BetMGM
PlayIA.com: Sports betting volume falls to less than $90 million
Iowa’s sportsbooks extended a streak of month-over-month declines in betting volume, taking in less than $89 million in bets in July in what was the 24th month of sports betting in the state. July’s betting volume decrease is historically the single slowest month for sports wagering in the U.S., and even the Olympics and NBA Finals couldn’t reverse the trend in Iowa, according to PlayIA, a leading source for news and analysis of the Iowa gaming market.
“The Olympics and the later-than-usual NBA Finals gave bettors more opportunities to place a bet than what would be a typical July, but neither were able to move the needle much,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayIA.com. “Bettors simply check out in July, when summer vacations and other pursuits take precedence. But a surge in betting will certainly come with the beginning of the football season.”
Iowa’s online and retail sportsbooks took in $88.9 million in July, down 20% from $111.2 million in June to extend a streak of month-over-month declines to four, according to official data released Friday. July marked the lowest handle in the state since November 2020, as bettors placed $2.9 million per day over the 31 days of July, well short of the $3.7 million per day in June.
The betting volume results followed a historical trend. The pandemic skewed 2020 data, but the lowest volume month across the U.S. in both 2018 and 2019 was in July. The boost in volume pushed net operator revenue to $7.1 million in June, down 15.7% from $8.4 million in June. That resulted in $479,479 in tax revenue for the state.
Baseball and basketball held most of Iowa’s betting water in July. Iowa put in place a cautious framework for Olympics betting, which barred wagering on individual events that feature athletes under the age of 18. That took some of the betting inventory off the board.
“Mainstream sports such as basketball and golf, along with a handful of high-profile events, have drawn the most Olympics interest,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for PlayUSA.com and PlayIA.com. “But there was no wave of action from the Olympics. Bettors aren’t as comfortable wagering on Olympic events. And partly it’s because betting on many high-profile events in swimming and gymnastics, which took center stage in the early part of the Olympics, were barred because minors were competing.”
Sports betting launched in Iowa on Aug. 15, 2019, which made July 2021 the 24th month of operation. It has been a winding road with the pandemic that hobbled the industry in 2020 and the removal of in-person registration requirements that has rocketed the market forward in 2021.
In 24 months, Iowa sportsbooks have generated:
- $1.7 billion in wagering
- $122.8 million in gross gaming revenue
- $8.3 million in tax revenue
“Iowa has experienced so many twists and turns over the last two years, but the state’s sportsbooks find themselves in a good place,” Welman said. “Sportsbooks will hit more than $1 billion in wagering by September at the latest, nearly doubling the handle for all of 2020 before football kicks off. That is staggering growth.”
In July, $77.9 million in bets were made online, representing 87.6% of the state’s handle. Retail betting accounted for the remaining $11.0 million.
Caesars Sportsbook, which was rebranded from William Hill, generated 35% of Iowa’s handle in July with $31.1 million in total wagers. That is down from $36.65 million in June. $28.7 million of July’s wagers were made online. In all, July’s wagering yielded $1.0 million in net receipts.
Wild Rose, which includes DraftKings and BetRivers, took in $25.2 million in online and retail wagering, down from $31.5 in June. July’s handle included $25.0 million in online wagering. The wagering was enough to produce $2.6 million in revenue, topping the market.
Diamond Jo, fueled by FanDuel and BetMGM, was third in the state with $21.4 million in combined wagers, down from $26.6 million in June. $18.4 million of July’s wagering came online. That was enough to net a market-leading $2.4 million in revenue.
Bally Bet, the state’s newest operator, collected $1.1 million in wagers and $111,157 in revenue in its first full month of operation.
BetMGM
Octoplay Launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, Accelerating North American Expansion
Octoplay continues its expansion in North America by launching Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, building on the company’s continental growth strategy following its Michigan provisional license approval.
This strategic launch builds on the growing momentum with BetMGM, marking a significant milestone in Octoplay’s North American expansion, introducing the bespoke opt-in jackpot solution built in collaboration with BetMGM. The decision to expand the partnership with BetMGM demonstrates the strong relationship between the companies and sets a strong foundation for Octoplay’s continued growth across North America.
The Ontario launch builds on Octoplay’s rapid market entries over recent months, including Microgame’s network of 50 operators in Italy, Slovakia’s leading operator Niké, and Sweden’s state-owned Svenska Spel Sport&Casino. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Italy, and Belgium, Octoplay continues its accelerated expansion across both European and North American markets.
Jackpot Blitz has achieved a remarkable 88% player opt-in rate since launch. This performance, combined with BetMGM’s extensive player base, sets a strong foundation for Octoplay’s North American growth as the company prepares for launches in Michigan and additional US states in 2025.
“The launch of Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario accelerates our North American expansion plans,” says Carl Ejlertsson, CEO at Octoplay. “Our strong partnership with BetMGM has enabled us to bring this innovative product to their Ontario players. With our proven track record of collaboration with top tier gaming operators like BetMGM, we’re ideally positioned to drive significant growth together in regulated markets across North America.”
Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, said: “Ontario is a key iGaming market for BetMGM, and adding Jackpot Blitz strengthens our vast collection of games. Octoplay is part of our strategy to collaborate with top-tier partners to bring the best content to our players.”
As Octoplay prepares for its Michigan launch in 2025, followed by entries into additional US states, this expansion with BetMGM represents another milestone in the company’s accelerated growth. The partnership reinforces Octoplay’s momentum as the company continues its rapid advancement in North America.
The post Octoplay Launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, Accelerating North American Expansion appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Strong start to 2025 affirms strategic approach and confidence of positive EBITDA in 2025
BetMGM LLC , one of the leading sports betting and iGaming operators across North America, jointly owned by Entain plc and MGM Resorts International, is providing an update on its 1Q 2025 performance.
Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of BetMGM, commented:
“2025 is off to an encouraging start for BetMGM as we execute our revised strategic plan. The momentum we built in the second half of 2024 continued into the first quarter as we implement our powerful iGaming strategy, enabling us to grow faster than the market and at scale. In Online Sports, we are elevating our brand and delivering improved performance, even in the face of unfavorable sports outcomes during key moments in the quarter. As we approach May, we remain confident in achieving full year positive EBITDA in 2025, supported by solid underlying activity trends and our successful delivery of positive EBITDA in the first quarter.”
1Q 2025 Key Financial Highlights
1Q 2025 BetMGM Financial Summary1,2,3
Three months ended
March 31
$ millions, unless otherwise noted
2025
2024
YoY Change
Net Revenue
iGaming
$443
$348
+27%
Online Sports
$194
$116
+68%
Handle
$4,088
$3,174
+29%
GGR Hold %
8.2%
8.7%
(50)bps
NGR Hold %
4.8%
3.6%
+110bps
Retail / Other
$20
$26
(22)%
Total Net Revenue
$657
$489
+34%
Contribution
$116
($38)
+$153
EBITDA
$22
($132)
+$154
Average Monthly Actives (thousands)4
1,067
1,009
+6%
Financial Highlights
Operational highlights
Outlook
The post BetMGM 1Q 2025 Business Update appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, announced the BetMGM Poker Championship returns to ARIA in Las Vegas Monday, June 30 to Friday, July 4, highlighting the ARIA Poker Classic Summer Series. The no-limit hold ‘em tournament has a $3,500 buy-in and offers participants a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. For the fourth consecutive year, the BetMGM Poker Championship will begin in ARIA’s Poker Room and conclude with a live-streamed Final Table at the PokerGO Studio. The ARIA Poker Classic runs May 29 through July 13 with the full schedule available at ARIA Poker on X.
“BetMGM’s relationship with MGM Resorts is our differentiator and the BetMGM Poker Championship presents a unique opportunity to connect our online players with one of the premier properties and events that Las Vegas has to offer. We are preparing to use our brand ambassadors – Darren Elias and Abby Merk – as well as our media partners, to engage with the poker community in new ways throughout the summer,” said Angus Nisbet, VP of Gaming at BetMGM.
Online qualifiers for the BetMGM Poker Championship run at 9:15 p.m. EST every Thursday and Sunday through Sunday, June 22. More than 100 players from BetMGM Poker markets including New Jersey, Michan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario (Canada) will win BetMGM Poker Championship packages that include a $3,500 Championship entry, a five-night stay at ARIA, travel credit, and a BetMGM swag bag. A full online qualifier schedule is available at BetMGMPoker.com.
Ryan Kirk, ARIA’s Director of Poker Operations, said: “ARIA has long been recognized as the epicenter of poker in Las Vegas and we’re proud, once again, to host the BetMGM Poker Championship during our ARIA Poker Classic. This event continues to raise the bar, bringing together the prestige of our world-class poker room with BetMGM’s innovative online platform. We look forward to welcoming players from across North America to experience the energy, excitement and hospitality that ARIA delivers.”
The post BetMGM Poker Championship Returns to ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas June 30 – July 4 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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