Gambling in the USA

Indiana Sportsbooks Launch New Year With Record January

Published

5 years ago

February 10, 2020

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

Spurred by basketball, bettors pour more than $170 million in bets into Indiana’s online and retail sportsbooks, according to PlayIndiana.com analysts

Indiana retail and online sportsbooks capitalized on basketball to post a record January and continue to firm up the state’s position as the nation’s fourth-largest legal sports betting market. And with the state enjoying its role as the sports betting capital of the Midwest and new online sportsbooks opening in time for the close to the college basketball season, Indiana could begin to put heat on Pennsylvania to become the nation’s third-largest, according to analysts from PlayIndiana.com.

“Indiana has built an impressive infrastructure that continues to maximize the market’s potential,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “That should help keep the state a step ahead of its competition as neighboring states, such as Michigan, prepare for their own launches.”

Indiana’s $170.8 million handle in January was up 9.5% from the then-record $161.8 million in December, according to official reporting released Monday. Adjusted gross revenue from those bets was $12.9 million, up 9.3% from $12 million. That yielded $1.2 million in tax revenue for the state.

Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Interest in basketball was a catalyst in January, which also featured the NFL Playoffs and college football’s national championship game. Basketball boomed with $59.8 million in bets or 35% of the state’s handle. Football drew $36.7 million.

Online sportsbooks generated $123.4 million in bets in January. Online betting represented 72.2% of January’s handle, up from 69.5% in December. And more growth should come. PointsBet, BetIndiana, and BetMGM are all set for a February launch, bringing Indiana’s number of approved online sportsbook licensees to seven.

Indiana’s embrace of online betting, its near-monopoly of the Midwest, and close proximity to major out-of-state markets such as Chicago, have helped Indiana quickly position itself as the fourth-largest legal sports betting market in the U.S. While still well behind No. 3 Pennsylvania — a much larger state by the population that launched sports betting nearly one year ahead of Indiana — the Hoosier State is well-positioned for more short-term growth.

“Indiana has been remarkably progressive in the way it has managed its sports betting industry, rivaling New Jersey as the most forward-thinking legal jurisdiction,” Gouker said. “Early adoption of online betting, which has been atypical among states with legal sports betting, has been an enormous boost. And innovations such as allowing prop bets for the Super Bowl and opening the door to Oscars betting show Indiana is willing to take risks in opening new markets, which will serve the state well.”

The newcomers have a long way to catch market leader DraftKings, which operates under Ameristar Casino’s license. DraftKings posted a $66 million handle in January, down slightly from $66.7 million in December. That generated $4.6 million in gross receipts, down from $5 million. But FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino inched closer with a $49.5 million handle in January, up from $36 million. That resulted in a $1.9 million win, down from $2.2 million.

The market leaders were followed by:

BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($7.8 million handle, down from $7.9 million; $590,178 win, down from $528,200)
BetAmerica/Rising Star Casino ($89,622 handle, up from $2,129; $1,854 win, up from -$1,173)

Horseshoe Hammond’s proximity to Chicago continued to be a winner, leading the retail market with a $13.7 million January handle, up from $13.4 million in December. Those bets generated $1.8 million in gross receipts, up from $1.1 million. Horseshoe Hammond was followed by:

Hollywood Lawrenceburg ($7.8 million handle in January, down from $8.9 million; $578,993 win, down from $824,235)
Ameristar Casino ($7 million handle, down from $8.3 million; $1.4 million win, up from $928,211)
Harrah’s Hoosier Park ($5.4 million handle, down from $5.7 million; $321,785 win, down from $441,112)
Indiana Grand ($5 million handle, up from $4.6 million; $365,318 win, up from $208,275)
Blue Chip Casino ($2.7 million handle, down from $4.2 million; $$279,868 win, up from $186,802)
Tropicana Evansville ($2 million handle, even with December; $210,974 win, up from $185,176)
Caesars Southern Indiana ($2.4 million handle, up from $1.6 million; $143,966 win, down from $170,884)
French Lick Resort ($533,634 handle, down from $1.5 million; $14,132 win, up from $13,587)
Belterra Casino ($934,724 handle, down from $948,810; $8,077 win, down from $151,640)

“Proximity to Chicago is still a critical advantage in the retail market, but that could change when Illinois launches retail betting, which could happen as early as March,” Gouker said. “FanDuel has made progress in the online market, but it can’t quite overcome DraftKings’ head start. But with new operators coming, the online market could be shaken up, too.”

For more revenue information on Indiana sportsbooks, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 17-23

Published

3 days ago

March 25, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-march-17-23

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

PENN Entertainment announced that its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app has launched in New Jersey. The new Hollywood Casino platform is available on Android, iOS and desktop and can also be accessed via the ESPN BET app. Customers can login to Hollywood Casino using their ESPN BET credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms. Ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US, Hollywood Casino offers a variety of online slots, table games and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house casino game development studio. Hollywood Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as the recently launched Devils Blackjack, an original title leveraging PENN’s partnership with the New Jersey Devils.

Quixant has announced its attendance at and sponsorship of this year’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention (IGA), to be held between March 31 and April 3, 2025 at the San Diego Convention Centre. Described as the largest gathering of tribal leaders and casino executives in North America, IGA 2025 is a key date in the gaming event calendar. Quixant will support the event with sponsorship at the prestigious annual golf tournament, the Chairman’s Golf Classic, which raises funds for the Native Forward Scholarship Fund to improve tribal education throughout North America. The team look forward to engaging with attendees, to explore their opportunities ahead and understand how Quixant can support and enable their success. Quixant’s product range offers game-changing hardware and software solutions that expedite speed to market. Its specialist gaming hardware platforms, IQ, IQON and QMAX can be tailored to different product needs, budgets and markets.

Partnerships

Soft2Bet has announced its plans to launch in the US headlined by the debut of its award-winning Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA) product, made possible through a market access agreement with Caesars Entertainment. The launch will see Soft2Bet unveil a new iGaming brand in New Jersey, following necessary regulatory approvals, and with a targeted launch in the Summer of 2025. Soft2Bet’s award-winning MEGA will soon be available to operators in the US. The MEGA product, which Soft2Bet unveiled in 2023, has quickly redefined and transformed gamification with increased engagement, customised player experience and a proven player retention model. Operators around the world using Soft2Bet’s MEGA gamification technology platform have seen positive impact with high engagement and retention.

Aeropay, a leading financial technology company specialising in pay by bank, has announced its membership in the Coalition for Fantasy Sports (CFS), marking the first time a vendor has joined the organisation. This strategic partnership underscores the Coalition’s expanding influence and reinforces its position as the foremost authority on daily fantasy sports. The Coalition for Fantasy Sports, comprising industry leaders such as PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy, Betr, Dabble and the recently added Splash Sports, continues to advocate for innovation, responsible play and consumer protection within the fantasy sports industry. By welcoming Aeropay, CFS broadens its scope to include key service providers, enhancing its ability to address the multifaceted needs of the industry.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 17-23 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Bruce Smith Enterprise

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on New Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia

Published

3 days ago

March 24, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

bruce-smith-enterprise-and-the-cordish-companies-break-ground-on-new-live!-casino-&-hotel-in-petersburg,-virginia

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL VIRGINIA in Petersburg. The milestone officially commences construction on a transformative project that will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs, and set a new standard for gaming, hotels, and entertainment in the Commonwealth. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is part of a larger $1.4 billion master plan by the partnership, scheduled to be developed in phases, that will bring a world-class mixed-use resort destination to Petersburg.

Executives from Bruce Smith Enterprise, The Cordish Companies, and Cordish Gaming were joined by Petersburg City Mayor Sam Parham and members of Petersburg City Council, Virginia State Senator Lashrecse Aird, Virginia State Delegate Kim Taylor, and many other business and community leaders at the project site in Petersburg. The development site, ideally located on Brasfield Parkway at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 just 20 miles south of Richmond, will provide easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.

“It has been a source of immense satisfaction and pride to partner in this incredible development. For far too long people have simply driven by the City of Petersburg, but today marks the beginning of a new era in which Petersburg will become a prime destination. This pivotal project will ignite tourism, create jobs, and ultimately deliver on the promise of greater opportunity and upward mobility for local families. As a champion of Petersburg and its residents, I am happily confident that this historic development will uplift, empower, and enrich this community for years to come,” said Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise.

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is slated to open in 2027. A temporary gaming facility will open by the end of 2025 to immediately begin creating an estimated 500 new jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the City. In its first 10 years, the project is expected to generate $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region; $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City of Petersburg; $802 million in economic benefits during construction; $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening; and 7500 new jobs including 6100 during construction and 1400 new permanent jobs.

“Today marks a monumental day for The Cordish Companies as we expand our Live! brand into the Central Virginia region with the development of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. Our company is a national leader in successfully developing and managing large-scale urban revitalization projects across the country. Live! Casino & Hotel will be a transformative development that will bring a world-class gaming and entertainment experience to millions of visitors, create significant new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community that will provide a beneficial impact for generations. We look forward to making an immediate impact on the region with the construction of a temporary gaming facility that will be operational before the end of 2025, so that we can begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the City,” said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer for The Cordish Companies.

The post Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on New Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 10-16

Published

1 week ago

March 18, 2025

Niji Narayan

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-march-10-16

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Latest News

Fennica Gaming has announced that it has been granted a gaming supplier license in Ontario, Canada. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy, allowing it to offer its cutting-edge gaming experiences to gaming operators in one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets. The supplier license, granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), enables Fennica Gaming to introduce its portfolio of entertaining and high-quality games to gaming operators across the province. This registration empowers Ontarian operators, whether online or land-based, to access the omnichannel offerings developed in the Nordics.

PrizePicks announced it has received Internet Compliance Assessment Programme (iCAP) accreditation from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). PrizePicks is the first and only fantasy sports operator to receive the recognition. iCAP certification is granted to operators that meet the NCPG’s high standards for responsible gaming and consumer protection practices. Developed by the NCPG, iCAP is the leading online responsible gaming assessment Programme in the US. The rigorous certification process involves an independent, comprehensive review of an operator’s responsible gaming policies and practices, spanning Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, staff training programmes, work culture, consumer protection measures, RG tool offerings, customer service standards and regulatory compliance.

The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law supports Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as they reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act, which addresses the risks associated with legalised gambling. As of 2025, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalised sports betting, but the necessary safeguards are not in place to address the public health risks that legalising sports betting creates. The SAFE Bet Act, first introduced in September 2024, addresses those public health concerns. The SAFE Bet Act establishes federal standards while preserving the opportunity for anyone who wishes to participate in legal sports betting. These standards will address advertising, affordability and artificial intelligence issues.

Partnerships

The NCAA and EPIC Global Solutions announced an extension of their gambling harm education programme collaboration. This extended collaboration reinforces the NCAA’s long-standing commitment to protecting student-athlete well-being and the integrity of college athletics. Educating student-athletes on the dangers of sports betting continues to be a key priority for the Association. EPIC’s sessions have been a crucial piece of this education since January 2022. The NCAA and EPIC Global Solutions have partnered to educate over 80,000 student-athletes through in-person, experiential sessions at more than 270 campuses nationwide across all three divisions, making it the largest programme of its kind globally.

SCCG Management has announced a strategic partnership with Boosted Bets. This collaboration will focus on business development, capital-raising support, and global distribution, connecting Boosted Bets with strategic partners across SCCG’s ecosystem, including sportsbook platforms, operators, data providers, CRM and gamification partners. Boosted Bets introduces a new way for sports bettors to prove their skills through a contest-based wagering model. Players enter a paid challenge, receiving a simulated betting account with a larger bankroll—giving them the ability to place bets as if they were high-stakes bettors.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 10-16 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.