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Sports, Sports Betting

NFL to Launch $6.2M Responsible Betting Campaign

By Brian Walker

Buccaneers in Formation on Left Sportsbook Moneylines on Right NFL Logo On Bottom Right Corner

The NFL announced that it will be launching a $6.2 Million campaign for responsible betting.

With a slogan “Stick to your Game Plan. Always Bet Responsibly”, the initiative aims at educating bettors the risks of gambling and know where to get help when things go out of hand. The NFL is partnering with the National Council on Problem Gaming to improve the latter’s nationwide help line while also creating new treatment programs and improve existing ones.

Said Christopher Halpin, NFL executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer:

“Sports betting is supposed to be fun. NFL’s executive vice president, chief strategy and growth officer. “We feel it is critical that the NFL uses the power of our voice to educate and encourage fans who choose to gamble to do so in a safe and responsible way. We also recognize that responsible betting programs across the country are under-resourced, especially as legalization spreads nationwide.”

17% of NFL Fans are Frequent Sports Bettors

Announced as a three-year effort, the NFL’s responsible betting initiative will utilize in-game messaging, broadcast, print, social media outreach, and in-stadium messaging to deliver its message. Some of the content will target people who are too young to legally place sports wagers but may feel tempted to do so.

The NFL said that 17% of NFL fans aged 21 or over describe themselves as frequent sports bettors while 30% call themselves casual sports punters or potential bettors who said they want to bet on the NFL once sports betting is legalized in their state. According to the American Gaming Association, 45 million Americans plan to place bets on the NFL this year, which is a sharp increase of 36% from the previous year’s survey result.

NFL Has Embraced Sports Betting

Since the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, legal sports betting has grown exponentially in the United States. To date, a total of 26 states plus the District of Columbia have legal and regulated sports betting up and running. A handful of other states have already passed their own legislation but have yet to go live.

With the massive revenue potential, the NFL has grown to embrace legal sports betting after being strongly opposed to it for decades. Sportsbook partners are common among NFL teams and the league recently approved sportsbook commercials by exclusive sports betting partners during TV and Game commercial breaks.

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Sports, Sports Betting

Penn National Completes Purchase of Score Media and Gaming

By Brian Walker

Penn National Gaming
Penn National Gaming announced on Tuesday that it has completed the purchase of Score Media and Gaming.

The acquisition of theScore solidifies Penn Gaming’s digital media and gaming strategy by creating a a one-stop entertainment destination.theScore is the most popular sports media app in Canada and the third in North America.

Said Penn National Gaming President Jay Snowden in a statement:

“We’re excited to be creating this powerful new entertainment flywheel that will provide us with multiple growth channels that transcend our current business verticals. We look forward to entering the Canadian gaming market, which represents a compelling new opportunity, and are proud to have John Levy and his family and their entire team bring their best-in-class technology, unique perspective and skill sets to our Penn National family.”

Purchase Was to Complement Sports Betting Assets

Last August, Penn National Gaming announced that it will be purchasing Score Media and Gaming for $2 billion. According to the announcement, Penn National wil pay Score Media share holders $34 per share in a mix of stock and cash. Score Media share holders will receive $17 cash per share plus 0.2398 shares of Penn National common stock for each Score share.

The purchase was intended to complement Penn National Gaming’s investments in sports betting. In January 2020, Penn National Gaming bought a 36% stake in Barstool Sports for $163M and since then Barstool Sports has spun out a betting app.

Two Powerful Sports Media Assets

With the acquisition of Score Media, Penn National Gaming will get the company’s estimated 4 million daily active users, including one thirds of which are located in Canada, where sports betting is limited to parlay bets. However, two-thirds of the users are in the United States across Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, and New Jersey.

Pairing theScore and Barstool Sports gives Penn National Gaming two of the most powerful and unique sports media assets which have the capability to generate engagement, customer acquisition, and retention across its media and gaming properties.

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Online Gambling, Poker, Roulette, Sports, Sports Betting

Betway Inks Sponsorship Deal With Dallas Mavericks

By Brian Walker

NBA Basketball With a Money and Court Background
Betway has secured a multi-year sponsorship deal with the Dallas Mavericks in its latest foray in the United States sports betting market.

The Super Group-owned sports betting company has been busy penetrating the NBA for sponsorship deals and now has added the Mavericks to its list of partner teams in North America’s premier basketball league.Under the agreement, Betway becomes the Mavericks’ official and exclusive free-to-play partner. Betway also secuers branding rights which will put its international-recognized logo around the Mavericks’ home court at the American Airlines Center.

Said Dallas Mavericks SBP for Corporate Sponsorship Ryan Mackey:

“Betway has been a phenomenal partner from the beginning, working with us to navigate this industry in a state where there are still many uncertainties yet potential for massive growth. We look forward to providing tremendous value to both Betway and our fans.”

Betway Continues Big Push for Sports Sponsorship Deal

The Mavs’ deal marks the sixth such deal for Betway which continues its big push for sports sponsorship deals to penetrate the fast-growing sports betting market in the United States. Previously, Betway forged deals with NBA teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and L.A. Clippers.

Dallas isn’t in a state where sports betting is legal, just as Chicago is. However, the Mavs’ popularity as a globally recognized brand with international basketball superstars like Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis made the team very attractive to Betway. The sports betting company also noted the Mavs NBA record for sell-out games as a good indicator that the franchise will help promote the Betway brand in the United States.

Making Moves in the United States

Betway first expanded in the United States through a deal with Digital Gaming Corporation earlier this year to launch in 10 U.S. states. So far, they have been able to penetrate four markets, namely New Jersey, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.

The European-based gambling company also signed an agreement with gaming supplier Evolution for its live casino and “first person” random money generator casino games. The live casino games include roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker. Betway plans to roll out these products in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the coming months.

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Indiana, Sports, Sports Betting

Indiana Sets New Sports Betting Records for the Month of September

By Brian Walker

Odds Board and Money

The Indiana Gaming Commission revealed on Tuesday that the Hoosier State set new all-time highs in sports betting handle and revenue for the month of September 2021.

According to the IGC, legal Indiana sports betting amassed a total betting handle of more than $355.4 million, eclipsing the previous standard of $348.2 million which was recorded in January 2021. A new record of $33.9M in taxable adjusted gaming revenue for the month of September was also reported.

Second Straight Month of Positive Numbers

With those figures, Indiana has recoded its second straight month of positive numbers. Hoosier State sports betting saw a 10.9% increase in August. It followed that up with a massive 64.8% increase from the August numbers which the gaming agency attributed to the start of the 2021 NFL season.

The IGC expects an even larger figure for October 2021 with the NFL season in full swing. MLB betting is also expected to kick into high gear with the playoffs underway. Likewise, the NBA season is set to begin this month, with the Indiana Pacers making their season debut on October 20 in Charlotte. The Pacers play their first home game against the Miami Heat on October 23.

Online Sports Betting  Also Sets a Record

The September 2021 online betting handle of $326.6 million also broke the January 2021 record of $303 million. Last month’s mobile betting total was up 63.5% from the previous month total of $199.7 million. Compared with the September 2020 figures of $178.9 million, the latest month’s results was 82.5% better.

As a result, the State received a total of $3.2M in taxes, marking the first time that it has gone past the $3 million mark since legal Indiana sports betting launched in September 2019. A total of $19.5 million in taxes have been paid this year which represents more than half of the total $36.6 million remitted since its launch.

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Iowa, Online Gambling, Slots, Sports, Sports Betting

Circa Sports Goes Live in Iowa Mobile Sports Betting Market

By Brian Walker

Person Browsing a Sports Betting Site on a Tablet

The Circa Sports mobile betting app went live in Iowa at 10 am CDT on Thursday through a partnership with Wild Rose Casino & Resort.

Wild Rose has three properties in Iowa and these are in Jefferson, Clinton, and Emmetsburg. Circa Sports is tied to the Jefferson property.

Circa Sports becomes the 13th mobile sports betting operator to go live in Iowa, including industry giants FanDuel and DraftKings, and the fifth to launch this year after BetMGM, BetRivers, The ScoreBet, and Bally Bet.

Said Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens in a statement:

“We are thrilled to expand Circa Sports to Iowa and the Midwest. Iowa marks the third state of operation for our mobile app, and we’ve appreciated the collaboration with Wild Rose and Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission on bringing this launch to fruition.”

Can Be Accessed Anywhere in the State

The Circa Sports mobile app can be downloaded at Circa’s webpage and it allows users to access a mobile sportsbook with both completed and live odds 24/7 for as long as they are withing the Iowa State boundaries. The app also has a futures bet service and two-sided Yes-or-No futures betting markets. Funds can be transferred using wire transfer, ACH, and Sightline.

In a press release from Circa Sports, the company boasted the best customer service support, highest betting limits, and the lowest hold percentages of any mobile sportsbook provider in the State. Circa now has presence in three different states after launching in Nevada and Colorado earlier this year as it pursues an aggressive expansion bid in the United States.

Iowa Top 10 in Betting Handle

Since allowing in-person registration for mobile betting access at the start of the year, Iowa has stayed in the Top 10 states when it comes to betting handle. The Hawkeye State has surpassed the $100 million monthly betting handle mark except July 2021. It’s biggest month this year was March when it generated $164.1 million.

Despite the presence of industry giants, newcomers have been able to get a good slice of the Iowa pie. BetMGM has surpassed the $60M total handle via its partnership with Diamond Jo Casino in Worth. The ScoreBet has generated at least $1 million in handle for six consecutive months. Meanwhile, BetRivers- which is also a skin of Wild Rose, has racked up a total betting handle of $3.2M in two months.

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Louisiana, Sports, Sports Betting

Betfred Sportsbook at Paragon Casino First to Offer Sports Betting in Louisiana

By Brian Walker

Man Handing Out Money With a Sportsbook Background
Louisiana Sports Betting to Launch on Wednesday at Paragon Casino

Marksville’s Paragon Casino will become the first gambling establishment to offer legal Louisiana sports bets.

According to a press release from the casino on Tuesday, the casino’s sportsbook , run in partnership with Betfred Sports, will open and start taking sports bets beginning 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Said Tunica-Biloxi Tribe chairman Marshall Pierite in a statement:

“As a native Louisianan and Chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, I am thrilled to help usher in sports betting to our state. This partnership with Betfred Sports promises continued success for Paragon as we continue our mission to provide a first-class gaming destination and vacation experience to our neighbors and guests coming to Central Louisiana.”

The Draft Room

The Las Vegas-style sportsbook is called “The Draft Room” which opened last April at the 13,000+ square foot area inside the property which used to house the casino’s buffet. At that time, it only operated as a sports-themed bar and restaurant with the retail Betfred sportsbook still subject to licensing and approval. But now that process is done with, it will start issuing betting tickets on Wednesday afternoon.

The venue has a sports-themed restaurant and bar, a state-of-the-art sports betting lounge with theater seating, betting counters, self-service kiosks, 112 TV sets, and three VIP “fan caves” for private gatherings.

First to Launch in Louisiana

Most Louisiana sports betting operators have yet to set their date of launch as their operations are still under review and for approval by the Louisiana State Police. Once that part is over with, they too can commence sports betting operations in the state.

Paragon Casino however, was given a separate approval to launch because it is located on tribal land. The 64,000 square foot gaming area is situated at 711 Paragon Place in Marksville, Louisiana. It has over 1,000 Las Vegas-style slot machines for gaming pleasure and 500 guest rooms for out-of-town guests.

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Sports, Sports Betting

First Class B Sports Betting License Holder in D.C. Opens in Adams Morgan

By Brian Walker

Fan of money
A first of its kind sportsbook opened in Maryland last Monday.

The Grand Central DC Sportsbook, located at the Grand Central sports bar at 2447 18th Street in Northwest began taking legal Maryland sports bets on Monday.

The said sports bar unveiled a pair of betting kiosks and a staffed teller window inside the property. In line with the opening, Grand Central has tripled the number of TV sets from 7 to 21 and boasts of DirectTV packages for major sports league.

Partnership with Elys Game Technology

The sports betting expansion has called for the hiring of 20 employees, most of them with experience in the sports betting industry. Likewise, Grand Central has expanded its operating hours. Once just a sport bar bar that opened at 6 p.m., it is now open 24/7 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

Grand Central partnered with Elys Game Technology, a licensed Management Service Provider which maks its own betting odds and supplies the digital kiosks. Elys is also the chosen supplier for the geo-fenced mobile app which will allow Grand Central patrons to place bets using their mobile devices.

Only Business With Class B License

Navigating the application process as a Class B operator with the DC Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration and the Office of Gaming and Lottery took Grand Central some nine months to process. It also entailed a $100,000 license application fee for the initial five-year license. But the hard work and investment has paid off.

As of the October 1st, Grand Central is one of only three businesses in D.C. to hold a sportsbook license, and the only one which will operate with a Class B license. The other two own a Class A license, which is given to operators attached to a pro sports venues in the state. William Hill opened a sportsbook at the Capital One Arena last June while BetMGM has started taking online bets using an App that can be accessed at Nationals Park. A retail BetMGM sportsbook is expected to open later this year.

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Louisiana, Sports, Sports Betting

WynnBET Gains Louisiana Online Sports Betting Access

By Brian Walker

Lousiana State Seal With Casino Background

Online sportsbook WynnBet has gained access to the Louisiana online sports betting
market.

It hasn’t been confirmed however how WynnBET gained access although it is believed that it is through one of the Caesars Entertainment properties in the state. Caesars owns the riverboat casinos Isle of Capri Casino Lake Charles and Bossier City Riverboat Casino.

WynnBet Aggressive Expansion

WynnBET is currently available in 16 states including Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Virginia and has access to 46% of the U.S. population. The company previously said that it has pending access to seven states which would bring its reach to 77% of the total adult population in the United States.

The online gaming division of Wynn Resorts is one of the Approved Sportsbook Operator of the NFL. It is also an authorized gaming operator of sports leagues like MLB, NBA, and NASCAR. WynnBet is also a partner of several team in the NFL, MLB, and the NBA.

Louisiana Targeting October Launch

Louisiana was supposed to launch legal sports betting last month, in time for the opening of the 201 NFL Season. However, Hurricane Ida caused inevitable delays and now the launch is being targeted for this month. However, legal online sports betting could take longer to begin as the Louisiana Gaming Control Board has yet to approve and license outside vendors.

Those who wish to operate legal sports betting in Louisiana will partner with local gambling entities in order to operate in the state. Last August, the state allowed Louisiana’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racinos, and the Harrah’s in New Orleans to file licenses for legal sports betting. These 20 existing gambling entities will be allowed to have two operators or skins which are approved by the Board while the Louisiana Lottery will be allotted one skin.

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Maryland, Sports, Sports Betting

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Announces Plan to Build Retail Caesars Sportsbook Inside it Property

By Brian Walker

Sportsbook
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore announced on Wednesday its plans to put up a retail sportsbook inside its property.

Aside from the sportsbook, Horseshoe will be adding new dining options, a new pub concept, and an entertainment venue to transform itself in preparation for the launch of legal sports betting in the state.

The sports betting area is expected to help casino revenues which have lagged since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The casino has seen a year-over-year decline in revenue from January to June before finally seeing some positive numbers in July and August. However, the latest figures are still 1.6% lower than the pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

The Brew Brothers Concept

A new feature of the sports betting area is a dining concept known as The Brew Brothers. This initiative is based on a a concept with the same name at the Eldorado Resort Casino in Reno and will offer local beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and a wide-range menu. The area will have a capacity of 250 people inside and on its outdoor patio and will also have a pair of “fan caves” that can host private parties.

It food menu includes custom burgers, wings, ribs, specialty pizzas, tacos, salads, pasta dishes and desserts. The Horseshoe Casino has formed a partnership with four local breweries-DuClaw Brewing Co., Union Craft Brewing, Checkerspot Brewing Corp, and Diamondback Brewing Co. with the goal of coming up with 24 local draft beer options.

Entertainment District at Warner Street

The Maryland casino is also negotiating with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, which recently partnered with Caesars Entertainment, and other groups for the establishment of an entertainment district located at Warner Street. The said location is being groomed to have attractions like like Topgolf and a Paramount Concert venue.

Horseshoe isn’t alone in the state with its sports betting expansion. Last April, Live Casino in Hanover opened a $15M sports and social lounge at the heart of the casino. The expansion featured retail sportsbooks which are ready to launch on Live Casino gets the approval to offer such services.

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Sports, Sports Betting, Washington

FanDuel to Enter Washington State In-Person Sports Betting Market

By Brian Walker

Red Rock Casino

The FanDuel group announced a partnership with Port Madison Enterprises that would bring one of America’s top sportsbooks to the state of Washington.

The plan would be carried out through Port Madison’s Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort is Suquamish, WA, which will operate the planned retail FanDuel sportsbook.

In a statement, Port Madison Enterprises board president Greg George said:

“We are looking forward to offering sports wagering at our property for the first time and to making the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort Washington’s premier destination for sports betting and the best game-day experience for all of our casino guests.”

Retail FanDuel Sportsbook to Open this Fall

The FanDuel sportsbook at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort is expected to open this fall. It will have three live-betting windows and 12 self-service betting kiosks. The facility will have 17 screens to feature all of the sporting action for the day, including a main 32’ x 9’ high-definition video screen.

Additionally, three self-service betting kiosks will be deployed at the Casino’s Beach Rock Music and Sports Lounge. This location will have a total of 11 screens including a main 24.5’ x 11.5’ video display, and has a total seating capacity of 250 people.

12 Tribes Can Offer in-Person Sports Betting in Washington

As of the present, there are a total of 12 tribes in Washington that have approved gaming compacts to offer in-person sports betting in the state. These tribes are the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tulalip Tribe of Washington, Spokane Tribe, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Colville Tribe, Muckleshoot Tribe, and the Shoalwater Tribe.

Washington’s in-person sports betting is only allowed on tribal land so no tax revenue will be remitted to the state government with all sports betting income going to the Native American tribes’ governmental services. These services are used to support both tribal and non-tribal interests.