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PlayIA.com: Iowa sportsbooks set per-day betting record during $144 million February

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Iowa sportsbooks took in nearly $144 million in bets in February and took in more bets per day than in the state’s history, even as the state’s month-over-month handle fell from January’s surge. The bottom line is that the Hawkeye State’s sportsbooks continue to reap significant benefits of no in-person registration requirements, according to analysts for PlayIA, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state.

“Iowa remains perhaps the most compelling case study yet on the effects of in-person registration requirements,” said Jessica Welman, an analyst for PlayIA.com. “February is a short month with only one NFL game to bet on, the Super Bowl, so the relatively flat month-over-month results can be misleading on the surface. But another strong showing still places Iowa in a class of states that are either larger or have far more mature gaming markets. And that would not be possible under the old requirements.”

Online and retail sportsbooks generated $143.6 million in wagers in February, according to official data released Friday. That is down 3.9% from the record $149.5 million handle in January. But betting per day in the 28 days of the month was a record $5.1 million, which was up from the $4.8 million per day bet in the 31 days of January.

February’s handle pushed Iowa’s lifetime handle to $1.1 billion, surpassing an eye-catching milestone.

The biggest reason for the two-month surge is the removal of in-person registration requirements in January. In fact, FanDuel reported new customer registrations multiplied by nearly a factor of seven from December to January, a direct result of the easing of registration requirements. And DraftKings said that by Jan. 5, it had registered more customers via mobile registration than through all of 2020.

Net receipts for sportsbooks did fall 32% month over month, to $7.7 million in February from $11.3 million in January. The month’s revenue still yielded $520,444 in state taxes.

As immediate and significant an effect as the removal of in-person registration requirements has been, it is not the sole reason the state’s sportsbooks remained busy in February. The Super Bowl brought in $16.2 million in wagers, most of which came in February. Bookmakers also benefited from robust interest in men’s college basketball, particularly No. 5 Iowa and Drake, which sits just outside the Top 25.

“When local teams enjoy strong seasons, as both Iowa and Drake are, interest in betting on their games goes up. We see that in every regulated sports betting market in the U.S.,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for PlayIA.com. “With March Madness on the horizon, more growth almost certainly lies ahead. And sportsbooks should get an even bigger boost if Iowa or Drake can manage a prolonged run in the NCAA Tournament.”

For the month, online sports betting accounted for $143.6 million, or 87.2%, of the state’s overall handle. That brings it closer in line with markets with more mature online sports betting and no on-site registration requirements. In those states, about 90% of all bets are made online.

The surge in online sports betting continues to heat up the race for market share among operators. Iowa’s first online operator in August 2019, William Hill — which partners in Iowa with Prairie Meadows, Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs, Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Isle of Capri Bettendorf, Lakeside, and Harrah’s Council Bluffs — retook the online market lead with $45.2 million in online wagers in February. That netted a market-leading $2 million in receipts.

The Wild Rose license, which is anchored by DraftKings but includes BetRivers, took in $38.9 million in online wagers and $1.5 million net receipts. FanDuel, the nation’s largest sportsbook brand, helped put Diamond Jo in third place with $28.4 million in online bets, up from $26.9 million in January. Diamond Jo’s license, which includes BetMGM, netted $1.5 million on those bets.

Still emerging from COVID-related restrictions, retail betting generated $18.4 million, down from $28.8 million. Ameristar topped the retail market with $4.5 million in wagers, just ahead of Diamond Jo Worth’s $4.2 million.

William Hill and its partners lead across all betting platforms, with a combined retail and online handle of $50 million, or 34.8% of the state’s handle. In a U.S. market dominated by FanDuel and DraftKings, Iowa and Nevada are the only two states in which William Hill is the market leader.

“William Hill is still proving that early entry into a market is critically important,” Welman said. “But DraftKings and FanDuel are investing heavily in Iowa, and with their brand recognition, they are seeing a rapid return on that investment. We’ll see how long William Hill is able to hold them off.”

For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Iowa, visit PlayIA.com/news.

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Barry Sanders

Derek Jeter Joins BetMGM’s Team of Legendary Ambassadors

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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.

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Octoplay Makes United States Market Debut Through Strategic Partnership with BetMGM in New Jersey

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Octoplay continues its series of successful partnerships by joining forces with BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, for its highly anticipated United States market debut in New Jersey. This landmark entry into the United States marks a pivotal moment in Octoplay’s North American expansion strategy, bringing its premium product portfolio to American players. The strategic partnership with BetMGM establishes Octoplay’s first active U.S. collaboration and follows the company’s recently obtained Michigan provisional license, setting the stage for an accelerated North American rollout in 2025.

This partnership builds on Octoplay’s successful collaboration with BetMGM in Ontario, where the company first debuted Jackpot Blitz – a bespoke version of its popular jackpot system built in close collaboration with BetMGM. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Ontario, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and a provisional license in Michigan, Octoplay advances its strategic market roadmap in key jurisdictions worldwide.

“Our New Jersey launch with BetMGM represents a key milestone in our North American strategy” says Ralitsa Georgieva, Director of Business Development at Octoplay. “This partnership connects our content with players in the largest U.S. iGaming market, providing a foundation for our continued expansion across North America in 2025.”

Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming, BetMGM, said, “We are pleased to partner with Octoplay for their U.S. debut. Based on the strong performance in other markets and Octoplay’s premium game portfolio, we are confident the content will be a success in New Jersey.”

The integration with BetMGM marks a significant step in Octoplay’s North American strategy. With New Jersey serving as Octoplay’s gateway to the biggest iGaming market, the company stands ready to bring its proven European success to American players throughout 2025 and beyond.

The post Octoplay Makes United States Market Debut Through Strategic Partnership with BetMGM in New Jersey appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Adam Greenblatt

BetMGM Partners with Las Vegas Aces

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BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, and the Las Vegas Aces announced that BetMGM is the exclusive online casino and sportsbook partner of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. The agreement runs through the 2027 season, marking BetMGM’s first major partnership with a women’s professional sports franchise. Key features include prominent signage at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and sponsorship across Aces social media platforms. Added components of the partnership for BetMGM players include courtside access to pre-game shootarounds and luxury VIP seating.

BetMGM will also serve as an authorized gaming partner of the WNBA through the 2027 season. Under the agreement, BetMGM will receive commercial inventory on nationally televised games, WNBA tickets and experiences for its VIP players, the rights to co-branded content across BetMGM’s digital and social platforms, and articles on wnba.com/WNBABet. Additionally, BetMGM plans to release a WNBA-branded online slot game in the near future in jurisdictions where its iGaming platform is live. The slot game will be available exclusively at BetMGM and represents the first-ever WNBA online casino game.

Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, said: “As we enter this era of tremendous growth in women’s sports, BetMGM could not have two better organizations to partner with than the WNBA and the Aces. Not only do the Aces play in our backyard at Mandalay Bay, but they share our commitment to giving back to the community.”

On May 27, executives from BetMGM, Las Vegas Aces, MGM Resorts International, and The Just One Project (a cornerstone nonprofit committed to increasing access to food, resources and supportive services in Southwest Nevada) gathered in front of The Fountains of Bellagio to launch their partnership. Aces President Nikki Fargas and BetMGM Director of Team & League Partnerships Molly Wurdack-Folt led the festivities, unveiling plans for the “BetMGM Steals for Meals” program whereby BetMGM will donate $50 for The Just One Project to provide meals to food-insecure families for every Aces steal at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

“The Las Vegas Aces are proud to partner with BetMGM for many reasons, but especially for the support they will provide to The Just One Project. As one of the best defenses in the league the past few seasons, especially in front of our home fans, and knowing that each steal will help families in need, this gives our team even more incentive to lock down our opponents on the defensive end,” said Fargas.

Lance Evans, SVP Sports and Sponsorships, MGM Resorts International, said: “Since 2018, the Las Vegas Aces have played a pivotal role in our city’s growth as a global sports and entertainment destination. Together with BetMGM, we look forward to hosting gameday events at Mandalay Bay, as well as our other properties, allowing local and visiting fans to interact with their favorite basketball teams.”

Betting on the WNBA has increased exponentially, and BetMGM experienced 133% growth year-over-year during the 2024 season. BetMGM now offers more betting options than ever before including player props, odds on the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup and increased playoff offerings.

“On the heels of an incredible 2024 season when WNBA delivered significant growth in all areas of fan engagement, and with so much excitement surrounding the 2025 season, we want to continue to lean into betting and finding new and innovative ways to engage with our fans and provide the experiences they want,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison.

“BetMGM is doing just that by offering new and expansive betting markets for WNBA fans. And by partnering with the Aces, BetMGM continues to recognize the extraordinary potential for growth that comes from tapping into the power of women’s sports and the connections fans have to their favorite players and teams.”

The post BetMGM Partners with Las Vegas Aces appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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