Gambling in the USA
LEGAL SPORTSBOOKS IN INDIANA TO JOIN NEW JERSEY AT THE MOVIES WITH ODDS ON 92ND ACADEMY AWARDS
Indiana Gaming Commission opens door for sportsbooks to bank on Oscars interest, according to PlayUSA.com
Sportsbooks in Indiana have joined New Jersey as the only states offering movie buffs the opportunity to join their favorite actors, actresses, and directors as big winners from the 92nd Academy Awards. A year after New Jersey’s retail and online sportsbooks broke new ground in the United States by offering legal betting on the Academy Awards for the first time, both Indiana and New Jersey will be offering odds on the Oscars, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 9.
To prepare for the movie industry’s star-studded night, PlayUSA has created a complete rundown of the Oscars at www.playusa.com/sports-betting/oscars, including odds on every major category, a pick sheet, what sites are accepting bets, and analysis on the races.
“Oscars betting was a hit in its first year in New Jersey, and we suspect that interest will only grow,” said Jessica Welman, betting analyst for PlayUSA.com and PlayIndiana.com, as well as a movie historian who earned a master’s degree in Film and Media Studies from Indiana University Bloomington and a bachelor’s in Cinema-TV Critical Studies from the University of Southern California. “We saw last year that bettors were less motivated by the favorites and more interested in backing their favorite films and movie stars. This year’s field of nominees has star power in front of and behind the camera, so that should help drive interest.”
New Jersey sportsbooks accepted an estimated $1 million in bets in the first year that it was offered, according to PlayUSA. Now that the Indiana Gaming Commission has authorized betting on the Oscars at the state’s sportsbooks, which happened on Wednesday, Hoosier State bettors will have the same chance.
The Indiana operations of FanDuel and DraftKings are expected to be the first in Indiana to offer odds in the state, but more will likely follow.
“It is exciting that Indiana has opened the doors to Oscars betting,” Welman said. “The Academy Awards will likely only generate a fraction of the bets of the NFL’s big game, but the interest should still be significant. For Indiana bettors, it will make a fun and new way to enjoy the Oscars.”
DraftKings in New Jersey became the first sportsbook to post the Oscars, followed by FOX Bet, and more are expected soon. DraftKings New Jersey is offering odds on all 24 categories at the Academy Awards. In 2019, most books limited action to the six major Oscars categories, including best picture, director, actor, actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress.
“The top categories will undoubtedly draw the most interest,” Welman said. “This year, in particular, is shaping up to be a controversial one. Again, critics can point to a lack of diversity in nominations and some films, such as Joker, have received polarizing audience reactions. But instead of fighting with friends about a movie’s merits, New Jersey movie buffs can quietly put their money where their mouth is.”
The four major acting categories all feature prohibitive favorites. Joaquin Phoenix (-1,667), for Joker, and Renee Zellweger (-1,000), for Judy, are the clear frontrunners for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively. Brad Pitt (-1,000), for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Laura Dern (-1,000), for Marriage Story, are the favorites for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Sam Mendes (-134), for 1917, and Bong Joon Hoo (+225), for Parasite, are leading a tight race for Best Director.
The closest major race appears to be for Best Picture, led by Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (+160) and 1917 (+200).
“Best Picture seems like a two-horse race between the two Golden Globe picture winners, 1917 and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Welman said. “While no one is arguing that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino’s best film, the Academy is typically concerned with ensuring deserving nominees get rewarded. This could be the Academy’s last chance to give Tarantino the top prize, and that often carries a lot of weight.”
Compliance Updates
Arizona Department of Gaming Releases October Sports Betting Figures
Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $791 million on sports in October of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 22% increase when compared to October of 2023.
The state collected approximately $2.35 million in privilege fees in the month.
Gambling in the USA
Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series
Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14th.
Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.
The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.
The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.
Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.
Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.
“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”
Gambling in the USA
Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
Saracen Casino Resort has selected Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an integrated AI-driven suite, to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest experiences. The QCI Chatalytics solution, which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, Dashboard, and the Robot Button, leverages OpenAI integration to provide real-time insights and streamlined decision-making across the casino floor.
QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of AI-powered tools designed to optimize both player and slot management. With Slot Copilot, operators gain enhanced capabilities for real-time slot performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and dynamic task assignment. Player Copilot delivers personalized player engagement by analyzing customer data to inform service decisions and reward recommendations. The Dashboard component offers an intuitive, real-time display of key metrics, enabling data-driven insights at a glance. Additionally, the innovative Robot Button automates routine processes, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improve overall efficiency.
Clayton Mason, Senior Director of Marketing of Saracen Casino Resort, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Integrating QCI Chatalytics into our operations marks a significant step in our strategy to harness the power of AI. With advanced tools like the Robot button, Slot Copilot and Player Copilot, we can deliver a more tailored and efficient experience for our guests while gaining deeper insights into our gaming operations.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his vision for the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring the capabilities of QCI Chatalytics to Saracen Casino Resort. By integrating OpenAI technology, our solution provides unprecedented levels of automation and insight. We believe Chatalytics will play a crucial role in optimizing floor operations and enhancing guest satisfaction through real-time, data-driven decision-making.”
The QCI Chatalytics platform is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s commitment to driving innovation in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline operations and enhance the player experience.
-
Latest News7 days ago
Plaza Hotel & Casino offering free stalls to temporarily rehome horses affected by the California wildfires
-
Affiliate Industry7 days ago
MetaBet inks Gentoo Media partnership to enhance flagship sites
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
INCENTIVE GAMES RECEIVES FULL PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING CERTIFICATION IN BRAZIL
-
Latest News7 days ago
INSPIRED TO LAUNCH 16 SLOT GAMES IN BRAZIL, IGNITING THE iGAMING MARKET IN JANUARY 2025
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
FBMDS obtains certification to operate in Brazil
-
Latest News7 days ago
PENN Entertainment Announces Partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment for Market Access in Washington, D.C.
-
Compliance Updates3 days ago
Digitain Group Products are Certified for Brazil
-
Canada2 days ago
BetConstruct Becomes the First iGaming Company to Offer Both B2B and B2C Licenses in Canada through Affiliate Entity