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PlayCanada: Online Casino Revenue Will Dwarf Online Sportsbooks

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3 years ago

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Online casino betting drove 153% more operator revenue and 339% more in tax revenue than sports betting last year in U.S. markets where both are legal, according to a recent analysis by PlayCanada.com, which tracks the fledgling Canadian gaming market. A similar revenue gap will likely be coming to Ontario, too, as the province prepares to open the market to private online sportsbooks and launch online casino gambling on April 4.

“Sports betting gets more attention, but it will be online casinos that deliver the truly eye-popping numbers,” said Robyn McNeil, lead analyst for PlayCanada.com. “In the U.S. states where online casino gambling has been legalized and regulated, online casino revenue dwarfs online sports betting revenue.”

Ontario plans to open to private online casino and sportsbook operators on April 4. That will make the province the sixth jurisdiction in Canada and the U.S. to legalize and regulate both online casino gaming and online sports betting, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut in the United States.

When Ontario does launch, it can expect that online casinos will grab a much larger share in revenue.

In 2021, online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia produced:

  • (U.S.) $3.8 billion in gross operator revenue. By contrast, online sports betting operators produced (U.S.)$1.5 billion.
  • (U.S.)$976.8 million in state and local tax revenue. Meanwhile, sportsbooks produced (U.S.)$222.4 million in state and local taxes.

The $3.8 billion in casino revenue in 2021 in those four states was more than the $3.6 billion in revenue that all U.S. online sportsbooks generated in the same year. Sports betting was legal in five times as many states last year.

Such a chasm is why operators known best for sports betting, including DraftKings and FanDuel, have joined other major North American brands, such as BetMGM, in investing heavily in their online casino products.

“Online casinos are not only more profitable than sportsbooks, but they are also less subject to the seasonal ebbs and flows that affect sports betting,” said Eric Ramsey, lead data analyst for the Play network of sites that includes PlayCanada.com and PlayOntario.com. “In the U.S., revenue from online casino betting has consistently grown month over month, and has done so for years in even the most established markets.”

Michigan, which allows online sportsbook operators to use promotional credits to offset their tax obligation, showed the greatest discrepancy in 2021. Michigan’s online casinos produced (U.S.)$1.3 billion in operator revenue, which was 281% more than the (U.S.)$292.2 million that sportsbooks generated. The online casino revenue led to a (U.S.)$279.3 million tax injection into state and local coffers, 2,364% more than the $11.3 million contribution from sportsbooks.

“The disparity in the U.S. between online casino and sportsbook revenue is instructive for Canadian regulators,” Ramsey said. “Regulators should take care in creating rules around these promotional credits, which have really sapped the tax potential from sportsbooks in some U.S. states like Michigan.”

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Africa

INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER

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2 days ago

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April 14, 2025

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Leading B2B games provider, Incentive Games, today announced its new agreement with premium gaming company and content provider Light & Wonder, Inc.

Through this agreement, Incentive Games will distribute its premium pay-to-play games – including new arcade-style titles – to key global regulated markets including the USA, Canada, South Africa, UK, and within Europe via Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network. Additionally, Incentive Games’ popular free-to-play content will be made available to a wider audience through Light & Wonder’s content marketplace.

The agreement brings together two industry leaders in iGaming and the strengths of both companies to deliver exceptional player experiences and elevate customer engagement.

Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games said, “This agreement is a landmark moment in our company’s history. Previously, we’ve worked directly with major operators such as bet365, FanDuel, and Sky Bet. Now, we can distribute our games via Light & Wonder, an exceptional aggregator that we trust will handle our games with care.”

Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, said: “We are excited to work with Incentive Games, a leader in gamification solutions. We look forward to leveraging their innovative platform and bringing their customisable crash and fast game content to all major regulated markets.”

The post INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Soft2Bet’s ToonieBet Partners with the Ottawa Senators as Official Online Casino Partner

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2 days ago

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April 14, 2025

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With the Ottawa Senators securing a playoff spot in the NHL, ToonieBet will be there every step of the way, engaging fans with exclusive giveaways, premium entertainment, and a casino experience that mirrors the team’s energy and excitement.

The Ottawa Senators and Tooniebet, an online casino for players across Ontario, announced a partnership that will make Tooniebet the NHL team’s Official Online Casino Partner.

Tooniebet, which launched in 2024 is part of Soft2Bet – one of the world’s fastest growing iGaming turnkey solutions providers with iGaming brands around the world with a portfolio of 19 global licenses, including Ontario.

Additional highlights of the Ottawa Senators and TonnieBet partnership will include:

  • In-Arena & Broadcast Branding: Digitally enhanced dashboards for home and away games
  • In-rink board signage for home games
  • Virtual slot signage for various games
  • Digital inventory throughout the Ottawa Senators site on NHL.com
  • Direct Fan Engagement: Social contests and promotions hosted on Senators’ digital platforms
  • Television Broadcast Branding: Digitally enhanced rink boards for home and away games
  • In-arena rink board signage for home games

Martin Ballard, VP Corporate Partnerships, Ottawa Senators stated: “We are thrilled to welcome ToonieBet as an official partner of the Ottawa Senators. Cooperating with a brand that shares our commitment to providing fans with an exceptional and trusted experience is incredibly exciting. Together, we look forward to delivering memorable moments and engaging our passionate fanbase in new and innovative ways.”

Oksana Tsyhankova, Chief Marketing Officer at Soft2Bet, commented: “Partnering Soft2Bet’s ToonieBet brand with the Ottawa Senators is a significant milestone that reinforces our strong brand presence in Ontario. In a short period, we have achieved impressive performance and retention results, with a primary focus on localised, engaging experiences for Canadian players, which makes ToonieBet truly set itself apart.”

By tapping into the Senators’ digital platforms and in-arena presence, ToonieBet will stay close to the action and connect with fans in real, engaging ways while continuing to offer a top-quality online casino experience.

ToonieBet offers a fast, localised online casino experience for players in Ottawa and across Ontario.  Through this partnership, fans will have the chance to win Senators merchandise and tickets while ToonieBet grows its presence in a competitive Ontario market. With in-arena branding, regional broadcast coverage, and digital promotions, ToonieBet will be highly visible to the team’s loyal supporters.

The post Soft2Bet’s ToonieBet Partners with the Ottawa Senators as Official Online Casino Partner appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Aaron LaBerge

PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone iCasino App, theScore Casino, in Ontario

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6 days ago

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April 10, 2025

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PENN Entertainment announced that it has launched theScore Casino, a new stand-alone iCasino app in Ontario. The dedicated online casino experience leverages the popular theScore brand, which has been a mainstay in the Ontario market for decades. Now available on Android, iOS, and desktop, customers can login using their existing theScore Bet credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across online gaming platforms.

theScore Casino operates on the same cutting-edge proprietary technology platform as PENN’s online Hollywood Casino, which launched as a standalone product in the US in December. The product was recently ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US.

theScore Casino, also available within theScore Bet app, offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house game development studio. theScore Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as Blue Jays Blackjack, an original title leveraging theScore Bet’s partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“We’re excited to introduce our dedicated iCasino product in Ontario under the well-known and trusted theScore brand. We’ve built a strong online gaming foothold in the Ontario market and are primed to deliver an even better casino experience with our proven stand-alone app. Our customer-friendly platform features more than 1200 games, dozens of original titles and intuitive game play that distinguishes our product and positions us for even greater success,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment.

The post PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone iCasino App, theScore Casino, in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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