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Estelarbet, the Latin American leader in Sports Predictions, launches operations in Ecuador
Estelarbet, a Latin American leader in Sports Betting, launched its operation at the Atahualpa Stadium in Quito.
The Atahualpa Stadium in Quito was once again a meeting place, but this time we’re not talking about a Copa Libertadores final or a concert by Marc Anthony or Romeo Santos. This time, it was a Sports Betting platform that was launched and presented to the Ecuadorian audience, especially those from Quito.
In an unprecedented event, this brand, which is also present in Brazil, Peru, and Chile, held a unique showcase encounter. The match featured Club Atlético Vinotinto (the team of the renowned Luis “Pichu” Escalada) against the “All-Star Team” of Estelarbet (composed of TV personalities, influencers, and former players). Club Atlético Vinotinto emerged victorious, claiming the coveted Estelarbet Cup 2023. This event took place on Friday, August 25th, at 9:00 PM in prime time, following the Liga Pro match between Club Deportivo El Nacional and Cumbaya S.C, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The launch of Estelarbet comes in the context of the legalization of sports betting sites, with their tax regulation established by the Organic Law for the Strengthening of Family Economy, approved by the Constitutional Court on June 16 of the current year. The law introduced a 15% tax for Sports Betting companies domiciled in Ecuador, calculated based on total generated income and commissions minus paid prizes. For companies not domiciled in Ecuador, the 15% tax will be calculated on the monthly betting value. This law, which is already in effect, establishes a tax framework that will apply to these companies starting January 1, 2024.
During the event on August 25th, Estelarbet also participated in a press conference with the presence of around 12 major media outlets from the country, where we revealed some of the upcoming surprises. Estelarbet’s CEO, Sebastián Salazar, stated: “We are very excited to start our operations in the country. As you know, there are sports betting sites of all kinds, but we are a Latin American sports betting site. Our company will start hiring local staff and establishing offices here. For us as a company, Ecuador has always been a country we’ve been looking at and have had an interest in participating in. There’s a recent legislative change, and we believe that this legislative change, which introduces a 15% tax for sports betting companies, is quite positive from the perspective of fiscal revenue. We are thrilled to be able to offer an attractive and differentiated range of markets and an entertaining offering to captivate the Ecuadorian audience and also contribute to the country’s sports development.”
In line with Ecuador, other countries in the region are currently processing local regulations. Peru has already approved its regulations, Chile is currently in discussion, several provinces in Argentina have operational regulations, and Brazil has approved regulations for sports betting sites, although there’s no clarity on the effective date of their complementary rules. Colombia has had regulations since 2017, and the fiscal revenue from betting contributes to financing healthcare for Colombians through Coljuegos.
Estelarbet offers over 30,000 markets every month for a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, MMA, baseball, and many more. Their platform is available on both Android and IOS. Additionally, they highlight that they are in the process of integrating with all available payment methods in Ecuador, they have payment networks in stores, and they provide 24/7 online support.
As CEO Sebastián emphasized: “It was a magical night; Tri players were invited, but unfortunately, they had work commitments. Our prizes dazzled, we shared with clients, influencers, and company partners in an exclusive dinner. At Estelarbet, we are committed to bringing a next-level gaming and entertainment experience to Ecuador. We are filled with excitement as we commence our journey in Ecuador, positioning ourselves as the Sports Betting platform where stars play.”
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A Decade in iGaming: From Newcomer to a CMO
Wow, time flies! Can’t believe it’s been ten years since stepping into the exhilarating world of online gambling – a field that initially seemed like a short-term stint quickly turned into a new-found passion.
Moving to Malta, and eventually finding a home in Tallinn, I’ve had the privilege to watch the highs and lows as well as the many progressions and transformations. Today, I am proud to form part of the Mr. Gamble team that is ambitiously expanding into new markets, and pushing the boundaries.
From Customer Support to CMO
My journey in iGaming kicked off in Customer Support at Betsson – a leap from my telecom sales management role back in Finland. While this move puzzled my family and friends alike, it was a necessary step. Over the months and years, I worked my way up through various roles including Affiliate Coordinator, Affiliate Manager and Head of Affiliates, learning the various intricate parts of the industry, while at the same time adapting to new technological changes.
One thing is for sure, the iGaming industry is a fast-paced one, and each role has helped me to thrive and adapt to the various changes. Flexibility is key when working in this industry.
Venturing into Entrepreneurship: My Own Affiliate Business
Following many years of corporate experience, I took the leap to start up my own affiliate business with the aim of creating my own business from scratch. Handling everything from SEO and content strategy to fostering brand partnerships and growth strategies gave me an overall view of the affiliate industry’s many complexities. This entrepreneurial journey instilled insight and resilience, especially in terms of the value of the diverse skill sets found within a team.
By 2023, I joined Mr. Gamble as CMO, bringing my own entrepreneurial experience into this company’s growth strategy. Drawing on my background in SEO, content management and brand development and alongside a knowledgeable team, we have successfully strengthened Mr. Gamble’s presence in established markets, while also setting our sites on new markets.
New Markets and New Possibilities
Since the online gambling industry is continually evolving and expanding, it also brings with it a surge in growth when it comes to new and emerging markets. While we have made huge strides in launching Mr. Gambe USA, we are also eyeing promising regions in Asia, Latin America and Africa, where digital adoption and regulations are evolving creating new opportunities.
As we continue to solidify our presence in the US, these emerging markets represent the next frontier.
An Ever-Changing and Evolving Gambling Industry
Over the past decade, the online gambling industry has quickly evolved from a somewhat fragmented field to a high-powered professional space. Conferences and expos, once informal gatherings have become hubs for talent.
Events such as SiGMA, SBC, iGB, NEXT.io and Hiphter Events today celebrate the progression of iGaming, while highlighting the various advances in technology and market inclusivity.
The shift toward hybrid work in recent years has also paved the way for industry shakeups. While digital operations are convenient, the importance of face-to-face meetings and connections remains. In an industry highly reliant and built on personal relationships, meeting in person strengthens partnerships and opens doors to new opportunities.
A Bright Future for Mr. Gamble
As CMO of Mr. Gamble, I along with the team are committed to expanding our brand’s influence, not only in traditional markets, but also in new and emerging ones. iGaming is constantly evolving and our strategies must evolve too, adapting and driving on the windy road to success. This entails adapting to changes in technology, user behaviour and experience, and most importantly navigating regulatory landscapes.
Of course, Google’s frequent algorithm updates keep us our our toes, pushing us to refine our approach to stay competitive and ever more relent.
Reflecting on the last 10 years, I am energised and optimistic for the future. With a talented team and untapped markets in tow, Mr. Gamble is well-prepared for substantial growth and impact. Here is to the journey ahead and to everyone – mentors, peers, and friends who have been part of this rewarding path. The next decade holds great potential, and I look more than forward to what is yet to come.
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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SELECTS SPORTRADAR TO TRANSFORM PLAYER TALENT SCOUTING FOR ALL 30 CLUBS
Sportradar today announced a multiyear agreement with Major League Baseball (MLB) to offer unparalleled sports performance analysis of amateur baseball prospects, through its Synergy Coaching and Scouting solution, to the league and its 30 Clubs. This new partnership will revolutionize player talent scouting through Sportradar’s advanced, proprietary technology and highlights Sportradar’s commitment to delivering innovative and game-changing solutions to the league.
Under the agreement, MLB and its 30 Clubs will gain access to an unprecedented depth of player analysis and insights with event coverage expanding significantly, from 3,300 to more than 20,000 games – an over 600% increase. This includes college, international, professional partner leagues and leading amateur leagues, such as the MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League and MLB Develops events, and, for the first time, top high school events.
The Synergy Coaching and Scouting solution is uniquely positioned to address the player evaluation needs of MLB as it leverages Sportradar’s expertise ingesting and transforming millions of data points from video into detailed metrics, actionable insights and dynamic visualizations. This, combined with Sportradar’s AI-powered sports performance technology, enables Synergy to provide unparalleled, in-depth analysis of every player, play and game situation, and equips MLB and Club scouts with the information and insights they need to streamline the evaluation process, guide draft decisions and support the development of future MLB players.
“Sportradar’s cutting-edge technology, alongside our reputation as a trusted partner to leading US sports leagues, is driving the transformation of sports performance analysis,” said Eduard Blonk, Chief Commercial Officer, Sportradar. “Through Synergy we are pleased that we are expanding our relationship with MLB, equipping them with the deep data and insights they need to identify the next generation of players. We are eager to continue bringing innovative solutions to MLB.”
“We are excited to expand our relationship with Sportradar and ensure equal access to the Synergy video and data services for all 30 MLB Clubs. This platform has become a key resource for Clubs in the domestic and international scouting process and we look forward to continuing our work with Sportradar in the coming years,” said John D’Angelo, MLB’s Sr. Vice President of Amateur and Medical Operations.
Financial reports
Commercial Gaming Revenue Growth Continues in Q3 2024, Driving Industry’s 15th Consecutive Quarter of Growth
U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached $17.71 billion in Q3 2024, the industry’s highest-grossing Q3 on record, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. This makes Q3 2024 the industry’s 15th consecutive quarter of annual revenue growth, with September marking the 43rd straight month of rising year-over-year commercial gaming revenue.
Through the first nine months of the year, nationwide commercial gaming revenue stands at $53.24 billion, pacing 8.0 percent ahead of 2023 and putting the industry on track for a fourth straight record revenue year.
In Q3 2024, 29 of the 35 commercial gaming jurisdictions operational last year saw increased year-over-year revenue. This growth resulted in an 8.9 percent year-over-year increase in state and local taxes tied directly to gaming revenue, with commercial gaming operators contributing $3.79 billion in taxes across the quarter.
Quarterly revenue from land-based gaming – encompassing casino slots, table games and retail sports betting – totaled $12.56 billion, 0.62 percent lower than Q3 2023. Meanwhile, combined revenue from online sports betting and iGaming totaled $5.14 billion in Q3 2024 as online gaming made up 29.0 percent of commercial gaming revenue, a significantly higher share than in Q3 2023.
Looking at each sector in Q3 2024:
- Traditional Gaming: Traditional brick-and-mortar casino gaming generated quarterly revenue of $12.38 billion, a contraction of 0.9 percent year-over-year.
- Legal Sports Betting: Americans legally wagered $30.3 billion on sports, generating $3.24 billion in quarterly revenue (+42.4% YoY). Recent market launches in Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina and Vermont contributed to this growth.
- iGaming: iGaming generated $2.08 billion in revenue, marking a 30.3 percent year-over-year increase.
“Q3 2024 continued gaming’s momentum from the first half of the year, with online casino and sports betting driving strong growth. At the same time, new brick-and-mortar casino openings bolstered traditional gaming, which still accounts for the bulk of industry revenue,” said AGA Vice President of Research David Forman. “More than a quarter of commercial revenue now regularly comes from online sources, raising the importance of continued sustainable growth with consumers in those states.”
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