Gambling in the USA
Colorado’S Sports Betting Industry Market Should Thrive When Games Are Back On
Set to launch on May 1, Colorado could attract as much as $6 billion in sports bets annually, according to PlayColorado analysts
Colorado’s fledgling sports betting industry will eventually generate billions of dollars in bets annually, hundreds of millions in operator revenue, and tens of millions in tax revenue, according to estimates by PlayColorado.com, which researches and analyzes the state’s newly regulated sports betting market.
Despite the sports world being indefinitely shuttered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, regulators are preparing for a May 1 launch of online and retail sports betting. When it does, Colorado will become the 18th state to have some form of legal sports betting. And the Centennial State has a bright future, capable at maturity of generating as much as $6 billion in sports bets annually, $400 million in gross operator revenue annually, and $40 million in annual tax revenue, according to PlayColorado projections.
“With a significant base of existing land-based casinos, a regulatory framework that will be attractive to operators, and one of the largest metropolitan markets in the country to draw from, Colorado is well-positioned to capitalize on sports betting,” said Dustin Gouker, chief analyst for PlayColorado.com. “But assuming the industry does launch on May 1, it will be doing so in unprecedented circumstances with almost no sports to wager on. There are some advantages to a forced soft opening, but it also means that it will be some time before we learn with confidence just how Colorado’s bettors will respond to legal sports betting.”
Colorado regulators have been deliberate in creating a regulatory framework for casinos, opting for a later start date to ensure that the state gets sports betting right. Its 10% tax on net revenue is comparable to some of the most successful sports betting markets. New Jersey, which is neck and neck with Nevada as the nation’s largest sports betting market, levies a 9.75% tax on revenue from retail sportsbooks and 13% on online sports betting revenue. Indiana, the No. 4 sports betting market in the U.S., taxes sports betting at a 9.5% rate.
In addition, Colorado has avoided some of the pitfalls of earlier adopters, such as imposing maximum bet limits, a decision state regulators left to operators.
“Colorado legislators and regulators have made many smart, measured decisions based on input from casinos, operators, and bettors, and that has led to the adoption of an excellent collection of rules and restrictions,” Gouker said. “They have also had the undeniable benefit of seeing what has worked in other states. Colorado’s methodical approach might have been frustrating to bettors by slowing the launch, but there is plenty to be encouraged about. Sports betting operators have inked partnerships and regulators are listening to stakeholders. That will serve Colorado well.”
Until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, bettors will largely have to wait to wager on anything other than futures on pro sports and a handful of international sports.
In other states, legal online casino and poker wagering has meant millions in additional revenue for operators and states, helping to bolster bottom lines during a difficult time in the gaming industry.
“There is no question that the revenue from online casinos and poker rooms has helped operators in states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania weather the shutdowns of land-based casinos and essentially all sports,” Gouker said. “Coloradoans will likely someday decide if and when the time is right to legalize online casino wagering. In the meantime, it has put the right framework in place for its sports betting industry to thrive once sports are played again.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Colorado, visit PlayColorado.com/news.
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.
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