Gambling in the USA

With $35 million September, Indiana sportsbooks off to impressive start

Published

5 years ago

October 11, 2019

Indiana’s retail sportsbooks enjoyed an impressive first month that has the state competitive with more established legal sports betting markets, according to PlayIndiana.com analysts.

Fueled by retail sportsbooks most closely to the situated Chicago market, Indiana retail sportsbooks accepted $35.2 million in bets in September, producing $8.6 million in adjusted gross revenue for the sportsbooks, according to official reporting released Wednesday. With Indiana’s 9.5% tax, the state’s win (which does not include bets yet to be paid, such as a wager on the Colts to win the Super Bowl), injected $813,103 in tax revenue.

“Indiana’s sportsbooks are in their infancy, but their ability to capitalize on the Chicago market did not take long to produce dividends,” Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “This is the largest handle we’ve seen in a state’s first month of legal sports betting, and it happened without the benefit of online sports betting, which didn’t launch until October. That is a testament to Indiana’s existing infrastructure.”

Indiana’s $35.2 million handle was more than the $25.8 million Pennsylvania’s retail sportsbooks generated in August, but less than the $44.4 million bet in-person in New Jersey. Of course, more than half of all September bets in Indiana were on football, and neither Pennsylvania nor New Jersey had the benefit of the NFL in August. Both will likely significantly outpace Indiana in September.

Still, Indiana’s launch of online betting in October signals rapid growth in the coming months. Nearly 80% of all bets in New Jersey are made online, and Indiana will eventually take the majority of its bets online, too.

“Indiana showed in its first month a familiar pattern where football betting is far and away the main driver in the industry,” said Kim Yuhl, analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “The ability to make online and mobile bets, though, should send the state’s handle into a new stratosphere. Indiana is clearly on a trajectory to become one of the country’s largest legal sports betting markets.

One of the chief reasons Indiana has so much potential is its proximity to Chicago, in addition to large markets in Ohio and Kentucky. The first full month of betting provided plenty of evidence.

Horseshoe Hammond, near Chicago, generated an Indiana-best handle of $8.98 million, yielding $2.1 million in revenue. Ameristar Casino in East Chicago was second with a $5.4 million handle, producing a $1.3 million win. Ameristar edged Hollywood Lawrenceburg, near Cincinnati, which accepted $5.2 million in bets and won $1.2 million. They were followed by:

Harrah’s Hoosier Park ($4.3 million handle, $1.31 win)
Blue Chip Casino ($3.8 million handle, $957,470 win)
Indiana Grand ($3.6 million handle, $764,908 win)
Tropicana Evansville ($1.1 million handle, $301,231 win)
Caesars Southern Indiana ($1.1 million handle, $293,348 win)
Belterra Casino ($709,219 handle, $133,352 win)
French Lick Resort ($939,222 handle, $217,523 win)

“The sportsbooks closest to the Chicago market have an obvious advantage in the retail sports betting market,” Yuhl said. “Even as online sports betting evens the landscape a bit, we expect that the Chicago-area sportsbooks will continue to receive the largest share of in-person bettors.”

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 PlayIndiana.com, PlayNJ.com and PlayPennsylvania.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.

Gambling in the USA

Games Global Launches Custom Slot Game Caesars Palace Frenzy with Caesars Digital

Published

7 days ago

April 22, 2024

Alan Campbell

Launch marks the first bespoke game launch in the partnership between gaming operator and premier gaming provider

Games Global today announced the exclusive launch of Caesars Palace Frenzy, a Caesars-branded slot title that marks the first bespoke game launch on behalf of Games Global’s partnership with premier gaming operator Caesars Digital. Caesars Palace Frenzy is now exclusively live on Caesars Palace Online Casino in New Jersey with plans to expand to Michigan and Pennsylvania, offering players another highly engaging, operator-specific gaming experience with iconic Caesars Palace branding.

Caesars Palace Frenzy combines the excitement of the Las Vegas Strip’s iconic casino with innovative gaming dynamics crafted by Games Global. Designed exclusively for Caesars Digital online casino players, this game delivers an online slot experience with engaging gameplay, sophisticated graphics and dynamic features like scatter pays, multiplied free spins selected by a concentric wheel and a seven-tier jackpot line-up.

This launch demonstrates Games Global’s continued emphasis on partnering with top iGaming operators to deliver exclusive and custom gaming products to players.

“Working closely with Caesars Digital to create Caesars Palace Frenzy has been an exciting journey,” the Chief Executive Officer for Games Global, Walter Bugno, said. “This game is more than just an online slot experience, it is an adventure that mirrors the thrill and grandeur of one of the world’s most iconic destinations. We’re thrilled to see it come to life and deliver a unique blend of entertainment and gaming.”

“We’re committed to collaborating with top gaming providers to launch custom online casino experiences for our players that can’t be found anywhere else,” the Senior Vice-President and Chief iGaming Officer for Caesars Digital, Matt Sunderland, said. “Caesars Palace Frenzy delivers on that commitment by providing an elevated gaming experience that we’re certain our players will enjoy.”

Gambling in the USA

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Announces Plans to Build New Casino Resort

Published

7 days ago

April 22, 2024

Niji Narayan

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has announced the plans to build a brand-new casino resort on its Tribal lands in Polk County.

“We are incredibly excited to embark on this new chapter. This new casino resort will not only provide significant economic benefits for those living and working in the region, but it will also become a vibrant destination for visitors,” Ricky Sylestine, Chairman of the Tribal Council, said.

While specific details are still being finalized, the new resort may offer a variety of amenities including a state-of-the-art casino floor, hotel accommodations, and diverse dining and entertainment options.

The Tribe has engaged the architectural firm FFKR to design the new resort. FFKR is known for its innovative and creative designs. The Tribe is confident the firm will create a truly exceptional destination.

In addition to the new casino resort, the Tribe is planning an extensive remodel to its existing Ischoopa/One Stop Convenience Store and Truck Stop. The remodel will include adding electronic bingo machines.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas will be releasing news related to the new resort and any additional developments in the coming months.

Gambling in the USA

BetConstruct to Display Its Products and Services at Sigma Americas

Published

1 week ago

April 18, 2024

Peter Tolan

BetConstruct, a leading company in iGaming technology and services, is heading to Sigma Americas in Sao Paulo, Brazil from April 23-25, 2024.

Sigma Americas is a major event focusing on iGaming with 10,000 delegations and more than 200 professional speakers. This event serves as an exceptional platform for participants to present their innovative offerings, engage with fellow industry leaders, and establish new business relationships.

BetConstruct is poised to introduce its cutting-edge products and solutions to the growing Brazilian market at the upcoming event. As a premier provider of online iGaming solutions, the company will showcase its comprehensive range of services to all attendees, offering diverse solutions tailored to meet their specific needs and preferences.

Moreover, BetConstruct will demonstrate its newest Spettacolare offer by Mr. First, which is a fleeting opportunity to maximise user profits and explore the potential of FTN.

Attendees of the event can find BetConstruct in the Transamerica Expo Center at Stand O60, where they will have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of BetConstruct’s products and solutions.