Gambling in the USA
PLAYLOUISIANA.COM: LOUISIANA SPORTSBOOKS TO DRAW MORE THAN $2.5 BILLION IN ANNUAL WAGERING ONCE MARKET MATURES
State’s sportsbooks will benefit from tourism, geography, fueling industry that could generate as much as $30 million in annual taxes for the state
Louisiana will open the doors to a sports betting industry that will use rich natural advantages to one day turn the state into a market that will attract more than $2.5 billion in annual sports wagers and more than $200 million in operator revenue, according to estimates by PlayLouisiana, which tracks the state’s regulated online gaming and sports betting market.
“Louisiana should be able to outperform its relatively small population,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for the PlayUSA.com network, which includes PlayLouisiana.com. “In fact, as a market Louisiana shares many of the same attributes that have made New Jersey and Nevada sports betting meccas. The state has long been home to a thriving casino industry, New Orleans itself can draw tourists from all over the country, and Louisiana is not bordered by another state that offers both retail and online sports betting.”
Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to sign the bill that will legalize retail and mobile sports betting across the state. Currently, 21 states and Washington D.C. have an active legal sports betting industry in some form, and Louisiana would be joining nine other states that have approved sports betting in some form and are preparing for launch later this year or next.
With a population of more than 4.6 million people, Louisiana should generate $2.5 billion in retail and online sports wagering by the market’s third year, according to PlayLouisiana projections. Assuming an approximate 8% “hold,” which is the percentage sportsbooks keep after paying out winning bets, those wagers would produce $200 million in operator revenue. The bill calls for a 15% levy on online bets and 10% rate on retail betting. At that rate, online and retail sports betting would yield as much as $30 million in taxes annually.
Among states with an active sports betting industry, Louisiana most closely compares to Colorado, which is home to 5.8 million people. Colorado launched its industry under difficult circumstances in May 2020, but still managed $2.3 billion in wagers and $147.4 million in gross gaming revenue in its first year.
Louisiana is a smaller state, but it has the potential to drive significantly more wagering than its population might suggest. One of those attributes includes the unique structure of Louisiana’s sports betting bill, which will allow sports wagering kiosks to be placed at thousands of bars, restaurants and truck stops across most of the state. Its balanced tax rates will be appealing to operators, too, which will make it more likely that there will be enough demand to reach the state’s ceiling of 41 sports betting apps.
“The basic framework will be appealing for sportsbook operators, and that will help the state reach its potential,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayUSA.com. “Even more, Louisiana set up a relatively open and competitive market, which benefits consumers while making the industry a reliable revenue producer for the state for years to come.”
Louisiana will also benefit from an already large in-flow of tourists, particularly to New Orleans. Also, New Orleans is particularly appealing as a sports tourism market with fans regularly traveling from all over the country for special events such as college bowl games, the Super Bowl, and the NCAA Tournament, in addition to regular season games. In addition, Louisiana’s neighbors — including in Texas — will regularly travel across the border to place a bet.
Plus, the local sports scene is robust, with an NFL and NBA franchise, five major college football programs, and 12 NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs calling Louisiana home.
“New Orleans is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the U.S., and the regular flow of tourists from neighboring large cities like Houston, and even a legal betting state such as retail-only Mississippi, should be a boon initially,” Ramsey said. “Also, the state is home to passionate local fanbases, which is a help for any market. The bottom line is that most markets in the U.S. are without Louisiana’s collection of positive attributes.”
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.
-
Latest News5 days agoLeading Brazilian Lottery Operator Grupo da Sorte Selects Optimove as CRM Marketing Solution to Accelerate Growth through Personalized Journey Orchestration
-
Latest News4 days agoBetRivers Introduces PropPacks, an Innovative Feature for the NBA Season
-
Latest News4 days agoProntoPaga Transforms its Operating Model in Brazil to Ensure Risk-Free Transactions
-
Compliance Updates4 days agoBrazilian Ministry of Finance and IBIA sign sports betting integrity agreement
-
Latest News3 days agoBrazilian Ministry of Finance and Sportradar Join Forces to Strengthen Integrity of Sports
-
Latest News2 days agoCarnival Corporation & PLC Fleet Go “All-In” With Galaxy Gaming’s Galaxy Table Games Progressives
-
Gambling in the USA1 day agoPhoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
-
Latest News2 days agoPanel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market