Connect with us

Canada

Indiana Sportsbooks Impress with $169 Million August as Industry Turns 1, According to PlayIndiana

Published

on

 

Indiana’s sports betting industry capped its tumultuous first year on a high note by posting one of its best months yet. With a full month of major sports, Indiana’s online and retail sportsbook generated $169 million in wagers, seemingly keeping the state’s increasingly tenuous place as the fourth-largest legal market in the U.S., according to PlayIndiana.

“A rebound was inevitable with such an active sports schedule in August, but seeing such an active month is awfully welcome news for Indiana’s sports betting industry,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “August’s results are a clear signal that we are turning the page on its darkest days. The state’s status among legal jurisdictions is relatively safe for now. But Indiana also faces some headwinds, including increased competition in Illinois and Michigan.”

Indiana’s August handle was the state’s third-largest monthly total since the industry launched on Sept. 1, 2019, and the largest since sportsbooks generated a record $187.2 million in February, according to official reporting released Friday.

August’s bets produced $9.8 million in adjusted gross revenue, up 47.7% from July, and yielded $934,314 in tax revenue for the state.

Through the industry’s first 12 months, Indiana produced:

  • $1.2 billion in wagers
  • $94.8 million in adjusted gross revenue
  • $9 million in state taxes

Through those 12 months, Indiana trailed only NevadaNew Jersey, and Pennsylvania in total wagers. But Indiana’s next 12 months will bring more challenges.

“This has been an eventful first year for Indiana sportsbooks, and increasing competition from neighboring states and rapidly growing jurisdictions such as Colorado will continue to put pressure on Indiana’s status,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “An Illinois expansion of online betting could really affect Indiana. In that case, the state’s sportsbooks will have to be creative in attracting new bettors within the state to help blunt the loss of the Chicago market. And Indiana is still in position to capitalize on large markets in Ohio and Kentucky.”

The positive effect of a busy sports schedule in August was immediate. Basketball generated $55.2 million in bets, the most of any sport in August.

“The positive attributes of Indiana’s market never went away while the sports world ground to a halt,” Gouker said. “Even as competition grows, Hoosier State sportsbooks will remain popular so long as the sports schedule stays active.”

Online betting generated 85.1%, or $143.9 million, of August’s handle. That is down from 91.1% in July as retail sportsbooks continue to work to regain their footing.

DraftKings/Ameristar Casino remained the online market leader with $73.7 million in bets, up from $32.9 million in July. That produced $5.2 million in gross receipts, up from $2.2 million July. FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino followed with $50.1 million in bets, up from $24.2 million.

Retail sportsbooks picked up in August, generating a $25.1 million handle in August. Hollywood Lawrenceburg’s $6.9 million handle easily led the retail market.

“Even though Indiana’s industry is 1, it is still gaining maturity,” Welman said. “Online sportsbooks like BetIndiana and theScore Bet are expected to launch soon, and the growth of major players like PointsBet and BetMGM have been stunted because they launched just before the shutdown. The more sportsbooks that launch in the state, the higher the level of competition will become, and that will be good for bettors.”

For more information, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.

About the PlayUSA.com Network:

The PlayUSA.com Network and its state-focused branches is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the U.S.

 

SOURCE PlayIndiana.com

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Betty

Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

Published

on

thunderkick-commits-to-growth-in-ontario-with-betty-partnership

 

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.

Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.

Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.

Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.

Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.

Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.

“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”

Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.

“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”

The post Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

BCLC

Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

Published

on

save-the-date:-bclc’s-new-horizons-in-safer-gambling-conference-returns-november-2026

 

BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.

This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].

Registration and program details will be released later this fall.

The post Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Canada

absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

Published

on

absolutebet-secures-agco-registration-as-an-internet-gaming-operator-in-ontario

 

Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).

The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.

Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestoneit’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”

On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”

Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.

 

The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Trending