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

Published

5 years ago

November 15, 2019

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

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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

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Published

4 days ago

April 25, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

HCAL, LLC
JCM Global
Konami Gaming, Inc.
PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

Gambling in the USA

NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Peter Tolan

The renowned Mexican operator Logrand has installed Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinets and a selection of its latest games at the New York Casino in Monterrey.

Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.

The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.

On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.

Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”

For his part, Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”

Gambling in the USA

Sky River Casino Guest Wins Half-million Dollars Playing Progressive Blackjack

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Niji Narayan

Sky River Casino has announced that an Elk Grove resident has won a whopping $511,311 while playing progressive blackjack on March 31, 2025. The Sky River Rewards member hit the big win after playing the table game for less than an hour.

“Our progressive table games and slot machines continue to be really hot here at Sky River Casino. Our players have had an impressive number of life-changing jackpots and our winning streak continues. We look forward to the next big win and welcome adults near and far to visit to explore and enjoy our high-energy atmosphere, lively promotions, exciting gaming, and unparalleled dining experiences,” said Michael J. Facenda, President of Sky River Casino.

The lucky local guest plans to use her winnings to renovate a kitchen and build a house back home.

“Without question, the best part of my job is watching our valued members and guests experience jaw dropping wins like this one. We all share in the incredible excitement that is absolutely contagious and can be felt throughout the casino,” said Charleen Ripley, VP of Casino Operations for Sky River Casino.