Gambling in the USA
“2021 was a true gamechanger for us” – exclusive interview with Head of Amelco USA, Brandon Walker, on innovation in the US
The US market is experiencing unprecedented levels of investment, and Amelco is at the forefront of this exciting period of growth. Brandon Walker, Head of Amelco USA, gives us some insight into the opportunities that are presenting themselves and how his company is set to capitalize.
As we near four years since the repeal of PASPA, just how far has the US market come towards taking the crown as the world’s most exciting hub for online betting and iGaming?
There has been massive growth in the US – it is the area where we are seeing the most hype and the most investment, at present. This isn’t to say that the rest of the world isn’t also performing well – iGaming and sports betting is thriving internationally. The past 18 months has really showcased the industry’s flare for innovation, it’s been an impressive demonstration of what’s been possible, and this is what has fuelled so much growth. The cream always rises to the top and while major players will take the market share, this gives space for the younger firms to carve out their niche. One of the most exciting aspects of the US situation is that it varies state by state – it’s been thrilling to flex our muscles by tailoring our offering to each state. Naturally, many things are the same but it’s a great challenge to establish a unique presence in each particular territory.
Talk us through Amelco’s expansion across the US – what’s been key for you so far?
Last year saw an unprecedented level of growth for Amelco – we took on some really big tier one clients. We rolled out across some major states, including Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Iowa, and Wyoming. During this period of growth, what has really set us apart is our platform – it’s the most comprehensive omni-channel offering on the market, providing a single app that can be used across multiple states. 2021’s been a true gamechanger for us and has really sets us apart.
With 2021 marking a record number of states coming online for the first time, which states do you believe have proven key to the US market’s growth?
New Jersey takes the crown – this state has been the frontrunner for a while. Pennsylvania is another, as well as Michigan. The main reason these states have thrived is that they have found a way to effectively offer iGaming alongside sports betting, which certainly benefits growth. It allows players to twin their favourite sports with that Vegas experience from their homes, and this really complements the sportsbook.
How much do you see online casino expanding in tandem with sports betting? How much do US player habits differ from their European counterparts?
Regulation is the key factor – it will be slower in terms of uptake than sports but it’s only a matter of time for most states to add the casino experience to the sports betting offering. It makes no sense not to. Effectively, we’re at a tipping point for adoption as more and more start to offer it – further states will join the fold sooner or later. Of course, lobbying from the land-based sector plays its part, this will ultimately become more mainstream alongside sports betting, as the US heritage and love for the casino experience makes it an inevitability.
Looking at markets, the US is very heavy on singles bets and parlays will have much more uptake in the US as the ‘bet low, win high’ experience appeals to the recreational punter. For example, laying a 10-dollar bet on who’s going to win out of five games is based purely on emotion and love for their team, and this passion for the sport adds that extra dynamic to their entertainment. From our data, we’re seeing that’s how the majority of US sports fans get into betting – it’s part of the cultural fabric and offers a big win. When it comes to casino, poker still remains a growth opportunity and has seen something of an uptick but it’s still niche. Live dealer games are massively popular and will continue to be – of course, slots from an iGaming perspective are always going to be dominant given the land-based heritage they are associated with. After all, the US is and always be the true home of casino.
How key is a full-service platform to differentiating tier one suppliers to those who simply offer sportsbook?
It makes a massive difference, with a platform, you’ve got one full ecosystem managed by one software provider. The benefits are numerous – a full-service platform reduces risk and offers one full system working cohesively, which can work multiple tech and platforms. Additionally, it is much more cost efficient – using multiple suppliers to run one operation/app is always going to cost more.
Where has Amelco got its eye on for the year ahead? How much potential do you see in New York state now that it’s issued its first licences?
There are a handful of states that we have identified as being particularly ripe with potential; we’ve got our eye on California – we’ve got plenty of confidence in that being massive, so we are going to devote plenty of focus to that. Maryland is another, and Arkansas will be live soon enough. Arkansas especially as plenty of potential for online, with only three to four land-based casinos: while I can’t say too much just yet, Amelco will be the first to go live there, and that is testament to the leading position we’ve created for ourselves stateside.
Last but not least, with March Madness and the US Super Bowl fast approaching, what predictions can you share with our readers for betting activity?
There are so many states now online that 2022’s major spring events have got every potential to be the biggest ever in both engagement and turnover. The number of additional states that will eventually add to that means year-on-year growth is effectively inevitable every year for the foreseeable future! Parlays will continue to be a huge growth space, and this year’s Super Bowl, which will inevitably centre around Tom Brady, is sure to be a monumental event. I’m sure there will be plenty of predictions around that, as Brady’s former team, the Patriots, are set to play against his current one, the Buccaneers.
Gambling in the USA
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on New Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL VIRGINIA in Petersburg. The milestone officially commences construction on a transformative project that will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs, and set a new standard for gaming, hotels, and entertainment in the Commonwealth. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is part of a larger $1.4 billion master plan by the partnership, scheduled to be developed in phases, that will bring a world-class mixed-use resort destination to Petersburg.
Executives from Bruce Smith Enterprise, The Cordish Companies, and Cordish Gaming were joined by Petersburg City Mayor Sam Parham and members of Petersburg City Council, Virginia State Senator Lashrecse Aird, Virginia State Delegate Kim Taylor, and many other business and community leaders at the project site in Petersburg. The development site, ideally located on Brasfield Parkway at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 just 20 miles south of Richmond, will provide easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.
“It has been a source of immense satisfaction and pride to partner in this incredible development. For far too long people have simply driven by the City of Petersburg, but today marks the beginning of a new era in which Petersburg will become a prime destination. This pivotal project will ignite tourism, create jobs, and ultimately deliver on the promise of greater opportunity and upward mobility for local families. As a champion of Petersburg and its residents, I am happily confident that this historic development will uplift, empower, and enrich this community for years to come,” said Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise.
Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is slated to open in 2027. A temporary gaming facility will open by the end of 2025 to immediately begin creating an estimated 500 new jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the City. In its first 10 years, the project is expected to generate $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region; $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City of Petersburg; $802 million in economic benefits during construction; $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening; and 7500 new jobs including 6100 during construction and 1400 new permanent jobs.
“Today marks a monumental day for The Cordish Companies as we expand our Live! brand into the Central Virginia region with the development of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. Our company is a national leader in successfully developing and managing large-scale urban revitalization projects across the country. Live! Casino & Hotel will be a transformative development that will bring a world-class gaming and entertainment experience to millions of visitors, create significant new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community that will provide a beneficial impact for generations. We look forward to making an immediate impact on the region with the construction of a temporary gaming facility that will be operational before the end of 2025, so that we can begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the City,” said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer for The Cordish Companies.
PENN Entertainment announced that its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app has launched in New Jersey. The new Hollywood Casino platform is available on Android, iOS, and desktop and can also be accessed via the ESPN BET app. Customers can login to Hollywood Casino using their ESPN BET credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms.
Ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US, Hollywood Casino offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house casino game development studio. Hollywood Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as the recently launched Devils Blackjack, an original title leveraging PENN’s partnership with the New Jersey Devils.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our dedicated, casino-first experience to customers across New Jersey. Hollywood Casino delivers a best-in-class experience with an extensive game library, seamless gameplay, and exclusive content from our in-house studio. This launch builds on the strong momentum we’ve gained since introducing our enhanced standalone app in December,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer of PENN Entertainment.
The stand-alone Hollywood Casino platform debuted in Pennsylvania last December and is also available in Michigan.
Gambling in the USA
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
Bitline, the only provider for casino chip access directly from cryptocurrency, has announced its first major collaboration in the U.S. casino market, teaming up with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts through its collaboration with Everi, a premier provider of financial technology and gaming solutions. This collaboration introduces cryptocurrency and digital assets as a new source of liquidity for casino patrons and marks the first time that such a functionality has been enabled within the American gaming industry.
Leveraging Everi’s CashClub’s comprehensive payment infrastructure, Bitline’s solution is able to efficiently board, screen and verify patrons looking to leverage their digital assets whilst also allowing patrons to move screened assets into custody within minutes. Bitline’s integration with Everi Cash Club, the leading financial access services suite for casino payments, will enable the technology for the benefit of Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, and is the first time that such a functionality has been possible in the U.S. regulated casino market.
Catering to the growing demand for greater cryptocurrency and digital asset integration within the casino industry, the collaboration between Bitline and Everi’s forms a transferable blueprint that offers casino operators and their patrons an alternative way to manage funds, access liquidity, and leverage the benefits of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
This milestone reflects a strategic shift in how casino operators view and manage financial interactions with their guests. The introduction of cryptocurrency as a liquidity solution provides additional options for guests and lays the foundation for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts as it looks to the future of gaming sector finance, setting a new standard in financial accessibility and convenience.
“Working with Choctaw Casinos & Resorts and Everi to make this a reality is a historical moment for both the casino and blockchain industries. Bitline was conceptualized to advance the gaming sector and offer a wider variety of financial options for the casino industry,” said Richard Jones, CEO at Bitline. “We’re entering an era where digital assets can fundamentally enhance the gaming experience, providing casino operators with a future-ready financial framework that can expand and evolve as the industry does. This collaboration is just the beginning of our vision to modernize casino payment capabilities on a global scale.”
Victor Newsom, SVP Product Management, Payments Solutions at Everi comments “This unique integration combines BitLine’s additional payment accessibility options with Everi’s ability to enable seamless, secure, and regulatory compliant financial transactions for casino patrons. Designed from the ground up to exceed the rigorous compliance demands of the industry as well as the discerning expectations of gaming VIPs around the world, Choctaw’s patrons are now no longer limited to the access, times, amount, and speed constraints of the legacy financial systems. This also significantly reduces risk for our casino customers, such as Choctaw.”
“We are excited to be the first casino in North America to offer our guests another way to play,” said Thomas McDonald, Senior Director of Cage and Credit at Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. “Through our long-term relationship with Everi, a leader in fintech solutions, we will continue to invest in innovative offerings that provide the discerning gaming VIP access to funds in a safe and secure manner.”
The Choctaw Casinos & Resorts integration represents only the first phase of Bitline’s broader mission to bring cryptocurrency solutions to casinos and casino patrons worldwide. As cryptocurrency and digital assets continue to gain traction in the gaming sector, Bitline’s easy to integrate and patented payment model stands poised to become a key player in transforming gaming finance. Future plans include expanding services across other major casinos and gaming markets, both domestically and internationally, establishing cryptocurrency as a new standard feature of the gaming experience.
The solution is to be formally rolled out on March 7, 2025, with the first transaction taking place at Choctaw’s Durant, Oklahoma, location.
-
Gambling in the USA7 days agoBruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on New Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia
-
Canada6 days agoGiG Launches Fourth Partner into Ontario as PowerPlay Enhances Its Gaming Experience with GiG’s Formidable Combination of Proprietary Platform, Sportsbook and AI technology
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoSOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator Expands in LATAM with Peru Certification
-
Latest News6 days ago1/ST CONTENT broadens its South American reach in new LATAM deal with America Simulcast and Sportbet
-
Latest News7 days agoAmusnet’s Global Expansion Continues with Meridianbet’s Launch in Brazil
-
Conferences6 days agoWA.Technology to accelerate operators’ Brazilian growth at SiGMA Americas
-
Latest News6 days agoFrom $400M to $1.45B: Exploring Gurhan Kiziloz’s Strategic Expansion in Online Gaming
-
partnerships4 days agoDelaware Park Converts from VizExplorer to Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Enterprise Platform