Gambling in the USA
PlayNJ.com: Sports betting slows in June while revenue booms
New Jersey’s online and retail sportsbooks rejoined the national trend of declining betting volume in June. But a hold of 9.3% pushed revenue at sportsbooks to more than $71 million, a remarkable result that blunted the effects of any summer slowdown, according to PlayNJ, which tracks the state’s regulated online gaming and sports betting market.
“Overall, New Jersey continues to perform far better than every other sports betting market in the U.S.,” said Dustin Gouker, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayNJ.com. “No market can completely overcome a lack of betting inventory, but New Jersey’s sportsbooks continue to find ways to capitalize on what the sports world is offering, most notably the NBA Playoffs and baseball.”
Online and retail sportsbooks took in $766.9 million in bets in June, according to official data released Friday. That is down 5.8% from $814.3 million in May, but up dramatically from $117.8 million in June 2020, a month still plagued with pandemic-related closures.
June’s action yielded $71.3 million in gross gaming revenue, the most in operator revenue since sportsbooks posted a record $82.6 million in January. $164.4 million in parlay betting, which has a year-long hold of 17.8%, by far the highest of any type of bet, was the main revenue generator in June. Operator revenue was up 34.7% from $52.9 million in May and up exponentially over $12.6 million in June 2020.
All told, June’s betting yielded $10.5 million in state and local taxes.
March brought the highest betting volume in U.S. history, with $4.6 billion in legal bets placed across the U.S. With no football or betting holiday like March Madness, combined U.S. handle fell to $3.7 billion in both April and May. That is a 19.6% drop from March’s high. But New Jersey’s volume has outperformed the rest of the U.S., down 10.8% in June from $859.6 million in March.
New Jersey’s advantage, other than its close proximity to New York, is the popularity of the NBA in the Northeast. June saw $190.9 million in basketball-related bets, easily the most of any sport during the month. Through the first six months of the year, basketball has attracted $1.7 billion in wagering. That represents 34.5% of the $4.8 billion handle from events completed so far this year, the most of any sport by a considerable margin.
“While the sportsbooks in most states have been scouring the sports landscape for opportunities to drive interest, New Jersey’s books have successfully capitalized on the NBA playoffs and baseball,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for PlayNJ.com.
89.1%, or $734.7 million, of June’s handle came through an online operator. FanDuel Sportsbook/PointsBet commanded the market lead once again with $38.1 million in gross revenue, up from $29.8 million in May.
FanDuel was followed in revenue by:
- Resorts Digital/DraftKings/Fox Bet ($13.0 million, up from $9.5 million in April)
- BetMGM/Borgata ($5.6 million, up from $4.7 million)
- Ocean Casino/William Hill ($2.3 million, up from $1.3 million)
- Monmouth/William Hill/SugarHouse/TheScore ($2.0 million, up from $1.8 million)
- Hard Rock/Bet365/Unibet ($642,297, up from $508,488)
- Caesars Sportsbook/888sport ($243,981, down from $518,217)
- Golden Nugget/BetAmerica ($80,615, up from -$87,211)
- Tropicana/William Hill ($92,388, down from $48,000)
Meanwhile, retail sportsbooks continued to benefit from loosening restrictions with $83.9 million wagers in June, up from $79.6 million in May. Meadowlands/FanDuel led all retail books with $6.4 million in revenue in June.
The most mature U.S. market other than Nevada, New Jersey should get an infusion of new brands, including a potential Sports Illustrated-branded app, after SI and 888 Holdings announced a deal to create an app that could launch in multiple markets. This as voters get a chance to alter the market with a vote later this year to lift the state’s ban on wagering on in-state college teams.
“It feels like market share in New Jersey is cemented right now,” Ramsey said. “Right now, the state could really benefit from a small shakeup. A new brand with a well-known name like SI could help. So too would unlocking local college sports betting.”
Online casinos and poker
Online casinos and poker rooms extended their run of $100 million-plus revenue months to four, reaching $107.1 million in June. Revenue was up 26.1% from $84.9 million in June 2020, though down from $108.2 million in May.
The huge gains made in online gambling in 2020 has so far withstood the reopening of Atlantic City casinos. Through six months of 2021, online gaming has produced $634.2 million in revenue. That is well on pace to surpass the record $970.3 million in revenue in 2020 and easily reach $1 billion in revenue in a single year for the first time.
Borgata/BetMGM led in June with $34.3 million in casino and poker revenue. That topped rival Golden Nugget, which reached $27.6 million. Resorts Digital, which includes the Fox Bet and DraftKings brands, which has also made significant investments in its online gaming product over the last year, was third with $22.5 million in revenue.
“The positive effect of online sports betting, the race for market share, and the behavioral changes that stemmed from last year’s pandemic-related shutdowns continue to benefit online casinos and poker rooms,” Ramsey said. “$1 billion in annual revenue seems like a certainty now. And more growth could come this fall, even with Atlantic City recovering.”
Other highlights from June’s report:
- Online casinos and poker rooms generated $18.7 million in state and local taxes.
- Online casinos and poker generated $3.6 million per day in the 30 days of June, up from $3.5 million per day in May.
- Online casinos accounted for $104.8 million of June’s revenue, up 28.8% from $81.4 million in June 2020.
- Online poker generated $2.2 million, down 37.5% from $3.5 million in June 2020.
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting and online gaming, visit PlayNJ.com/news.
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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