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Mobile Sports Bettors Show Greater Resilience and Sensitivity to Economic Headwinds
In the midst of rising inflation and its impact on consumer personal savings rates, TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) conducted new research examining the financial status and behaviors of consumers who engage in mobile sports betting. The research found that more than half (54%) of mobile sports bettors earn high incomes—earning $100,000 or more—yet many are concerned about inflation and its impact on their ability to keep making credit payments in the future.
While the vast majority of mobile sports bettors appeared to be in good financial standing based on their incomes and savings, a higher percentage indicated they have trouble paying bills and are using short-term credit services, like payday loans compared to the total population. The research was conducted via an online survey of 2,739 adults in May 2022. A full report of the findings is available in the new “Consumer Pulse Online Sports Betting Study.”
“At face value, most of the consumers engaging in mobile sports betting can likely afford to do so,” said Declan Raines, head of U.S. Gaming at TransUnion. “At the same time, our findings demonstrate how important it is, especially during a time of economic uncertainty, that operators utilize comprehensive data to identify both resilient and distressed consumers. Doing so can help operators protect players and provide a safer experience to consumers engaged in regulated betting.”
Mobile sports bettors are well funded, mostly optimistic
One key trend derived from the report: mobile sports bettors are seeing increased incomes and are generally more optimistic than most consumers.
Mobile Sports Bettors More Optimistic About their Finances
| Total Population | Mobile Sports Bettors | |
| Income Increased Last Three Months | 32% | 67% |
| Expect Income to Increase Next Three Months | 45% | 71% |
| Optimistic About Household Finances Over Next 12 Months | 58% | 83% |
Mobile sports bettors are also more likely to be employed, with 89% currently employed vs. 81% of the total population. In addition, 22% of mobile sports bettors indicated they had changed jobs for higher compensation in the last three months, compared to 7% of the wider population.
Despite strong financial performance and general optimism, mobile sports bettors expressed concern over inflation and more are taking action to protect themselves financially to mitigate the costs. TransUnion’s analysis found mobile sports bettors are saving more money in emergency funds and paying down debt faster than the total population. In addition, they also increased their use of available credit and used retirement savings at higher rates than the total population.
The research also identified a positive correlation between consumer liquidity and the gambling industry’s performance at both the macro and state level. Given this established relationship, the current financial hedging behavior exhibited by mobile sports bettors could likely indicate a slowdown in the near future for the sports betting industry.
“Consumer liquidity was a critical component of this research,” said Raines. “Tracking it and its relationship to the industry’s performance can help operators understand how wider economic factors can impact share of wallet, lifetime player value and responsible gaming risk.”
More trouble paying bills
Another indicator of decreasing consumer liquidity is that 79% of mobile sports bettors were concerned about their ability to pay current bills and loans in full, compared to 52% of the total population. In addition, mobile sports bettors are using payday lending services at higher rates than the total population.
The report highlights the challenges operators face in identifying resilient or distressed consumers. Operators who rely solely on their first-party data are limiting their view of a player without the complete picture. Those who use more data sources are able to better monitor player stability and assess risky behavior leading to appropriate interventions, like cooling off periods, to help ensure sustainable play. Operators are at a significant advantage for enhancing responsible gaming practices when they leverage third-party data as is common in other global markets like the U.K.
“The obvious benefit of a robust responsible gaming strategy is helping to keep players out of financial trouble, improving brand loyalty and ensuring sustainable revenue,” said Raines. “Beyond that, it also demonstrates proactive efforts that improve public sentiment toward the industry overall, which is necessary if the market wants to see increased support for state access across sportsbook and online casino products.”
Impact on credit health
Mobile sports bettors, especially those concerned about paying bills in full or who have bills already past due, should be mindful of their credit health. “Payment history and credit utilization rate, a measure of how much of available credit someone is using compared to their total credit limit, are two of the major credit scoring factors,” said Margaret Poe, head of consumer credit education at TransUnion. “Missing payments and running up credit balances can have a severe, negative impact on a consumer’s credit score.”
Many mobile sports betting websites and apps allow deposits using credit cards, a high-interest form of revolving credit, so it’s imperative for sports bettors to understand how to gamble responsibly and practice healthy credit habits to ensure their financial well-being is not negatively impacted.
For more information about the research, read the “Consumer Pulse Online Sports Betting Study.”
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This online survey of 2,739 adults was conducted May 12–19, 2022 by TransUnion in partnership with third-party research provider, Dynata. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were surveyed using an online research panel method across a combination of desktop, mobile and tablet devices. Survey questions were administered in English. All states are represented in the study survey responses. To ensure general population sample representativeness across United States resident demographics, the survey included quotas to balance responses to the census statistics on the dimensions of age, gender, household income, race and region. Generations are defined as follows: Gen Z, born 1995–2004; Millennials, born 1980–1994; Gen X, born 1965–1979; and Baby Boomers, born 1944–1964. These research results are unweighted and statistically significant at a 95% confidence level within ±1.87 percentage points based on calculated error margin.
Amusnet, a leading international provider of all-casino solutions, has announced its participation in the third edition of SiGMA Americas, taking place from April 8 to 10 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, Brazil. With over 18,000 delegates expected, the event stands as one of the region’s most important gatherings for the gaming industry. Brazil plays a pivotal role in the global gaming landscape and is a central focus in Amusnet’s expansion strategy. In line with this commitment, the company will showcase its latest products and actively contribute to the event.
“SiGMA Americas is a key moment for us to reinforce our long-term commitment to Brazil. With over 180 games already certified for the newly regulated sector, we are fully prepared to support our partners and deliver top-notch products and entertainment to local players. At the event, we will showcase a strong mix of top-performing and exciting new releases set to differentiate in the dynamic and rapidly growing region,” said Georgi Izov, Head of Business Development LATAM at Amusnet.
As part of the official agenda at SiGMA Americas, Marco Pequeno, Amusnet’s Country Manager for Brazil, will join the discussion panel “Excitement in Real Time: How Live Games Transform the Gaming Experience.” His participation underscores Amusnet’s strategic focus on Brazil’s evolving gaming landscape and the company’s commitment to driving meaningful conversations around the future of the industry in regulated markets.
Among the player-favorite titles to be showcased is the video slot 20 Golden Coins. Visitors can explore the vibrant cascade slot Candy Palace, bursting with colorful visuals and additional features, along with Hot Deco, a stylish fusion of classic fruit slot aesthetics, smooth graphics, and a captivating soundtrack.
Amusnet will showcase top-performing Live Casino titles, including Dynamic Roulette 120x, and three next-generation Virtual Roulette games: Virtual Monaco Roulette 72x, Virtual Space Roulette 120x, and Virtual Vegas Roulette 500x. They offer thrilling gameplay, excellent-quality graphics, captivating themes and soundtracks. Inspired by iconic casino destinations, they feature additional multipliers of up to x500 and have gained significant recognition in many European markets.
Join the Amusnet team at Stand L145 to explore its latest gaming offerings, experience high-quality entertainment, and discover partnership opportunities in Brazil’s fast-evolving gaming market.
White Hat Gaming has entered into a multi-year partnership with Wisconsin’s Potawatomi Casino Hotel – one of the largest casino operators in the Midwest.
Under the agreement, White Hat Gaming will deliver its world-class PAM platform to support mobile sports betting and Class II slot wagering for patrons located on tribal land in Milwaukee and Carter Wisconsin. This partnership underscores White Hat’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, compliant gaming solutions tailored to the unique needs of tribal operators.
White Hat Gaming’s pioneering platform technology – already live in multiple U.S. states and Ontario, Canada – will power Potawatomi transition into mobile wagering, enabling the tribe to deliver a seamless, best in-class player experience.
Potawatomi Casino Hotel selected the White Hat platform for its robust in-house cashier, which offers a wide range of payment options through multiple integrated gateways. The platform’s real-time risk monitoring capabilities help identify and manage potential issues instantly, while its award-winning Traveling Wallet technology provides multijurisdictional flexibility within a single player account. Additionally, Potawatomi recognized White Hat’s early leadership in the emerging Class II mobile slots sector – a promising and potentially transformative sector for the tribal wagering industry.
White Hat’s PAM platform stands as the most widely distributed independent solution in the U.S., and its latest partnership with Potawatomi Casino Hotel underscores the company’s commitment to supporting the tribal gaming sector. By delivering advanced technology and operational tools, White Hat empowers tribal operators to optimize performance, enhance player experiences, and maintain long-term adaptability in a fast-evolving market.
Max Wright, Founder at White Hat Gaming, said: “We remain focused on expanding our presence in North America, continuously evolving and enhancing our PAM solution to empower iGaming operators with the technology needed to elevate the player experience and drive operational efficiency. This collaboration further demonstrates our commitment to delivering a cutting-edge platform that combines flexibility and speed to market. We’re confident that Potawatomi’s mobile presence will significantly benefit from our proprietary cashier, expert compliance and regulatory support, and Traveling Wallet technology.”
Dominic Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer of Potawatomi Casino Hotel, said: “We continually seek strategic opportunities to strengthen our market position, and our partnership with White Hat Gaming represents a key step forward as we enter a new era of mobile on premise gaming. By integrating White Hat’s PAM solution, we are enhancing our digital capabilities with industry-leading expertise and providing a best in class experience for our guests.”
BETBY, an industry-leading sports betting provider, has announced a long-term partnership with Calímaco, a premium B2B sportsbook supplier with a strong foothold across Latin America. This collaboration aligns with BETBY’s expansion strategy in the LATAM market, reinforcing its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art sportsbook solutions in the region.
As part of the agreement, Calímaco will integrate BETBY’s award-winning sportsbook solution, including its proprietary esports feed BETBY Games, and comprehensive trading and risk management services. Additionally, by leveraging BETBY’s AI-driven technology, AI Labs, Calímaco’s partners will gain access to an unparalleled betting experience tailored to the needs of the LATAM market.
Known for its scalable and robust casino and lottery platform, Calímaco will significantly enhance its offering with an additional 300,000+ events, 8,000+ markets, 125+ sports, and 35+ esports provided by BETBY, cementing its position as a go-to supplier in the region’s competitive iGaming landscape.
Stefanos Karakidis, Head of Business Development at BETBY, commented: “We are excited to partner with Calímaco, a company that shares our vision for technological excellence and operator-focused innovation. Integrating our complete sportsbook solution into Calímaco’s platform will enable brands across LATAM to elevate their sports betting offerings and provide their users with an exceptional experience.”
Alejandro Serrano, Head of Business Development at Calímaco, added: “BETBY’s sportsbook technology is renowned for its flexibility, scalability, reliability, and comprehensive coverage. Incorporating their award-winning solution into our platform will empower our partners with world-class sports betting capabilities, further strengthening our presence in the Latin American market.”
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