Extend Partnership For Next Four Years
    • Scientific Games and the Kentucky Lottery have signed a four-year contract extension. Under this collaboration, Scientific Games will continue offering the Kentucky Lottery its digital customer relationship management services. In a recent Scientific Games news release, Steve Beason, president of digital and sports betting, said. “We’re proud to extend our CRM partnership with the Kentucky Lottery. We’ve already seen great results, and we’re excited about what we can accomplish together in the future.”

Louisiana

  • Sports Handle: Louisiana Sportsbooks Claim Record $43 Million In Revenue For September
    • The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) reported that sports wagering operators claimed more than $43.1 million in gross revenue for September, an all-time high in the state. The revenue haul topped the previous standard of $37.2 million established last December and was 33.7% higher compared to the previous September. Handle for the month was $280.1 million, the second-highest ever behind the $282.3 million worth of accepted wagers in January. Louisiana’s 18 retail sportsbooks and nine mobile operators had a collective 15.4% hold on gross revenue — more than double the industry standard — that ranks third-highest in 21 months of mobile wagering.

Massachusetts

  • Play MA: Self Exclusion Usage In Massachusetts Increases 12% During 2023 Fiscal Year
    • Compared to last year, more Massachusetts gamblers put themselves on the self-exclusion list during the last fiscal year. According to a report from GameSense, the Massachusetts voluntary self-exclusion program saw a 12% increase during the 2022-23 fiscal year. The self-exclusion list is a staple of responsible gaming protocols nationwide, including in Massachusetts. The 2022-’23 fiscal year began on Oct. 1, 2022, and ended on Sept. 30, 2023. During that time, there were 54 more sign-ups than the same timeframe a year earlier. Those 54 problem gamblers represented a 12% increase.

Michigan

  • Play Michigan: Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) Forced Out Of Michigan For Regulatory Reasons
    • Michigan has forced out more online casinos deemed to be operating illegally. Specifically, Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) will be shutting down operations of Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots and Global Poker in Michigan. The company cites regulatory reasons as to why it is leaving Michigan. It is similar to how Golden Heart Games, Inc. was forced to leave the state in September. Notably, VGW sites like Chumba Casino utilize a sweepstakes model. Instead of monetary units, the Australian-based sites utilize play money chips while allowing users to secure sweeps coins.

Mississippi

  • Gaming Today: Mississippi Reports Impressive 19.7% Year-On-Year Increase In September Sports Betting Handle
    • Mississippi recorded an impressive year-on-year increase of 19.7% in its sports betting handle for September, with a total of $51.6 million in bets placed. While the handle saw substantial growth compared to the previous year’s $43.1 million for September, the state experienced an 8.0% decline in revenue. In September, Mississippi generated $8.1 million, down from the $8.8 million it earned in 2022. In comparison to the Aug. 2023 total handle of $21.4 million, Mississippi saw a remarkable 141.1% increase in September. The state’s sports betting revenue for September also saw a significant rise, with earnings totaling 200% more than the $2.7 million generated in August.

North Carolina

  • NC Sharp: The NC Sports Betting Rules Public Comment Period And How You Can Participate
    • Do you have strong opinions about how newly legalized expanded retail and online sports betting should be regulated? Let the North Carolina Lottery Commission hear your thoughts. While the NCLC has the responsibility of enacting the regulations for online sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering, per state laws, its members must do so in a transparent process for the public good. Gathering public comment when drafting regulations for online sports betting is a common practice of state gaming control bodies. State sunshine laws mandate transparency and disclosure as rule makers draft gambling rules.
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