Gambling in the USA
PlayPennsylvania.com: Sportsbooks generate $350 million in bets as momentum grows
Keystone State’s momentum continues with record handle and revenue as more online casinos launch, according to PlayPennsylvania.com
A record-setting January pushed Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks past $100 million in lifetime revenue. But even with a strong start to the New Year, Pennsylvania still has much ground to gain to catch New Jersey and Nevada as the largest sports betting markets in the country, according to PlayPennsylvania.com.
“Pennsylvania’s momentum is growing, and January shows that the state’s sportsbooks can sustain it even as the NFL season winds down,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Pennsylvania will likely remain the nation’s No. 3 market for the foreseeable future. But it is becoming clearer that it will one day challenge Nevada and New Jersey as the largest legal sports betting market in the U.S.”
Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks accepted a record $348.4 million in wagers in January, breaking the $342.6 million record set in December up dramatically from $32 million in January 2019, according to official data released Wednesday. $308.6 million, or 88.6%, of the state’s January handle came online.
January’s bets produced a record $31.6 million in gross revenue — up from $17.5 million in December. That produced $7.78 million in state taxes. With January’s gains, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks have now generated $116.4 million in gross revenue since launching in November 2018.
Pennsylvania is still well behind New Jersey, which generated a handle of $540.1 million in January, and Nevada, which is expected to post a January handle of around $500 million. Pennsylvania’s $30.7 million handle for February’s Super Bowl was third behind Nevada ($154.7 million) and New Jersey ($54.2 million), another sign of the Keystone State’s current place in the sports betting pecking order.
“The opportunities for growth are abundant for Pennsylvania,” Gouker said. “Its population base is a huge advantage. Infrastructure issues have slowed the state’s development. But the industry is unquestionably getting past its growing pains.”
The gap between the top two online sportsbooks appears to be narrowing. FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino remains the market leader with $153.1 million January bets, down from $154.5 million in December. That yielded $8.1 million in taxable revenue, up from $7 million. But DraftKings at The Meadows grew to $58.7 million in January from $35.9 million in December. That produced $2.8 million in taxable revenue, up from $732,883.
DraftKings and FanDuel were followed by:
- Rivers Philadelphia ($28.4 million in handle, down from $30.6 million in December; $2.2 million taxable revenue, up from $1.1 million)
- Rivers Pittsburgh ($25.8 million in handle, down from $28.3 million in; $1.7 million revenue, up from $1.3 million)
- Parx Casino ($21.3 million handle, down from $25.5 million; $2 million revenue, up from $779,529)
- Fox Bet at Mount Airy ($15.4 million handle, down from $16.4 million; $1.3 million revenue, up from $312,658 in revenue)
- Unibet at Mohegan Sun Pocono ($4.8 million handle, down from $6.1 million; $126,879 revenue, up from -$31,744)
- Presque Isle Downs ($1.2 million handle, up from $129,556; $44,717 revenue, up from $28,700)
The online market could soon get a shakeup. Penn National Gaming announced that it has acquired a significant stake in Barstool Sports and with it, a recognizable brand for its online casino and sportsbook that will presumably launch later this year.
“DraftKings has been aggressively marketing itself in Pennsylvania, and it is making some headway in its attempt to catch up with FanDuel. But it still has a long way to go,” Gouker said. “Meanwhile, the expected launch later this year of the Barstool-branded online casino and sportsbook will add intrigue to a market that has been predictably controlled by the two most recognizable brands in online sports betting.”
The retail market was led by Rivers Philadelphia’s $7.4 million handle, down from $7.7 million in December. That yielded $1.1 million in revenue, up from $590,177. Rivers Philadelphia was followed by:
- Parx ($6.7 million handle, down from $7.5 million; $875,269 revenue, up from $572,416)
- Rivers Pittsburgh ($6.7 million handle, down from $7.5 million; $791,877 revenue, up from $518,743)
- South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook ($3 million handle, down from $3.3 million; $501,515 revenue, up from $328,651)
- Harrah’s Philadelphia ($3 million handle, even with December; $219,597 revenue, up from $123,799)
- Valley Forge Casino ($2.9 million handle, down from $3.6 million; $391,012 revenue, up from $107,145)
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course ($2.6 million handle, down from $3.2 million; $180,249 revenue, up from $112,277)
- Presque Isle ($2.3 million handle, down from $3 million; $281,753 revenue, down from $217,870)
- Mohegan ($1.9 million handle, down from $2.6 million; $137,702 revenue, down from $257,956)
- Oaks Race and Sportsbook ($973,451 handle, down from $1.2 million; $97,394 revenue, down from $65,949)
- Mount Airy ($732,813 handle, down from $814,931 handle; $81,793 revenue, up from $73,692 in revenue)
Online casinos continue growth
Online casino games and poker generated $14 million in January gross revenue, up from $10.6 million in December. That yielded $3.4 million in tax revenue for the state.
More importantly, the roster of online casinos grew to seven in January. FanDuel/Valley Forge Casino made a big splash with its debut on Jan. 24, generating $2.1 million during the remainder of the month. FanDuel was followed by the launch of BetAmerica less than a week later.
“The online casino market should get a real jolt from FanDuel’s entrance,” Gouker said. “Integrated within FanDuel’s market-leading sportsbook app, the FanDuel Casino is ideally positioned to leverage its success as a sportsbook into success as an online casino.”
More from January’s report:
- Rivers-Philadelphia led the online casino market with $3.5 million in revenue on $146.4 million in wagers. Revenue was up from $3 million on $181.5 million in bets in January.
- Mount Airy/PokerStars, the lone online poker operator in the state, generated $2.2 million in January. That is more than the $1.8 million New Jersey’s online poker room generated in January, but still shy of the all-jurisdiction record $3.4 million that New Jersey claimed in January 2014.
- Poker helped fueled Mount Airy/PokerStars to $3.5 million in revenue, about the same as December.
For more information on the revenue generated by Pennsylvania sports betting, visit www.playpennsylvania.com/revenue.
The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features, and bonuses.
“We have been humbled by the incredible global fanfare Dragon Link has received over the years but are never ones to rest on our laurels. The teams have been working tirelessly on a follow-up that brings together all the player-favorite elements in a new and exciting way with Phoenix Link as the proud result. We were thrilled to partner with Yaamava’ to premiere Phoenix Link with flair, excitement, and celebration,” said Victor Duarte, executive vice president of product for Aristocrat Gaming.
Phoenix Link players will enjoy the game’s additional denominations, configurations, and jackpots on each of the launch game theme titles. Gameplay features include Hold & Spin, Free Games with multiplier wilds or twin spin reels, Phoenix Mystery trigger, and more new bonus twists. Phoenix Link is available on the Neptune Single cabinet.
“Yaamava’ is thrilled to host yet another world premiere in gaming with the launch of Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming. Our Club Serrano members are already raving about this captivating extension of the player-favorite Dragon Link. It’s a great addition to the Yaamava’ gaming floor,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said.
Gambling in the USA
NOVOMATIC shines at G2E 2024: A street smart showcase of innovation and engagement
In line with its commitment to innovation, NOVOMATIC unveiled several ground breaking product launches that left a significant impact on the gaming industry. The V.I.P. X™ cabinet series emerged as one of the main attractions, highlighting models such as the V.I.P. X Royal™ 1.85, V.I.P. X Dream™ 3.43, and the V.I.P. X Lounge™ 2.32. The crown jewel of the presentation was the V.I.P. Galaxy™ 2.65, setting a new benchmark for luxury cabinets with its perfect blend of comfort and state-of-the-art gaming technology. Featuring high-definition screens and immersive sound systems, the fully adjustable lounge design promises an unparalleled gaming experience, leaving customers eager to introduce these innovations onto their gaming floors.
The unveiling of a new LED wall as part of the DIAMOND X™ series, including the DIAMOND X™ 1.55J, showcased the U.S.-style designed Piggy Prizes title. The modern and interactive design sent a clear message: NOVOMATIC Americas has fully arrived, enhancing its reputation for premium entertainment experiences.
Groundbreaking Progressives and a Robust VGT Lineup
NOVOMATIC introduced a variety of THUNDER CASH™ GOLD Progressives featuring new titles like Charming Lady’s Boom Coins™ and Red Amazon Explosion™. The Globe Link™ Xtension Volume 1 & 2 also attracted considerable interest, marking a significant impact with several new themes. The excitement surrounding these progressive games was palpable, bolstered by innovative math models and enticing bonus structures.
The VGT product range received special emphasis, particularly with the Street-Smart-themed area dedicated to highlight the themes and flexible assortment of cabinet styles for markets in Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and Georgia. This dynamic showcase reinforced NOVOMATIC’s commitment to providing leading solutions in performance and player appeal within the VGT sector. Featuring both NOVOLINE™ and Magic HD customer favorite themes, this area showed the new game mixes on DIAMOND X™ 2.32, BLACK EDITION II 3.27 & BLACK EDITION II 1.49J, V.I.P. X Lounge™ 2.32 and FUNMASTER 2.27. Specifically in Illinois, featuring the Magic HD game mix consisting of the Overlay Magic Play Lock & Spin feature, and the new Poker3™ multi-hand video poker mix. NOVOLINE™ games were shown on the Black Edition II 1.49J cabinet with popular games like ULTRA BOOST™ and Money Party™ themes. Georgia Skill showed three new game titles in the Magic HD mix while more new titles lined the streets of the NOVOMATIC booth.
Advancements in Sports Betting and Casino Management
In addition to its product line, NOVOMATIC showed their cutting-edge sports betting kiosks including the ActionBook™ Edge 1.43J, and ActionBook™ Plus 2.27 models. With advanced graphics and rapid processing capabilities, these kiosks offer operators unmatched flexibility and performance. The premiere of the award-winning NOVOVISION™ casino management system was another highlight, leveraging biometric technology for enhanced player recognition and streamlined operations. Already acknowledged as a ‘Best CMS/Software Product’ at the European Casino Awards, this system generated significant buzz regarding its potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape.
Industry Recognition for Creative and Commercial Success
The combination of NOVOMATIC’s innovative product launches and captivating booth design earned widespread acclaim. The company was recognized for its Street-Smart booth, praised for creativity, interactivity, and the memorable experiences it fostered. Industry experts and attendees alike hailed NOVOMATIC’s presence at G2E 2024 as one of the most impactful.
Alexander Merwald, CEO at NOVOMATIC Americas, stated, “G2E 2024 was an incredible success for NOVOMATIC. We were proud to showcase the V.I.P. X™ cabinet series – Our ‘Street Games, Street Smart’ focus resonated strongly, as we demonstrated how our tailored solutions meet the real-world needs of both casino and VGT operators. The response from customers reaffirmed NOVOMATIC’s position as a leader in delivering innovation, performance, and market-specific strategies for North America.”
Thomas Schmalzer, VP of Global Sales, and Product Management at NOVOMATIC AG, added, “The product diversity and innovation showcased at G2E 2024 have been enthusiastically received by both operators and players. Our V.I.P. X™ series and extensive range of progressives reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering premium solutions to the global market.”
With new partnerships established and product placements secured at G2E 2024, NOVOMATIC is primed to expand its market presence across North America. The success at this year’s expo signifies a vital step forward in the company’s mission to set the standard for gaming entertainment.
Gambling in the USA
Century Casinos Announces Opening Date for New Land-Based Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville, MO
Century Casinos Inc. announced that its new land-based casino and hotel in Caruthersville, Missouri will open on November 1, 2024.
This news follows the Missouri Gaming Commission’s approval to transfer the Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville gaming license from a temporary pavilion to the new land-based location.
The new Century Casino & Hotel Caruthersville will have 599 slot machines and nine live table games, a 50% increase in gaming positions compared with the temporary location. The number of hotel rooms will double to 74. The construction of this new land-based casino and hotel started in December 2022 and will be finalized on time and on budget with an estimated project cost of $51.9 million, which has been funded by VICI Properties Inc. (VICI). VICI will own the real estate improvements associated with the Caruthersville project, which will become part of the Company’s triple net master lease agreement with subsidiaries of VICI. Annual rent under the lease will increase by approximately $4.2 million.
The opening of the new land-based casino will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event at 11:30 a.m. Central Time on Friday, November 1, and a flurry of activities over the opening weekend.
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