Gambling in the USA

March Madness propels Iowa to new heights

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2021

Zoltan Tundik

IOWA SPORTSBOOKS SET WAGERING RECORD WITH $160 MILLION MARCH

March Madness propels Iowa to new heights, as race for market supremacy heats up, according to PlayIA analysts

(LAS VEGAS) — Iowa sportsbooks capitalized on the popularity of March Madness to set a fresh round of records with more than $160 million in wagering, a welcome result following February’s modest dip in handle, according to analysts for PlayIA, which tracks regulated online and retail gaming in the state.

“Iowa was one of the few legal sports betting jurisdictions to actually improve per-day betting in February, so it is no surprise that sportsbooks set new highs in March,” said Jessica Welman, an analyst for PlayIA.com. “With new operators coming online and the in-person registration requirement is long gone, the Hawkeye State is well-positioned ahead of the inevitable summer slowdown.”

In March, online and retail sportsbooks combined to take in $161.4 million in wagers in March, according to official data released Thursday. That is up 8% from $143.6 million in wagers in February and topped the record $149.5 million handle in January. The heavy action, much of which came from bets on the NCAA Tournament, helped Iowa set records for per-day betting average and revenue, too. Per-day betting hit $5.2 million in the 31 days of March, which was up from the record $5.1 million bet per day during the 28 days of February.

The record month resulted in $13.5 million in net receipts for sportsbooks, which was up from $7.7 million in February and broke the previous high of $11.3 million set in January. In all, March’s bets yielded $908,011 in state taxes, yet another new high.

Iowa and Drake combined for four games in the NCAA Tournament, which undoubtedly boosted interest in March. And the Iowa and Iowa State women’s basketball teams added five more NCAA Tournament games, which also helped spike interest in college basketball betting. But the main catalyst for Iowa’s growth over the first quarter of 2021 has been the removal of in-person registration requirements for online betting in January. Online betting captured $139.4 million in bets, or 86.3% of the state’s overall handle, in March. Compare that to December, the last month of in-person registration when 74.4% of a much smaller overall handle came from bets made online.

“Three months after removing the in-person registration requirements, Iowa has set new highs in wagering per day in each month, even bucking a national trend of declining bets in February,” said Dustin Gouker, an analyst for PlayIA.com. “Obviously the key reason for that is that registration is easier than it was last year, and that has opened the door to new customers across the state. Those customers have responded enthusiastically, and the success of Iowa and Drake this season gave Iowans added incentive to engage with a sportsbook.”

William Hill — which partners in Iowa with Prairie Meadows, Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs, Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Isle of Capri Bettendorf, Lakeside, and Harrah’s Council Bluffs — narrowly led the market with $49.5 million in retail and online handle, which included $43 million in online wagers in March. That produced $2.3 million in receipts from online betting alone.

But the two largest sportsbooks in the country continue to gain ground in Iowa. The Wild Rose license, which is anchored by DraftKings but includes BetRivers, came in second with a $44.3 million total handle and topped online betting with $43.7 million, which led to a market-best $3.6 million in net receipts from online betting. FanDuel and BetMGM helped put Diamond Jo in third place with $42.8 million in bets, including 37.7 million in online bets. Online betting netted $2.9 million in receipts .

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Retail betting generated $22.1 million, up from $18.4 million in February.

“It will not be easy for William Hill to fend off DraftKings and FanDuel,” Welman said. “The two largest sportsbooks in the country have brought a lot of marketing know-how to the state, and that has led to continued gains. Ultimately, though, bettors are the beneficiaries as they all compete for attention.”

For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Iowa, visit PlayIA.com/news.

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Gambling in the USA

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

Published

3 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.