This week’s State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, covers the first full-month figures from New Hampshire, as well as the latest numbers from Nevada and Rhode Island. Elsewhere, new betting bills have been filed in New Jersey and Arizona, while GAN is looking to list on a US exchange.
New Hampshire sports betting handle reaches $17.3m in first month
Consumers in New Hampshire bet a total of $17.3m on sports during the first full month of legal wagering in the US state.
The New Hampshire Lottery and partner DraftKings officially launched mobile and online sports betting in the state on December 30, with players able to bet digitally or in person at retail locations.
Full details of the first month of wagering were not disclosed, but the Lottery did reveal that net profit from sports betting in January came in at more than $1.2m.
More than 29,100 people also registered to place legal sports wagers in the state.
Nevada sets sports handle record for 2019
Sports bettors in Nevada wagered a record $5.32bn, up 6.1% from 2018’s previous record.
The state’s casinos took in a total of $12.03bn in revenue for the year, up 1.0% year-on-year and the highest figure since 2007.
In total, casinos made $329.1m in revenue from sports betting, up 9.5%.
Nevada continued to lead all states in sports betting handle and revenue, ahead of New Jersey’s $299.4m of revenue on a handle of $4.58bn.
RI sports betting revenue reaches $12.0m in first half
The Rhode Island Lottery has reported sports betting revenue of $12.0m for the first half of the state’s 2020 financial year.
Consumers wagered a total of $132.0m on sports betting during the six months to December 31 2019, winning $120.0m in the process.
Twin River’s Lincoln casino was responsible for the majority of revenue in the first half, generating $7.9m in revenue from $85.8m in total wagers, as players won $77.9m.
In comparison, the Twin River Tiverton casino reported $2.0m in revenue from $20.0m in wagers for the period, with consumers winning $18.0m.
GAN files with SEC for US listing
Gambling software provider GAN has submitted a draft registration statement to the Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC) to publicly list its stock on an American exchange.
The supplier said that it intends to list its stock after the SEC completes its review process.
GAN is currently listed on the London stock exchange, with its stock opening at £173.00 today (February 3). GAN has not yet announced on which US exchange the business intends to be listed.
NJ bill would allow esports bets without DGE approval
New Jersey state representative Ralph Caputo has introduced a bill that would allow operators to take bets on esports without needing to ask for Division of Gaming Enforcement’s approval.
Currently, betting on esports events can be permitted by the DGE, which determines whether to allow betting on such an event on a case-by-case basis.
However, in practice this has led to a very slot uptake of esports betting, with only BetMGM-GVC joint venture Roar Digital taking up the opportunity. Roar took bets for the League of Legends World Championship online and at the Borgata Casino in November.
Clarion welcomes American Gaming Awards to ICE North America
Clarion Gaming has teamed up with Gambling.com Group to host the second edition of the affiliate giant’s Amercian Gambling Awards at May’s ICE North America conference.
The awards, launched in 2019, are the first and only ceremony dedicated to the US online gambling market, celebrating business and operational excellence, and the individuals that are driving the growth of the market.
CDI launches BetAmerica online casino in Pennsylvania
Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has announced the launch of a BetAmerica-branded online casino platform in the state of Pennsylvania.
The new platform will enable players across Pennsylvania to access more than 40 games and slots including tables games such as blackjack and roulette, as well as slot titles Starburst, Divine Fortune and Big Branded Rockin’ Slots.
DraftKings appoints Thurmond to responsible gaming role
Sports wagering and daily fantasy sports operator DraftKings has appointed Christine Thurmond as its new director of responsible gaming.
Reporting to chief compliance officer Tim Dent, Thurmond will oversee the expansion of DraftKings’ responsible gaming framework for its online gaming, sportsbook and fantasy sports products.
NCPG issues guidelines to payment providers
The National Council on Problem Gambling has issued new guidelines to payment providers, reminding them that they can play a “critical role” in reducing gambling-related harm.
The guidelines consist of a series of steps payment providers can take in order to minimize harm.
BetRivers lands multi-state sports betting deal with Hooters
Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and its BetRivers.com sportsbook have entered into a multi-state online and mobile sports wagering partnership with restaurant chain Hooters.
Under the agreement, Hooters will activate KonekTV sports information screens at all of its locations throughout Indiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Fans will be able place bets via the BetRivers sportsbook on their mobile device in real-time while watching events on the screens.
Tribal sports betting bill reintroduced in Arizona
A bill that would legalise land-based sports wagering at tribal casinos and bars in Arizona has been reintroduced into the state’s Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Sonny Borrelli and Representative Steve Pierce, Senate Bill 1525 is a reincarnation of SB 1158, which last year failed to progress past a second reading.
IGT set for Rhode Island joint venture with Twin River
International Game Technology (IGT) has announced a new joint venture with Twin River Worldwide Holdings, with the aim of working together in Rhode Island to improve and expand gambling services in the state.
The proposed joint venture (JV) would be established on January 1, 2022, with IGT holding a 60% controlling stake and Twin River the remaining 40%.
PointsBet reveals 169% turnover hike in Q2
PointsBet has announced a 169% year-on-year rise in turnover for the second quarter, reporting growth across both its Australian and US businesses, while the online sports betting operator has also struck a market access deal in Kansas.
Turnover for the three months to December 31 2019 amounted to Aus$297.3m (£151.5m/€180.3m/US$198.9m), up from $110.6m in the corresponding period last year.