Canada
The US Online Sport Betting and iGaming markets – choosing the right partner for a brighter future
In the United States, Online Gaming* has grown in popularity over the last year, increasing customers base and gaming revenue. The US Online Gaming market is valued at 2B USD and the forecast is to grow further and reach 8.5B USD GGR by 2025, representing a CAGR of over 15%.
*Online Gaming is referring to iGaming (aka internet casino/poker gaming) and online Sports Betting (aka Mobile Sports Wagering)
Circa one-third of states already legalized at least one form of online gaming and others are in the process. I It is clear the growth potential is massive after the pandemic put the entire online industry on steroids. Struggling brick-and-mortar organizations realized that online presence is not just good, but a must-have. It is estimated that the portion of the online gaming revenues from the total gambling revenue in the US is now 20% and it is predicted to double by 2023, on account of additional skins going live, enlarged customers base and more states legalizing online gaming. In 2020, the total GGR from Online Gaming in four of the states- Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia and Pennsylvania reached over 1.5B USD, representing 200% Y2Y growth. New Jersey with share out of it is almost $1B and Pennsylvania above $500m. New Jersey is currently the largest market for regulated online gambling in the United States. In March this year, the New Jersey operators scooped up 113.7m USD 21%+ M2M. Pennsylvania is the fastest growing market in the US and it attracts operators and providers even though the tax rates – Video Slots 54%, Table games 34% and Poker 16%.
Enjoying the politician support, giving additional state tax revenues from GGR and licensing, increasing in-state employment and decreasing illegal betting through a regulated framework, the online gaming market will continue to thrive. Online Gaming holds a broader potential than the immediate market operators and providers. There is an entire ecosystem of providers in many fields like KYC automation, Anti-fraud and AML systems, AI and machine learning systems, CRM, BI, Gamification tools, payment processors and many more. In other words this means more indirect taxation and more jobs. Seeing the potential, operators can also take advantage of the growing interest of venture capital organizations and investment banks which have started investing their time, effort and money in the industry. Apart from Tennessee, the regulator has given advantage to the brick-and-mortar establishments, which should remove some of the fear of losing revenues. As online regulation will cannibalize land based establishment revenues, mainly from the younger demographic (under 50 years old), going online is a necessity. Not doing so would simply mean that potential online customers will seek to do business elsewhere.
The potential to boost land-based establishments with online gaming revenues comes from the fact that online availability is 24/7, richer products and betting options. It is easily accessible on mobile devices and it extends the business, geographically, throughout the given state boundary
The twelve years between the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and the supreme court ruling in New Jersey in 2018 have created an online gaming knowledge gap that US gambling professionals are steadily catching up with by self-learning or/and M&A deals with European technology companies which already have the know-how. The Black Friday in 2011 has left a strong impression that things have changed and being compliant is crucial. Land-based establishments which wish to go online are required to close the gaps regarding online gaming products as well as having better understanding of the regulatory framework requirements of each state and implement technologies which are quite different from the land-based ones. As the payment processing options are richer, player acquisition and retention techniques are various, CSD will also need to be brought up in line with the changes. Unlike the players in Europe who were gradually introduced to new services, products and functionalities over the last decade, the US players are getting almost complete product in one step.
While the potential is clear, the road to success is not without hurdles, starting with skin licensing, liquidity allocation and financing. A crucial challenge on hand is to identify the right provider to partner up with. Some Casino owners will look for complete control over the new B2C operation, while others may be reluctant to obtain the know-how and would like to hand the operation to a trusted and experienced 3rd party to run it for them, or to “sell” one of their skins, if multiple skins are allowed. Some states allow just one skin per license, while others do not specify a limit. For instance, PGCB in Pennsylvania offers unlimited skins for iGaming licenses, but only one for Sports Betting licenses. Seven jurisdictions are now allowing iGaming and 22 legalized online sports betting. The multi-skin approach is crucial to maintain the diverse and healthy competition. Consumers will be empowered and enjoy better service, and online offering as many more operators are in a given state
Running an iGaming and/or Sports Betting operation is a complex task. Some land-based Casinos are familiar with only running a slot and table games business. With only five states legalizing online casinos, the know-how of Sports Betting is critical; therefore, partnering with the right Sports Betting and Casino partner, like Delasport, is vital. Choosing the right partner can put the land base organizations in the best position to capitalize on Casino and Sports Betting’s opportunities.
Delasport brings to the table the right ingredients to support the local brick-and-mortar establishment. We offer not just technology but also many years of experience in running successful online Sports Betting and Casino operations from the ground up. We support both strategies of turnkey solutions, allowing operators to run their brand and fully managed solutions while we run the day-to-day operations.
AGCO
AGCO Requires Ontario Gaming Operators to Stop Offering WBA Bets Due to Integrity Concerns
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has mandated all Ontario-registered sportsbook operators to halt offering and accepting wagers on World Boxing Association (WBA) events immediately. This measure is being taken to protect the Ontario betting public following concerns that WBA-sanctioned boxing matches are not adequately being safeguarded against match-fixing and insider betting.
Since December 2023, the AGCO has been conducting a comprehensive review of suspicious wagering activity on a WBA-sanctioned title fight between Yoenis Tellez and Livan Navarro that was held in Orlando, Florida. Suspicious betting patterns on the bout lasting over 5.5 rounds were reported to the AGCO by two registered independent integrity monitors and detected in Ontario by a registered igaming operator. Media reports also alleged that Tellez’s Manager placed $110,000 on the match lasting longer than 5.5 rounds at a Florida casino. The bout ended with Tellez knocking out Navarro in the 10th round.
Following an intensive review that included outreach to the WBA, Ontario-registered gaming operators, independent integrity monitors, and regulators in other jurisdictions, the AGCO has concluded that bets related to WBA events do not currently meet the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.
The AGCO requires all Ontario-registered gaming operators to ensure the sport betting products they offer are on events that are effectively supervised by a sport governing body. At a minimum, the sport governing body must have and enforce codes of conduct that prohibit betting by insiders.
Registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate to the AGCO that the WBA prohibits betting from insiders, which could include an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals, or others with access to non-public information. Further, registered gaming operators were unable to demonstrate that the WBA took any action to investigate or enforce the allegations of potential match-fixing and insider wagering.
The AGCO has indicated to registered operators that in order for WBA betting products to be reinstated in Ontario, operators must demonstrate that the WBA effectively supervises its events, thus bringing them into compliance with the Registrar’s Standards. In December 2022, the AGCO required gaming operators to stop offering bets on UFC events for similar issues related to insider betting safeguards. Within a month, UFC amended its policies and implemented new protocols that allowed the AGCO to reinstate betting on UFC events in the province.
“Ontarians who wish to bet on sporting events need to be confident that those events are fairly run, and that clear integrity safeguards are in place and enforced by an effective sport governing body. Knowing the popularity of boxing in Ontario, we look forward to reinstating betting on WBA events once appropriate safeguards against possible match-fixing and insider betting have been confirmed,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Registrar and CEO of AGCO, said.
Andrew Cochrane Chief Business Officer of GiG
GiG increases Ontario market presence, powering the launch of Casino Time
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG), has announced the launch of Casino Time, powered by its award winning iGaming platform and pioneering real-time rules engine LogicX, with revolutionary sportsbook, SportX soon to follow, to further extend its footprint in the regulated Canadian province of Ontario.
The launch of Casino Time carries extra significance, marking only the second time that on-demand, regulated online Bingo has been made available in Ontario. The new Bingo product vertical, launched alongside a strong Casino offering, will be boosted by GiG’s new sportsbook, SportX, as part of a planned release later this year.
GiG has focused its solutions on driving exponential growth in revenue for operators with its highly scalable iGaming platform, offering localised third party content and leading suppliers for the Ontarian market. GiGs peerless gamification layer creates an optimised and immersive casino experience tailored to regional preferences, swelling client retention and player engagement.
Canadian owned and operated, Casino Time is a joint venture amongst leading retail operators in Ontario’s Charitable Gaming sector, delivering Bingo, Slots and Live Dealer Casino Games. Promising a personalised service and community experience, Casino Time is continuing its long-standing partnership with local charities, introducing its joint fundraising model into the iGaming space for the first time.
Now coming towards the end of its second year of licensed operations, Ontario has emerged as one of the largest iGaming markets in North America, second only to New Jersey according to data supplied by Vixio. The first and as yet only Canadian province to launch a regulated market, Ontario boasts more than 1.6 million active player accounts spread over 40 plus operators, generating €1.3 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in its first year of trading, with this data supplied by iGaming Ontario.
Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer of GiG, said: “GiG continues to set the pace with a strong cadence of brand launches in 2024, and I’m pleased that when operators are seeking platform solutions in regulated markets, GiG is leading the pack. Our partnership with Casino Time, will help deliver something new and exciting to the Ontarian market, and further helps to demonstrate the flexibility of our solutions, adapting to match the regional aspirations of our partners to deliver growth.”
D’Arcy Stuart, CEO of Casino Time, said: “We are thrilled to partner with GiG as the core technology provider of our iGaming platform. Their powerful suite of player engagement tools, as well as diverse content and regulatory integrations, underpin our ability to serve and delight our player community. Our hybrid online and offline customer network, as well as unique bingo offerings, will drive exciting opportunities as the platform and the marketplace continues to grow.”
Bragg Gaming Group
Bragg Gaming Announces Resignation of Chief Financial Officer
Bragg Gaming Group Inc., a global B2B gaming technology and content provider, announced that Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ronen Kannor, has notified Bragg’s board of directors (Board) that he will resign from his position to pursue other career opportunities, effective June 3, 2024. The Company confirms that the search for a replacement CFO has commenced.
Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board, commented: “We thank Ronen for his dedication and commitment to Bragg over the past four years and for his unwavering service as a pivotal member of the leadership team.
“During his tenure as CFO, the Company has undergone huge positive transformation including being uplisted to the Toronto Stock Exchange, dual listed on the NASDAQ and successfully completing two acquisitions, all while reporting consecutive years of revenue, gross profit and adjusted EBITDA growth. We wish Ronen all the very best in his future endeavors.”
Ronen Kannor commented: “It has been an honor to be part of the Bragg team which has successfully navigated many challenges and continued to deliver consistent growth over the past four years. I thank the Board for their support throughout my time with Bragg, and I am now fully focused on ensuring a smooth handover to my successor.
“Special thanks goes to my finance team, who work tirelessly to deliver the positive change and financial growth that the Company continues to achieve. I wish them and all of my colleagues continued success with Bragg now and in the future.”
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