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

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3 years ago

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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

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BetMGM

Play’n GO announces expansion of BetMGM partnership with Pennsylvania launch

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2024

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Swedish gaming giants’ games now live with leading US operator in Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, and the Keystone State

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced further expansion of its partnership with leading US operator BetMGM,with the Swedish gaming giant’s content now available with the group in Pennsylvania.

Play’n GO and BetMGM’s US partnership has already proven stunningly successful in Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia, and this expansion sees the partnership extend to a fourth US state. Having secured its Pennsylvanian gaming license in March, Play’n GO is now live with two operators in this key state. BetMGM players in Pennsylvania now have access to classic Play’n GO titles, such as Reactoonz.

Play’n GO is now licensed in six US states and is aiming to be active in every regulated market, in the US and around the world.

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Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO said: “We’re pleased to expand our partnership with BetMGM into a fourth US state, and look forward to continued success together. We have always been committed to a safe, regulation-led industry to secure a sustainable future for us all. BetMGM share our vision, and so are a perfect partner for us. We will continue our mission of being active in every regulated market around the world, and we’re excited for further growth opportunities well into the future, in the US and beyond.”

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BetMGM

BetMGM Partners with GameCode

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3 days ago

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April 16, 2024

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BetMGM has announced a partnership with GameCode, a distinguished iGaming company focused on the North American market. The partnership includes the launch of Boom Boom Boom, HammerCash, Gold Gold Gold and Super3 series which are now live at BetMGM in Michigan and New Jersey through direct integration. BetMGM plans to offer GameCode’s full portfolio of games in all jurisdictions where the operator’s iGaming platform is live pending regulatory approvals.

GameCode’s portfolio of slot titles are built on innovative and one-of-a-kind mechanics. They develop a deep understanding of players’ tastes, and it enables them to develop games that deliver a unique and immersive experience. The initial lineup of titles includes Gold Gold Gold Miners Way, Gold Gold Gold Lions Way, HammerCash, CashPile, Triplestones, and the top performing Boom Boom Boom. Boom Boom Boom is an American-themed 5-reel, 3-row video slot featuring Wild Multipliers and the hold and respin feature on multiple reel sets.

“Boom Boom Boom and other GameCode titles have already proven to be strong performers in their first few weeks of launch at BetMGM. Our mission is to always innovate with in-house, exclusive content with Entain and partners like GameCode to provide our players with an iGaming experience that rises above the rest. This will continue to position us as a destination for players and first choice for suppliers of premium content,” Oliver Bartlett, Vice President of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, said.

“At GameCode, we focus on creating good games rather than disposable online gaming content. With experience gained in North American land-based casino, we provide a unique understanding of the market and player needs. We aim to make an impact with each title we release and so far we do so. We innovate at a pace that is difficult to catch up with, providing something new every time we launch a title that players have not seen before. So far, in the states we are live, GameCode’s titles are at the top of the rankings. More is coming,” Matt Hanski, Chief Executive Officer at GameCode, said.

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“I’m excited to announce our launch with BetMGM, introducing advanced online slot games powered by our robust in-house technology. These games are hosted on our state-of-the-art Remote Gaming Server (RGS) which is the backbone of its performance and security. It is a long-term play to develop and maintain a RGS that is designed with multiple layers of protection, ensuring the highest standard of data security and integrity in compliance with U.S. regulations. This launch is a testament to our dedication to providing secure, reliable, and immersive gaming experiences,” Wojciech Ziniewicz, Chief Technology Officer at GameCode, said.

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Adam Greenblatt

Prove Identity Partners with BetMGM

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2 weeks ago

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April 4, 2024

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Prove Identity Inc., the global leader in digital identity, announced a strategic partnership with BetMGM, a sports betting and iGaming leader, to enhance the security and user experience for BetMGM customers through the cutting-edge Prove Pre-Fill identity solution.

Prove Pre-Fill accelerates digital consumer onboarding by up to 79% and is used by more than 1000 businesses globally across diversified industries, including 9 of the top 10 banks. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Prove’s journey toward providing seamless and secure digital sports betting and casino services in the U.S. states where BetMGM operates, pending regulatory approval.

“BetMGM is an innovator in the space, always looking to find new and compelling ways to improve the online gaming experience. Prove Pre-Fill is the latest example of that and allows customers to get access to the content they desire faster than ever before through the identity verification process, enabling them to take full advantage of BetMGM’s vast product offerings,” Tom Hill, Director of Digital Identity and Head of Sports Betting and iGaming at Prove, said.

“We’re committed to providing customers with a seamless and secure sports betting experience, and our partnership with Prove is a testament to that safe bet. Prove Pre-Fill adds an extra layer of security, reduces sign-up abandonment, and improves the overall user experience by streamlining the identity verification and authentication processes. Users can now enjoy the BetMGM sports betting and casino experience faster and with greater peace of mind,” Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, said.

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Key Highlights of the Partnership:

  1. Streamlining User Onboarding: Prove Pre-Fill technology will revolutionize the onboarding process for BetMGM users, minimizing sign-up abandonment rates. By simplifying and expediting account creation, BetMGM aims to provide a frictionless experience from the start.
  2. Preventing Bonus and Promotion Abuse: Prove’s solutions will be crucial in preventing rampant bonus and promotion abuse – for example, using the same bonus code multiple times normally intended for only first-time users – within the BetMGM digital sports betting and casino platforms. This ensures a fair and secure user environment, fostering a trustworthy and enjoyable gaming experience.
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