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PlayColorado.com: Sportsbooks suffer first month-over-month decline in wagering

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Colorado’s sports betting industry suffered its first month-over-month decline in wagering to put the state in line with a nationwide trend of falling handles, a product of February’s 28 days and the conclusion of the NFL season, according to PlayColorado, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.

“February is a reminder that with the seasonality of sports betting, growth is never assured even in a market like Colorado” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayColorado. “In nearly every legal betting market, a pullback from January was expected mainly because there is nowhere near the NFL inventory of games to bet on, even with the Super Bowl. Colorado is a unique market in many ways, but ultimately it is still subject to the same sports betting dynamics as any other state.”

Colorado’s online and retail sportsbooks combined to take in $266.5 million in bets in February, according to data released Monday by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Gaming. Overall handle was down 18.5% from $326.9 million in bets in January, and the lowest monthly handle since November’s $231.2 million. Bettors placed about $9.5 million bets per day in February, down from $10.5 million in January.

Sportsbooks generated $10.4 million in gross gaming revenue, down from the record $23.1 million in January, and yielding just $175,275 in net sports betting proceeds, down from $11.7 million in January. That produced just $332,227 in state taxes.

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February marks the first time since Colorado launched sports betting in May that sportsbooks failed to set a new monthly handle record for the state. Retail in particular had a rough month, generating just $7.5 million in bets. 96.9% of all bets, or $258.2 million, were made online.

Colorado is the seventh-largest market in the U.S., falling just short of Indiana’s $273.9 million. Michigan, in its first full month of sports betting, topped both states with more than $325 million in online and retail betting.

“The month-over-month growth streak was bound to be snapped, but the underlying fundamentals of the market remain strong,” said Ian St. Clair, analyst for PlayColorado. “Retail sportsbooks continue to struggle amid the pandemic, but hopefully they will rebound as we move closer to normal.”

For the second-straight month, pro basketball betting eclipsed football with $95 million in wagers, by far the most-popular bet even with the Super Bowl being played in early February. With just one game to bet on, even if it was the Super Bowl, football betting fell to $39.6 million. And table tennis ($13 million) once again drew more action than more mainstream sports like ice hockey ($9.5 million).

College basketball took in $24.2 million, which wasn’t surprising. But sportsbooks lost $3.7 million on those bets.

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“Colorado’s market continues to evolve in unforeseen ways, and it goes beyond the continued popularity of table tennis,” St. Clair said. “For February, Colorado bettors did extremely well on betting on college basketball, winning almost $4 million on the sport. That is unusual for what is typically the calm before March’s college basketball storm ”

For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Colorado, visit PlayColorado.com/revenue.

About the PlayUSA.com Network:

The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayColorado.com, PlayIndiana.com, and PlayNJ.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.

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Ben Clemes

High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario

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High Roller Technologies, operator of the premium online casino brands High Roller and Fruta, announced the submission of its Internet Gaming Operator license application in Ontario, Canada, targeting the launch of its flagship brand HighRoller.com in the second half of 2025.

“The submission of our licensing application to access Ontario’s regulated online gambling market is an important milestone in our Company’s journey. Once our application is approved, we anticipate that we will have the opportunity to launch our online casino product into the market later this year,” said Ben Clemes, Chief Executive Officer at High Roller.

Ontario is one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the world as measured by gross gaming revenue. In 2024, regulated online gambling operators within the province generated approximately $2.3B in gross gaming revenue, and growth continues to be recorded in the first half of 2025. Recently, the province of Alberta passed enabling legislation to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. Once available, the Company also intends to pursue licensure in Alberta to expand its regulated market footprint in Canada.

“Ontario is missing an elegant brand like High Roller. We’re excited to roll out the red carpet for our new customers, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our tremendous product,” said Clemes.

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The post High Roller Submits Gaming License Application in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Canada

IAGR announces program for IAGR2025 conference in Toronto

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The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has released the program for its upcoming annual conference, to be held in Toronto from 20-23 October.

With the theme ‘Resilient regulation: Exploring what works, why and what’s next’, the event brings together global regulators and thought leaders to examine how regulatory frameworks can evolve to meet today’s challenges.

The four-day program explores timely issues, including the rise of AI and behavioural analytics, the impact of converging technologies, cross-border collaboration and the continued push to strengthen responsible gambling policies.

IAGR President Ben Haden said the program offers a strong preview of the content and conversations delegates can expect in Toronto.

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‘This year’s program showcases the breadth and complexity of the challenges facing gambling regulators worldwide, from protecting player wellbeing to tackling illegal markets and understanding new technologies,’ Haden said.

‘I encourage regulators, researchers and policy professionals from around the world to join us in Toronto. The conference is a space to learn, share experience, challenge assumptions and shape the future of effective, collaborative regulation.’

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

  • Andrew Rhodes, CEO, Gambling Commission, Great Britain
  • Anders Dorph, Director, Danish Gambling Authority, Denmark
  • Dr Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Canada
  • Mark Vander Linden, Director of Research and Responsible Gaming and Carrie Torrisi, Chief of Sports Wagering Division, Massachusetts Gaming Commission, United States
  • Bashir Are, CEO, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Nigeria
  • Teo Chun Ching, Chief Executive, Gambling Regulatory Authority, Singapore
  • Ladipo Abiose Akolade, Founder, GamblePause Initiative Africa, Nigeria
  • Rasmus Kjaergaard, CEO, Mindway AI, Denmark
  • Tracy Parker, Senior Vice President, Accreditation, Advisory and Insights, Responsible Gambling Council, Canada
  • Pedro Romero, Chief of Safer Gambling Partnerships, BetBlocker, Gibraltar
  • Sonia Wasowska, Head of Supervision, General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, United Arab Emirates
  • Steven Blackburn, Partner, Ashurst Risk Advisory, Australia

The event will be held at The Westin Harbour Castle on Toronto’s waterfront.

The post IAGR announces program for IAGR2025 conference in Toronto appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Alberta Gaming

Edmonton Elks, Play Alberta Connect on New Partnership

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Home field advantage has a new name, as the Edmonton Elks announced that Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is now the home of the Elks.

The field naming rights are part of a broader multi-year agreement between Play Alberta and the EE, making Play Alberta the official sports betting partner of the Club.

“We couldn’t be more excited to expand our partnership with Play Alberta. This partnership is about more than just putting a name on the field – it’s about building something meaningful for our fans and our community. Play Alberta is an Alberta-based organization that shares our values and our commitment to giving back. Together, we’re creating new ways for fans to connect with our team and experience the game day atmosphere in a whole new way,” said Elks President and CEO Chris Morris.

The expanded relationship between the Elks and Play Alberta will allow the game day experience to continue to grow. Fans can look forward to unique activations and promotions around the stadium, including the chance to win game tickets and memorabilia.

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“Since Play Alberta’s launch five years ago, our team has made it a priority to connect with the communities where our players live and work. We are very excited to join the Edmonton Elks on the field on game days during upcoming CFL seasons. Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium allows us to partner with the Elks and showcase two brands built for Albertans in a historic Edmonton location,” said Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Chief Executive Officer Kandice Machado.

The Elks open their 76th season on Saturday, June 7 in Vancouver when they take on the B.C. Lions. Edmonton’s home opener at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium is slated for Thursday, June 19 against the Montreal Alouettes.

The post Edmonton Elks, Play Alberta Connect on New Partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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