This week’s State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, covers August’s revenue figures from New York’s sports betting market. Elsewhere Michigan Representative Brandt Iden has finally filed his sports betting proposal, while Roar Digital has made its US debut.
New York sports betting revenue more than doubles in August…
New York’s four commercial casinos have reported revenue of $783,896 for August, with the market benefitting significantly from the launch of legal wagering at del Lago Resort & Casino and Resorts World Catskills.
The size of the market doubled in August with the launch of betting at del Lago and Resorts, and accordingly market revenue more than doubled month-on-month, figures from the New York State Gaming Commission show.
August also included the first full-month contributions from Rush Street’s Schenectady-based Rivers Casino, and the FanDuel-partnered Tioga Downs.
Rivers, which is the closest sportsbook to the neighbouring states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont, continues to lead the market, with revenue up 51.3% from July to $445,291.
… as state regulator relaunches gaming market study tender
The New York Gaming Commission has reopened the tender process for an independent company to conduct a study into the expansion of the state’s gaming market.
The Commission originally launched a tender in June, setting a deadline of 31 July for companies to submit study proposals, with a view to having a report completed and published by the end of the year.
However, this appeared to fall behind schedule, with no announcement of any bids on the proposal deadline.
Rather than change the dates, the Commission has relaunched the tender, noting that having a report published quickly is no longer the sole focus.
Iden files sports betting bill in Michigan
Michigan Representative Brandt Iden has introduced his long-awaited bill to legalize sports betting in the state.
House Bill 4916, if passed into law, would permit online and retail wagering, with land-based casino permitted to operate one mobile skin apiece. The Divison of Sports Betting would be created to serve as the regulator for the market.
Operators would be required to pay a $200,000 license fee, followed by a $100,000 annual renewal fee. For management service providers, which would be permitted to operate mobile wagering on behalf of a land-based partner, a $50,000 annual fee would be levied, which drops to $5,000 for suppliers.
Roar Digital launches BetMGM app in New Jersey…
The Roar Digital joint venture between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings has launched its BetMGM online sports betting and gaming app in New Jersey.
BetMGM, which replaces the PlayMGM app that was introduced in the state by MGM in 2017, features the new GVC sportsbook platform as well as a range of traditional casino and poker games previously offered through PlayMGM.
Users will have access to an early cash out service, where they can choose to settle a bet before a game ends, as well as the ability to track their wagers via live scoreboards.
… and lands betting deal with Buffalo Wild Wings
Roar Digital, the joint venture between GVC Holdings and MGM Resorts, has agreed a deal with US sports bar and restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings to jointly deliver sports betting experiences to punters across the country.
Under the multi-year partnership, Buffalo Wild Wings will utilise the Roar Digital’s BetMGM digital gaming platform to offer sports betting in states where regulation permits.
The new partnership will began on 5 September with the launch of a free-to-play, consumer-facing American football game, which goes live in time for the National Football League season kick-off.
Churchill Downs to launch IN Sportsbook with Full House Resorts
Churchill Downs Incorporated has announced an agreement with Full House Resorts to operate a retail sportsbook at Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun Indiana.
Under the deal, Churchill Downs Interactive would also be allowed to offer sports betting at Full House Resorts’ Bronco Billy’s Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado when sports betting launches in the state.
Churchill Downs will launch its BetAmerica-branded sportsbook at the Rising Star, which is located at the Indiana-Kentucky border and less than 40 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio, allowing for further traffic from two states that have not yet legalised sports betting.
Unibet launches first US sportsbook in New Jersey
Kindred Group-owned Unibet has launched its first online sportsbook in the US, going live in New Jersey through its partnership with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Unibet has been running online casino services with Hard Rock in the state since June of this year and will now expand this partnership to include sports betting.
Kambi will serve as sportsbook supplier for the new platform, which will operate via the NJ.unibet.com domain, and through a mobile application.
Delaware iGaming stakes reach $12.5m in August
Revenue from Delaware’s online gambling market increased 30.4% year-on-year in August, with player spend rising to $12.5m.
Revenue for August came in at $290,199.64, compared to $222,504.45 last year, making it the highest monthly total since the $313,648.40 generated in May 2019.
Consumer spending also increased from $8.8m to $12.5m, the highest monthly amount since players spent $14.6m on igaming in March of this year. Players winnings also rose, climbing to $12.3m, compared to $8.6m last year.
FanDuel expands Boyd partnership into Indiana and Iowa
Flutter Entertainment’s FanDuel Group has launched sports betting at Boyd Gaming properties in Indiana and Iowa as it continues to take advantage of its partnership with the operator.
This has seen FanDuel-branded lounges opened in Indiana’s Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa and the Belterra Casino Resort, as well as at two Iowa-based, Diamond Jo-branded casinos.
“Together, Boyd Gaming and FanDuel Group continue to successfully capitalize on the historic opportunity afforded by the legalization and expansion of sports betting in new states across the country,” said Keith Smith, president and chief executive of Boyd Gaming.
Four Winds negotiating new tribal compact for Indiana betting
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, which operates the Four Winds chain of casinos in Indiana and Michigan, has begun negotiations to introduce Class III games, including sports betting, in its South Bend, Indiana venue.
Sports betting was launched in Indiana on September 1, after Governor Eric Holcomb signed the state’s sports betting bill into law in May.
However, while 13 commercial casinos have received authorization from the Indiana Gaming Commission to go live with sports betting, Four Winds — the state’s only tribal casino — would need to negotiate a new compact with the state in order to do so.
MLB to launch new lottery game with EquiLottery
Major League Baseball (MLB) is to become the first professional US sports league to enter the lottery market after announcing plans to launch a new game in partnership with EquiLottery Games.
Based on the patented gaming platform developed by EquiLottery Games, Baseball Bucks will allow MLB fans to purchase a quick pick ticket that features 10 games from that day’s regular season schedule.
Players matching 10 winning teams will win the main prize, while smaller prizes will also be on offer to those who match between seven and nine winning teams.