Latest News
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami effect make 2023 most popular MLS season on record

Number of bets on MLS increase 33% compared to 2022; Lionel Messi increases global appeal of MLS to drive betting growth
The arrival of global soccer superstar Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer (MLS) has had an unprecedented impact on the US soccer league’s popularity and betting engagement around the world, according to new data from leading sportsbook provider Kambi, with 2023 becoming the most bet on MLS season ever.
Ahead of the 2023 MLS Cup this weekend, network data from Kambi’s global partner network reveals that the 2023 MLS season witnessed a 33% increase in bets compared to 2022, fuelled by Messi’s mid-season arrival in July at Inter Miami CF which became the most bet on MLS team of the year.
The surge in popularity of Inter Miami, which is co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, saw them jump from the 15th most bet on team in 2022 to the most popular this season, one place above Los Angeles FC which play Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup on Saturday. The number of bets on Inter Miami were 44% higher than those of Los Angeles FC, while Inter Miami were involved in eight of the top 10 games this season.
The arrival of international soccer superstars such as Messi, winner of a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and recently named Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2023, has also given the MLS a global platform, particularly in Latin America where Kambi has seen strong betting growth in markets including Messi’s home country of Argentina which saw bets increase 135% compared to 2022.
Jonathon Hurst, Kambi’s Head of Soccer, said: “The arrival of Lionel Messi to the MLS has been a landmark moment for the league and it’s looking even more likely he will soon be joined at Inter Miami by former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. Messi’s global appeal and star power have captured the attention of fans worldwide, and this has translated into a significant increase in betting engagement on MLS matches.”
Messi is already the most bet on player in the MLS of the last four years, quickly catching up with Zlatan Ibrahimović and Carlos Vela as the most bet on player in the MLS of all time. The number of bets on Messi in 2023 are 140% higher than that of Los Angeles FC winger Denis Bouanga who is in second place.
For additional MLS 2023 season insights, visit Kambi’s News & Insights page
Canada
NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform

NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
Compliance Updates
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Selects New Board Chair

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) has announced Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, as its new Board Chair for SIGA’s Board of Directors.
SIGA is a non-profit First Nation gaming operator for seven land-based casinos and the online gaming platform PlayNow.com in Saskatchewan.
Chief Cook-Searson first joined SIGA’s Board of Directors in 2018 and has been a regular SIGA Board member as well as a member of SIGA’s Audit & Finance Committee.
She is serving in her 20th year as Chief of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a graduate diploma in management from Athabasca University. She also holds honorary degrees from the University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Chief Cook-Searson replaces outgoing Board Chair former Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation Reginald Bellerose, who has held the Board Chair position since February 4, 2015.
Latest News
SCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Applift

SCCG Management has announced a strategic partnership with Applift, the world’s top performance App Store Optimization (ASO) agency. This partnership will introduce Applift’s proprietary ASO technology and advanced growth strategies to gaming companies worldwide, leveraging SCCG’s unmatched distribution capabilities and expansive gaming ecosystem of 120+ client partners.
Applift has earned a reputation as the gold standard in app growth by delivering data-driven ASO strategies powered by proprietary AI tools and the most comprehensive keyword intelligence system in the industry. Their work drives top keyword rankings, scalable user acquisition, and real business impact – increasing FTDs, improving retention, and maximizing LTV for some of the world’s most successful gaming, finance, utility, and AI apps.
Through this partnership, SCCG will activate its global network — with offices in every major gaming market across North America, LATAM, Europe, Africa, and Asia — to bring Applift’s breakthrough ASO technology to gambling companies seeking to scale user acquisition, boost visibility, and outperform the competition in app stores.
“At SCCG, we identify and scale the technologies that shape the future of gambling,” said Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management.
“Applift’s ASO platform is a game-changer. Our partnership gives gaming companies a proven solution to turn mobile visibility into performance at scale — and our global presence ensures the right operators and platforms benefit from this innovation.”
“At Applift, we’ve helped top gaming apps dominate the app stores, turning visibility into performance and installs into high-value users — all through our unmatched ASO technology and data-driven approach. Partnering with SCCG is a natural step forward. Their strategic footprint in the gaming world perfectly complements our ability to scale app growth at the highest level. Together, we’re not just optimizing – we’re redefining how gaming brands win in the app stores. I couldn’t be more confident in what we’ll achieve,” said Bar Nakash, CEO of Applift.
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