This week’s State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, includes the launch of sports betting in Arizona, as well as standards for betting and igaming for Ontario’s upcoming market opening and an audit into the DC Lottery’s Gambet.
Arizona sports betting market opens for business
Arizona has launched its legal sports wagering market, with DraftKings and BetMGM among the operators to go live in the state on opening day.
The US Department of Interior in May approved a bill that formalized an amended compact, setting out measures allowing players to bet on sports at tribal casinos and sites owned by major league sports teams in Arizona.
Ontario releases final sports and events betting gaming standards
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has released its final igaming sports and event betting regulatory standards, which include changes to advertising standards and integrity rules.
Single-event sports betting was officially launched in Canada on August 27, after Bill C-218 became law, but currently is only operated by provincial lotteries. However, Ontario has taken steps to liberalise its market.
Audit finds DC Lottery sports betting app “fails to meet expectations”
An audit carried out by the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor (ODCA) has concluded that the DC Lottery’s sportsbook product GamBet has performed far below expectations for its launch.
As a result, the report called for the state to offer improved odds, license more private sportsbooks and reduce expense payments to sportsbook provider Intralot.
Arizona tribe continues bid to block sports betting with amended lawsuit
Arizona’s Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe has resubmitted its complaint calling for courts to suspend sports betting, which was legalised earlier this month, within the state.
The tribe had failed in a bid for declaratory and injunctive relief to block the launch of of sports betting in Arizona after the Maricopa County Superior Court denied their lawsuit.
Scientific Games expects revenue for SG Lottery to pass $1bn in 2021
Scientific Games expects its lottery division to break $1bn in revenue this year, after accelerating plans to divest the business unit.
The gaming giant has released detailed information regarding SG Lottery’s performance and future opportunities to interested parties, in connection with its previously announced intention to divest the business as part of a strategic review.
Greentube enters US market through NJ deal with GNOG
Novomatic’s online division Greentube will enter the US market, through a new partnership with Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) in New Jersey.
The supplier said the supply deal is the first of many that will see it expand across the US with more operators and into more states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Catena Media acquires affiliate assets from i15 Media
Affiliate group Catena Media has acquired online sports betting and casino affiliation assets from i15 Media, LLC for a total purchase price of $45.0m.
The acquired assets comprise over 100 affiliate sites and domains including state-specific websites such as Michigansharp.com and NYSportsDay.com, as well as US-wide websites like Bonus.com and Gamblingonline.com.
Chinese group ZK increases stake in MaximBet
MaximBet has brought in $10m of additional investment as it continues its roll-out across the US.
The Carousel Group-operated betting brand, which bears the name of the men’s lifestyle magazine, has welcomed the funding from existing investor ZK International Group, a China-based engineering company.
PointsBet signs market access deal in Texas
PointsBet has become a founding partner of new Major League Soccer (MLS) team Austin FC.
As the Texas-based club’s exclusive and official sports betting partner, PointsBet will receive prominent exposure at Austin FC’s new 20,500-capacity Q2 Stadium. The operator will give its name to the PointsBet Sports Bar, which offers food and beverage options as well as hosting 18 television monitors and table games.
Connecticut secures DoI approval for amended gaming compacts
The US Department of the Interior (DoI) has given its approval to proposed revisions to gaming compacts between the state of Connecticut and both the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Mohegan Tribe.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont agreed the amended compacts with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes in March this year as part of an effort to legalize sports betting and online casino across the state.
Iowa posts first month-on-month betting handle increase since March
Iowa saw a double-digit rise in betting volume during August as the state recorded its first month-over-month gain in betting handle since March, but revenue was down.
Iowa’s online and retail operators welcomed $108.4m of wagers during the final month before the start of the NFL season, up 116% year-on-year and 21% compared to July 2021.
Indiana records year-on-year betting revenue and handle increases
The state of Indiana achieved sports wagering revenue figures of $16.5m for the month of August, representing a 68.4% increase on the same period last year.
The figure, however, is a slight decrease from the previous month, dropping by 5.7%.
Tipico to enter Indiana and Iowa through Caesars market access deals
Tipico has agreed a deal with Caesars Entertainment that will see the German operator gain access to Indiana and Iowa’s mobile betting markets, with scope to expand into additional states in future.
Tipico will operate sports betting in Indiana under the master license held by Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, while in Indiana it will operate on Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf’s license.
DoI approves three more Washington state sports betting tribal compacts
The United States Department of Interior (DoI) has approved three further sports betting compacts for the Muckleshoot, Colville and Shoalwater Bay tribes.
The three tribes were among 11 that agreed sports wagering compact agreements with the Washington State Gambling Commission in May. This was allowed after House Bill 2638, which authorizes in-person sports betting at class III tribal gaming facilities, was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee in March 2020.
PLLAY Labs appoints former NV regulator Lipparelli to advisory board
Video game wagering platform provider PLLAY Labs has appointed former Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) chairman and state senator Mark Lipparelli to its strategic advisory board.
Lipparelli, currently chairman and chief executive of Gioco Ventures, joins Philadelphia-headquartered PLLAY as it scales to support growth and demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) driven platform.
GiG appoints David Elmore to VP of sales for North America
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has announced the appointment of David Elmore as VP of sales for North America.
Previously, Elmore worked at regulatory laboratory GLI for 14 years, most recently in the position of global sales and development manager. In this role he focused on sales to land-based casino groups and local tribes, as well as testing.
Paysafe appoints ex-Draftkings exec Cutler to lead North America business
Payment platform Paysafe has announced the appointment of Zak Cutler as CEO of its North America igaming arm.
Cutler previously worked in executive roles for Jackpocket and DraftKings.
MaximBet gains market access in two more states
Lifestyle brand Maxim is set to take its new betting brand into two more states after securing market access in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Carousel Group-operated MaximBet, which recently debuted in Colorado, will gain access in Pennsylvania through its agreement with Caesars Entertainment and also now has online sports betting access in Ohio.