Gambling in the USA
NEW JERSEY SPORTSBOOKS NEARLY HIT $500 MILLION MARK IN OCTOBER FanDuel fuels New Jersey’s sportsbooks to new benchmark; Golden Nugget online tops revenue of land-based counterpart, according to PlayNJ.com
New Jersey’s online and retail sportsbooks continued their string of record months and whopping year-over-year gains in October, nearly reaching its first $500 million month. And that growth should continue with the tip-off of basketball season, according to PlayNJ.com analysts.
“New Jersey has a real shot at surpassing Nevada again, if not in October, some time before the end of the NFL season,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayNJ.com. “The state’s handle is growing at a pace near 100%, year-over-year. And the overlapping of football and basketball should propel New Jersey into new territory.”
New Jersey’s sportsbooks accepted a record $487.9 million in bets in October, an 87% jump from $260.7 million in October 2018, according to official reporting released Thursday. October’s handle beat the previous record of $445.6 million, set in September.
October’s bets yielded a record $46.4 million in revenue, up from $11.7 million in October 2018 and breaking the record $37.9 million set last month. October revenue generated $5.7 million in taxes, and pushed the state’s sports betting industry past the $300 million mark ($331.2 million) in lifetime revenue.
New Jersey’s October handle will likely fall short of Nevada — which generated $528.5 million in October 2018 and will announce October 2019 data later this month — for the second straight month. Combined the two largest U.S. markets are generating $1 billion a month in bets. And the Garden State could use the popularity of basketball — which has generated $698.2 million in bets so far in 2019, the most of any sport — to propel it past Nevada once again.
“If New Jersey is going to pass Nevada during the NFL season, it will be in large part due to the comparative popularity of basketball in the Northeast,” Gouker said. “In Nevada, football betting is king, and it’s nearly as popular in New Jersey. But a key differentiator between the two markets is that New Jersey bettors’ have shown more interest in other major sports, especially basketball.”
$417 million of all October bets were made online, accounting for 85% of New Jersey’s handle. That is up from 84% in September.
FanDuel Sportsbook/PointsBet continued to pace the online market, gaining $20.7 million in gross revenue, up from $13.3 million in September. Resorts Digital’s license, which is now anchored by DraftKings and Fox Bet in addition to its self-branded sportsbook, lost ground by generating $10.6 million, down from $10.7 million in September. The online market leaders were followed by:
- Hard Rock/Bet365/Unibet ($1.8 million, up from $178,255 in September)
- Monmouth/William Hill/Sugarhouse/TheScore ($1.7 million, down from $2.4 million)
- Ocean Casino/William Hill ($1.6 million, up from $1.3 million)
- BetMGM/Borgata ($1.4 million, up from $721,801)
- Caesars Sportsbook/888sport ($536,600, up from $486,668)
- Golden Nugget/BetAmerica ($359,216, up from $336,740)
- Tropicana/William Hill ($40,014, up from $29,783)
FanDuel Sportsbook at The Meadowlands posted $4.1 million in October gross revenue, up from $3.6 million in September, to lead retail sportsbooks. FanDuel was followed in gross revenue by:
- Monmouth Park ($1.2 million, up from $996,844 in September)
- Ocean Casino ($697,659, down from $1.8 million)
- Borgata ($458,351, down from $756,416)
- Tropicana Casino ($350,230, up from $170,792)
- Resorts AC ($265,320, down from $340,117)
- Bally’s AC ($233,745, down from $241,703)
- Hard Rock AC ($123,616, down from $231,150)
- Golden Nugget ($176,890, up from $150,698)
- Harrah’s AC ($92,449, down from $118,102)
“The addition of Fox Bet under the Resorts Digital license has reset the race for the top spot in the online market,” Gouker said. “FanDuel is still the most popular single brand in the state, but it will be worth watching whether it can keep up with DraftKings and Fox Bet.
GOLDEN NUGGET’S ONLINE REVENUE TOP LAND-BASED REVENUE AS ONLINE CASINOS ENJOY RECORD MONTH
New Jersey’s online casino and poker industry continued its push toward $450 million in annual revenue after a record October, as the Golden Nugget’s online product generated more revenue than its land-based casino for the first time.
Online casino games and poker generated $45.2 million in October, up 69% from $26.8 million in October 2018, and blowing past the previous record of $41.14 million set in September. The industry has now generated an annual best $384.2 million in revenue so far in 2019 — 58% better than the $242.7 million generated in the first 10 months of 2018.
The importance of New Jersey’s digital product can be seen in the online casino market’s heaviest hitter. The Golden Nugget tallied $16.6 million in October, up 71% from $9.7 million in October 2018, to easily lead the online casino market. More importantly, for the first time its online revenue surpassed the revenue its land-based Atlantic City casino generated ($14.8 million).
“What the Golden Nugget continues to prove is that its online casino can generate millions in revenue and grow at an overwhelming pace without a negative impact on their own land-based operations,” said Eric Ramsey, online gambling analyst for PlayNJ.com. “When the first online casinos launched in 2013, many thought such a dynamic would be impossible. But clearly that has been proven wrong.”
Some other important online casino and poker data from the September report:
- Online casinos generated $6.8 million in tax revenue in October and has now injected $245.1 million into government coffers since launch in November 2013.
- The industry generated $1.5 million per day during the 31 days of October, up from $863,028 per day in October 2018.
- Online casino games generated $43.6 million in October, up from $39.5 million in September. Online poker was flat at $1.6 million.
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting and online gaming in New Jersey, visit PlayNJ.com/news.
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 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
IGT Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin Electronic Table Game Makes Global Debut in Las Vegas
IGT announced that its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin electronic table game (ETG) recently made its world debut at Downtown Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The vibrant standalone ETG game includes many of the attributes that have propelled the success of the Wheel of Fortune slots franchise for nearly three decades including word puzzles, wheel spins and exciting jackpot rewards. The game is accompanied by an attention-grabbing, 9-plus-feet upright video wheel that stands independent of the ETG terminals and entertains casino guests with the famous “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” chant.
“Downtown Grand was delighted to have the world premiere of IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin ETG solution on our gaming floor. Our guests instantly connected with the Wheel of Fortune brand and are eager to try their favorite slots brand in a new format. The stature and appeal of game’s accompanying ‘Big Wheel’ is inspiring a wide range of players to give the new game a try,” said Paul Phillips, Director of Casino Operations at Downtown Grand Las Vegas.
“Building on the continued success of IGT’s GameAce Roulette and Mesa4K terminals across North America, we are thrilled to introduce Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin to ETG players. The successful launch of Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin at Downtown Grand Casino speaks to the excitement that we can bring to a gaming floor, the universal appeal of the Wheel of Fortune brand, and IGT’s commitment to delivering game-changing innovation,” said Nick Khin, CEO of Gaming at IGT.
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Big Money Spin game is enjoyed on the Company’s GameAce ETG offering and features an intuitive gameplay design. To make a wager, players select a color-coded bet amount that corresponds with the colored wedges on the game’s digital Wheel of Fortune wheel. Players win when their wager matches the digital spin outcome, filling in letters in the game’s iconic puzzle board. The game’s Fortune Spin Bonus and Jackpot Bonus activate the solution’s large physical wheel, delivering a highly visible and recognizable win celebration on the gaming floor.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has earned a 2025 Platinum dotCOMM Award—the competition’s highest honor—for its “Mini Me” commercial, part of the agency’s Don’t Regret the Bet responsible gaming campaign. The spot won top recognition in the Social Media Marketing – Use of Video category, honoring creativity and excellence in digital communication.
Developed to reach young adults ages 18-24—a demographic research shows is at heightened risk of gambling-related harm—“Mini Me” combines hand-drawn animation with live-action footage to deliver a lighthearted yet impactful reminder about making smart choices when it comes to gambling. The approachable tone was designed to engage without stigma or judgment, helping the message resonate with its intended audience.
In just six months, the video generated strong engagement across Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Gas Station TV (GSTV), and other digital platforms, including:
• 255,781 impressions
• 149,345 individuals reached
• 13,059 clicks—more than any other ad in the MGCB’s campaign
• On GSTV, 2.2 million+ impressions and a 100% completion rate, surpassing industry benchmarks by 10%
“Winning a Platinum dotCOMM Award underscores the effectiveness of our responsible gaming messaging. The ‘Mini Me’ spot was intentionally designed to speak to young adults in a way that is approachable, relatable, and memorable. This recognition affirms that our message is not only being heard, but also making an impact,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
The MGCB previously earned a Platinum dotCOMM Award in 2023 alongside King Media for the launch of the Don’t Regret the Bet integrated marketing campaign, which continues to expand its reach across Michigan.
Launched in March 2023, Don’t Regret the Bet aims to prevent gambling problems before they start and reduce the number of people in Michigan who develop a serious gambling addiction. The MGCB and King Media have collaborated on a wide range of responsible gaming messages reaching Michiganders across multiple platforms — including broadcast TV and radio, point-of-sale video ads at gas stations, digital billboards, social media, streaming services, and podcasts.
“We’re proud to see the ‘Mini Me’ spot recognized on an international stage. From the very beginning of our partnership with the MGCB, our focus has been on creating work that not only stands out creatively, but also makes a measurable difference in people’s lives. This award validates the power of that mission—and it inspires us to keep pushing forward in our shared commitment to prevent problem gambling before it starts,” said Coleen King, president and founder of King Media.
Gambling in the USA
Aristocrat Interactive™ to Showcase Innovative iLottery Solutions at NASPL 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show
Aristocrat Interactive™, the Real Money Gaming (RMG) division of Aristocrat, today announced its participation as a Level II Sponsor at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show.
NASPL, the leading trade association representing 53 lottery organizations across North America, serves as a platform for collaboration, research, standards, and best practices that drive the future of the industry. Taking place September 8–11, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Ontario, Canada, the event, themed “Here to Play”, will gather lottery leaders from across North America to explore the evolving future of the industry.
Aristocrat Interactive will be showcasing its latest innovations for the iLottery sector through an interactive booth setup, one-on-one director’s dialogue sessions, a product and services showcase, and more. Attendees will get a first look at new eInstant titles, featuring fresh game mechanics and the business’s first cross-over game with its iGaming & Sports division. Aristocrat Interactive will also highlight its successful omnichannel solutions, which connect retail and online play to enhance player engagement and experience.
Building on this momentum, Aristocrat Interactive recently launched the New Hampshire Lottery’s new digital platform, signed long-term contracts with the Michigan Lottery and the Massachusetts Lottery, and secured a two-year extension with its NeoPollard Joint Venture in North Carolina—where Aristocrat Interactive provides the iLottery platform. These partnerships underscore Aristocrat Interactive’s commitment to helping lotteries deliver engaging digital experiences and sustainable growth.
“NASPL always sets the table for engaging discussions that can advance our customer-driven strategies to drive real digital growth for lotteries,” said Chris Shaban, Managing Director, iLottery at Aristocrat Interactive. “We’re looking forward to another opportunity to showcase Aristocrat Interactive as a solidified, future-ready unit with global gaming expertise.”
Attendees can connect with Aristocrat Interactive at Booth #209 and meet the team for one-on-one discussions in Room #205. Aristocrat Interactive will also hold a showcase on Wednesday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. at its booth.
For more information about Aristocrat Interactive and its iLottery solutions, please visit aristocratinteractive.com.
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