Press Releases
Pennsylvania Sportsbooks Join Elite Club with $462.8 Million in September, According to PlayPennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks took advantage of a perfect storm of major U.S. sports in September to easily generate a record $462.8 million in bets. By doing so, Pennsylvania entered an exclusive club of gaming markets, joining New Jersey and Nevada, that have surpassed $450 million in wagers in a single month, according to PlayPennsylvania.
“With the beginning of the NFL season, a full schedule of baseball, and the NBA and NHL playoffs, there may never be such a confluence of sporting events again,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Like New Jersey, Pennsylvania has created a well-rounded market that can drive significant action on every major sport. That market dynamic was able to bear fruit in September in a way that may never be fully possible again.”
September’s handle, which was released Friday, was up 137.9% from $194.5 million in September 2019 and easily surpassed the previous record of $365 million set just last month. But the record wagers produced just $6.3 million in taxable revenue, down from $18.3 million in August and $14.9 million in September 2019, a result of heavy promotion and some unlucky results for sportsbooks. September revenue yielded $2.1 million in state taxes and another $125,398 in local share assessments.
“The question now becomes whether Pennsylvania can sustain this level once the sports calendar returns to normal,” said Valerie Cross, analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Pennsylvania has etched a place in the top tier of gaming markets and could possibly pass Nevada as the nation’s No. 2 market before the end of the year.”
Online wagering accounted for 89.5%, or $414.1 million, of September’s handle. FanDuel Sportsbook/Valley Forge Casino extended its online supremacy with $168 million in online bets, up 16.2% from $144.6 million wagered in August. Those bets produced $2.4 million in taxable revenue. Also, Penn National’s Barstool Sports-branded sportsbook on Hollywood Casino’s license generated $29.9 million in bets, losing $2.8 million on those bets, in just two weeks of operation.
“Barstool adds a brand name with a uniquely loyal following, and its launch comes with high hopes,” Gouker said. “On the surface it seems like it has the potential to eat into the dominant market shares of FanDuel and DraftKings. But that is no easy task considering how entrenched both have become in the Pennsylvania market.”
In-person betting reached $48.7 million in September bets, winning $5.1 million on those bets. Rivers-Philadelphia claimed the top retail spot with $11.4 million in bets and gross revenue of $1.2 million.
Online gambling
Online casino games and poker continued their hot streak in September, combining to produce a record $57 million in gross operator revenue, or $1.9 million per day over the 30 days of September. That is up from August, when online gambling generated $55.9 million, or $1.8 million per day for the 31 days of August.
September’s revenue yielded $16 million in state taxes and another $3.8 million in local share assessments.
“Pennsylvania’s online casinos generate nearly five times as much in bets as sports betting, and revenue doesn’t fluctuate nearly as much,” Cross said. “That has quickly made online gambling a dependable and significant tax revenue driver for the state, accomplishing the main goal of regulation.”
Rivers-Philadelphia’s brands topped online casinos with $16.1 million in revenue on $578.8 million in wagers.
SOURCE PlayPennsylvania.com
Latin America
Salsa Technology Hails Hugely Successful BIS SiGMA Americas
Salsa Technology has hailed a hugely successful BIS SiGMA Americas where it presented its Latin America-ready solutions. Sao Pauloâs Transamerica Expo provided the backdrop for the Brazilian iGaming community to come together to discuss all the major trends and developments in the region.
From Salsa Technologyâs biggest stand yet at the event, the team was on hand for the duration to share info about the cutting-edge technology and highly-flexible solutions created specifically to meet the needs of local markets. The GLI-certified PAM, Salsa Omni, was a hot topic for those seriously exploring the regulated Brazilian market. It provides a comprehensive solution that includes secure migrations for peace of mind. Salsa Technologyâs recent collaboration and seamless launch with NossaBet sparked many new conversations around partnerships.
âSeeing the sheer number of people visiting our stand and enquiring about our Latin America-ready solutions filled me with pride,â the founder of Salsa Technology, Peter Nolte, said. âThere is huge momentum in the region following the regulatory advancements and weâre perfectly positioned to support those wanting to succeed here.â
Many productive exchanges were focused on Salsa Gator given its unrivalled ability to provide casino gaming in the regulated Brazilian market, complying with the specific requirements laid out by state regulators.
During the two days in Sao Paulo, Salsa Technologyâs signature Senhor do Bomfim wish ribbons were in high demand, while the artisanal cachaca kept the conversations flowing.
âThis yearâs BIS SiGMA Americas event was the best yet for the business as the focus has never been sharper on what our solutions can deliver within the region,â the Chief Operating Officer for Salsa Technology, Andre Filipe Neves, said. âAttendees arrived with clear intentions and demands to discuss how best to expand into these regulated markets. Our preparation set the stage for significant success.â
Compliance Updates
North Carolina Lawmaker to Introduce Bill to End College Player Prop Bets
North Carolina legislator intends to introduce legislation to ban college player prop bets, according to a staff member.
North Carolina State Representative Marcia Morey, D-Durham, a former Olympic swimmer, will submit a bill by the bill filing deadline on Thursday to ban these bets, Hannah Smith, Administrative Assistant, told Gambling.com on Monday.
The North Carolina Legislature began meeting in Raleigh on April 24 with the session set to end on July 31.
Recently, NCAA President Charlie Baker, a former Massachusetts governor, called upon states to ban college player prop bets, which is short for proposition bets. Baker said these bets, based on an athleteâs individual performance such as the over/under on the number of rebounds the player might record, could undermine the integrity of games and lead to harassment of players.
Former North Carolina Tar Heel star Armando Bacot is among athletes who have expressed concern about harassment. Bacot said he heard from fans angry that he didnât get enough rebounds in an NCAA tournament game against Michigan State – a game the Tar Heels won.
College Prop Bets Allowed in Some States
Some states already ban these bets, while others including Louisiana, intend to impose a ban this summer before the college and pro football seasons begin.
In other states, the proposed ban has met with resistance.
During a recent interview on The Edge, Arkansas casino executive Carlton Saffa told Gambling.com a ban would drive bettors to unregulated offshore sportsbooks or illegal bookies. He said a better solution is to keep those bets legal in regulated markets where irregularities can be spotted.
âSunshine is the best disinfectant,â Saffa, the Chief Marketing Officer for the Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, said.
College player prop bets remain legal in Arkansas.
In North Carolina, where statewide mobile sports betting became legal in March, State Representative Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, said in a story on the WNCN-TV website that a college player prop ban is âa solution in search of a problemâ. If athletes are being harassed, he said, campus police should crack down on those making the threats and make an example of them. A ban wonât stop the problem, Saine said.
âIf we ended (player prop bets) tomorrow, this kind of behavior would still continue with fanatical people,â Saine said. âFollow rules of society, you donât threaten anybody, or you shouldnât be. And, thatâs kind of my take on it. I donât think we need a whole new set of rules to pursue something like that.â
Morey, the lawmaker proposing the ban, said people are âforgetting about the individuals who are actually playing the game and having the pressure on themâ.
âLetâs give them a break,â she said.
Latin America
Sportingtech Places New Local Talent Front and Center at BiS SiGMA Americas
Award-winning provider highlights vast Latin American expertise at show
Full-service betting and gaming platform provider Sportingtech has introduced some of its newly-appointed Latin American team at this yearâs BiS SiGMA Americas, showcasing how its local know-how and intuitive products can elevate any operatorâs position in the region.
On-hand for the duration of the event in Sao Paulo was Marina Selmi, Latin America Regional Sales Manager, who outlined the full power of the supplierâs solution. Sportingtechâs expertise in the Latin American market was on display to more than 10,000 delegates, with the company boasting a comprehensive understanding of customer preferences across the region.
Laura Manzella, Senior Account Manager, was also present to provide insight on the current landscape. Manzella was able to inform partners of the latest regulatory updates and detailed the providerâs most recent technological developments to highlight its robust products.
Sportingtech has made great strides in developing its Latin America-facing team in recent months, with boots-on-the-ground personnel keeping abreast of the changing legislative scene to ensure compliance.
The supplier places a huge emphasis on its people and takes pride in fostering a collaborative and supportive culture. To coincide with this, there have been several key hires in senior positions across the company to help accelerate growth, following Chief Executive Officer Tom Ustunelâs appointment in December of 2023.
This yearâs event saw Sportingtech pick up another high-profile industry accolade as Ustunel (pictured) won the coveted Chief Executive Officer of the Year award. The win recognized the leadership and commitment he has brought to Sportingtech as the brand is primed for more growth across the globe in 2024.
âBiS SiGMA Americas is certainly one of the most important events in the calendar and we had a tremendous experience at this yearâs show,â Ustunel said. âIt was important for us to showcase our local team members who have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the region and how we can positively impact the offerings of current and prospective partners. With regulations in Brazil almost finalized and other markets showing unique appeal and growth potential, we are well-placed to exceed operatorsâ expectations across Latin America.â
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