Connect with us

Latest News

UK Online Casinos Required to Alter their New Player Bonuses

Published

on

 

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission has requested that all online casinos operating in the UK remove any multi-tiered welcome offers and only provide one time deposit bonuses. This change to UK online casino bonuses came into fruition on 1st December and it is the first major move by the UKGC following this year’s announcement that UK laws surrounding online gambling will be ‘updated’.

UK regulated casinos including Slotnite and Skol as well as numerous others will now only offer one time deposit bonuses rather than bonuses on subsequent deposits. The UK gambling scene remains competitive with hundreds of operators fighting one another for players. The outcome of this is that casinos use bonus offers as a way to tempt and draw players into playing with them.

Why the New Regulations on Casino Bonus Offers?

The thinking of the UKGC behind this new rule on casino bonuses is that banning all multi-tiered welcome offers will help to protect players. Such bonuses encourage players to make several deposits which may not entirely be in their best interests, according to gambling critics. Operators are still able to offer bonus spins along with first deposit offers, so as of time of writing, it is only multi-tiered deposit bonuses which have been banned.

Other popular casino bonuses including no deposit free spins are also still allowed to be promoted in addition to free spins with no wagering bonuses which rank among the best casino bonuses as players are under no obligation to wager these bonuses a specific number of times before they can withdraw any winnings associated with the free spins.

These bonuses are not likely to occur any wrath from the UKGC as they do not hinder players and are deemed sufficiently fair enough whereby the casino is not taking advantage of them.

What Will 2022 Bring?

It remains unclear what further changes will be made to UK online gambling laws. Casinos are bracing themselves for further restrictions with iGaming officials lobbying government officials in an effort to keep restrictions at a minimum. As it stands, casino bonuses are not considered much of a problem and are already highly regulated. We expected casino players bonus offers to remain more or less the same as they are now, although it would not be surprising to see wagering requirements on slots spins banned as more often than not, it is extremely difficult to ever withdraw any winnings associated with such bonuses.

The UKGC will continue to announce any changes which they deem necessary for gambling operators to make, so the team here at iGamingRadio will be sure to bring you any news updates regarding UK online casino bonuses and gambling laws.

Bill Carstanjen

Churchill Downs Incorporated Announces Definitive Agreements to Acquire a Majority of Casino Salem Project in New Hampshire

Published

on

churchill-downs-incorporated-announces-definitive-agreements-to-acquire-a-majority-of-casino-salem-project-in-new-hampshire

Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) (the “Company”, “CDI”, “we”) announced today that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire a majority of the outstanding equity interests (the “Salem Transaction”) of a Salem, New Hampshire joint venture (“Casino Salem”) with the right to develop a charitable gaming, entertainment and dining destination featuring historical horse racing machines (“HRMs”).

Casino Salem is located at The Mall at Rockingham Park, which is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Boston. Prominent local developers Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli will maintain ownership in Casino Salem, ensuring their experience remains central to the development and future success of this new venue.

The initial phase of Casino Salem opened on July 9th with approximately 100 HRMs and 13 live table games. Over the coming months, CDI will finalize plans and commence construction of the future phases of the project including a rebranding of the venue, an expansion of the gaming floor, and several food and beverage concepts.

“New Hampshire is an exciting opportunity, and this transaction – and our new partnership with Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli – allows us to develop a regional destination to draw patrons to Salem from across the growing New England market,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI. “We look forward to sharing more about our plans to build an expanded, state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment facility in Salem and to support charitable organizations throughout New Hampshire.”

“We are thrilled to move forward in partnership with Churchill Downs, one of the country’s preeminent gaming and entertainment operators,” said Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli. “With our vision for Salem, we remain committed to driving economic stimulus to our local economy, creating new jobs, and increasing tourism while delivering a world-class destination that will create lasting benefits for the community for decades.”

Separately from Casino Salem, CDI will continue to operate its Chasers Poker Room in Salem.

The Company will finance the Salem Transaction using its existing credit facility. Closing of the Transaction is subject to usual and customary closing conditions, including receipt of approval by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. The Transaction is anticipated to close during the third quarter of 2025.

The post Churchill Downs Incorporated Announces Definitive Agreements to Acquire a Majority of Casino Salem Project in New Hampshire appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Barry Sanders

Derek Jeter Joins BetMGM’s Team of Legendary Ambassadors

Published

on

derek-jeter-joins-betmgm’s-team-of-legendary-ambassadors

 

BetMGM announced a multiyear partnership with baseball legend and five-time World Series champion Derek Jeter. As BetMGM’s newest brand ambassador, Jeter will appear in national marketing campaigns including the “Legendary Plays” spot, scheduled to premiere on July 15. BetMGM Casino also plans to launch an exclusive Jeter-themed slot game. Currently, there are no other online casino games featuring a current or former professional baseball player.

“BetMGM’s commitment to excellence and overall approach help them stand out as an innovator in their space. They have worked hard to create a real community in their audience. I look forward to working with their team to build connections within their base of players and support the company’s continued growth,” Jeter said.

The Hall of Fame shortstop joins BetMGM’s prestigious roster of sports legends, which includes Barry Sanders, Tim Howard and Wayne Gretzky, among others. Jeter will be featured prominently across advertising campaigns and digital platforms, make appearances at exclusive VIP events and play a key role in promoting BetMGM’s responsible gambling initiatives in both the US and Canada.

Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer at BetMGM, said: “As BetMGM’s brand continues to evolve, we could not think of a better baseball ambassador to add to our Mount Rushmore of legendary athletes than Derek Jeter. ‘The Captain’s’ universal appeal and proven track record of excellence, both on and off the field, will provide players with extraordinary experiences only available at BetMGM.”

Over his storied 20-year career with the New York Yankees, Jeter earned a reputation as a game-changing athlete, revered for his consistency, clutch performances and leadership. “The Captain” collected more than 3000 hits, won five Gold Gloves and was a 14-time All-Star while serving as the cornerstone of numerous championship teams. His legacy on the field, and his presence off it, continues to inspire generations of baseball fans.

As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM provides resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

The post Derek Jeter Joins BetMGM’s Team of Legendary Ambassadors appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Canada

Rivalry Reports Q1 2025 Results Highlighting Strengthened Unit Economics, Operating Leverage, and Strategic Progress

Published

on

rivalry-reports-q1-2025-results-highlighting-strengthened-unit-economics,-operating-leverage,-and-strategic-progress

 

Rivalry Corp., an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, announced financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”). All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Q1 2025 was the first full quarter operating under Rivalry’s restructured model, following a company-wide transformation that began in Q4 2024. This included a strategic shift toward high-value users, deep cost rationalization, significant product upgrades, and tighter execution across every layer of the business. The result is a streamlined, modernized operating model with materially improved performance and long-term leverage.

“This quarter marks the full emergence of Rivalry 2.0 – leaner, sharper, and structurally stronger,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “We’ve rebuilt the foundation of the business around high-efficiency acquisition, high-value users, and a proprietary product – and we’re already seeing the impact. Rivalry today is not just a leaner version of itself – it’s a fundamentally different company built for scalability.”

Key Highlights

  • Net revenue of $1.3 million, consistent with the preliminary results announced on April 16, 2025. While temporary sportsbook margin variance impacted topline outcomes, underlying KPIs continued to improve and validate the strength of Rivalry’s rebuilt model.
  • Operating expenses decreased 58% year-over-year to $4 million in Q1 2025, down from $9.6 million in Q1 2024.
  • Net loss reduced by 43% to $3.0 million in Q1 2025 from $5.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • A meaningful portion of Q1 expenses were non-recurring or non-operational in nature, including annual audit costs, regulatory fees, and legacy payables from prior periods. The Company’s adjusted marketing spend during the quarter was approximately $175,000, materially lower than the reported figure due to these factors.
  • Average Customer Acquisition Cost payback across H1 2025 was approximately 1.5 months, reflecting improved funnel conversion, higher player value, and stronger retention – all achieved under constrained spend conditions.
  • Q2 2025 set new all-time records across key user economics1:

    • Net revenue per player increased 49% versus Q1 2025, and was 210% higher than the historical average prior to the Q4 2024 transformation.
    • Wagers per player rose 7% quarter-over-quarter, and nearly 300% above the pre-rebuild average.
    • Average monthly deposits per player in Q1 2025 were over 175% higher than the historical average. In Q2 2025, this increased a further 28%.
    • Monthly deposit frequency per player in Q1 2025 was up 115% over the historical average, and rose another 22% in Q2 2025.
  • Ongoing improvements in VIP identification, segmentation, and servicing, driven by Rivalry’s proprietary Business Intelligence (“BI”) tools and Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) infrastructure, further contributed to gains in deposit behavior and overall player value.

These improvements reflect the effectiveness of Rivalry’s strategic overhaul – including product modernization, in-house BI tooling, optimized segmentation, and CRM systems that support higher-value customer behavior and lifecycle retention.

Streamlined Operations

Rivalry’s breakeven net revenue is now approximately $600,000 USD per month, down from more than $2 million USD per month a year ago, based on current run rate operating expenses, with further cost optimizations planned in Q3 2025. The rebuilt business is operating on a structurally lower fixed-cost base with proven user economics and performance-ready infrastructure.

“We’ve created an operating model that is not only lean and disciplined, but also high-leverage,” Salz added. “This is a structurally better business than it was a year ago. The team is tighter, the product is stronger, and the KPIs are outperforming – all with limited capital deployment. The engine is rebuilt.”

Strategic Review & Outlook

Rivalry is actively exploring strategic alternatives aimed at maximizing shareholder value. As part of this ongoing process, the Company is also evaluating non-dilutive capital options as part of broader strategic initiatives to accelerate growth. These are intended to complement the broader review and enable Rivalry to fully capitalize on the performance capacity of its rebuilt model.

As the Company progresses into H2 2025, key initiatives include:

  • Deployment of a new promo engine, enabling more dynamic and cost-efficient bonus structures.
  • Casino-led engagement mechanics, including lootboxes, missions, and summer campaigns to drive offseason activation.
  • Geographic reactivations and enhanced CRM, focused on high-value player segmentation and deeper lifecycle engagement.
  • Further operating cost reductions in Q3 2025, aimed at lowering the breakeven point and increasing flexibility.

Rivalry’s transformation over the past three quarters has positioned the business with a distinct set of structural advantages: a deeply aligned and experienced team, proprietary technology and BI systems, strong regulatory licenses in Ontario and the Isle of Man, and a globally recognized brand with demonstrated reach. These strengths now form the basis of a highly scalable and differentiated operator in the global online gambling market.

“Rivalry today is a high-performance engine – structurally rebuilt, road-tested, and positioned to scale,” said Salz. “We’re focused on unlocking the next chapter of growth, and the strategic review process is designed to support that path.”

The post Rivalry Reports Q1 2025 Results Highlighting Strengthened Unit Economics, Operating Leverage, and Strategic Progress appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Trending