Press Releases
ILLINOIS SPORTSBOOKS HIT $140 MILLION IN AUGUST DESPITE OBSTACLES Overcoming inconsistent remote registration and limited sportsbook options, Illinois now the fifth-largest legal market in the U.S., according to PlayIllinois
Illinois online and retail sportsbooks attracted $140.1 million in bets in August, making the state the fifth-largest legal market in the U.S. The state’s rapid ascension comes even as in-person registration rules remain inconsistent and tenuous, and without the largest operator in the country for much of the month, according to PlayIllinois analysts.
“August’s results are a testament to just how lucrative a market Illinois truly can be,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “In-person registration was stunting growth, and that ended on Aug. 21. And FanDuel did not launch until the end of the month. Even with that, Illinois found itself ahead of Colorado, which has matured much more quickly, and on the heels of Indiana, the country’s fourth-largest market.”
The $140.1 million wagered in August was up 167% from $52.5 million in July, according to official reporting released Tuesday. That is more than Colorado’s $128.6 million in August, but less than neighboring Indiana’s $169 million.
August’s bets produced $7.2 million in adjusted gross revenue statewide, which yielded $1.2 million in taxes.
Without football, Illinois’ strong August performance came almost entirely on the power of the Major League Baseball, NBA, and NHL games. It was helped by remote registration — which allows bettors to sign up for an account without ever physically appearing at a state sportsbook — for the last 10 days of the month.
“The NFL will generate far more interest, and with mobile registration back for all of September, the pool of bettors will certainly grow significantly,” Gouker said. “August is really just a first taste of what Illinois can do as a market.”
BetRivers/Rivers Casino in Des Plaines — which had a significant head start on its competition — was by far the state’s largest revenue producer. BetRivers/Rivers Casino accepted a whopping $118 million in online and retail bets, yielding $6.3 million in adjusted gross revenue.
DraftKings — the nation’s No. 2 online sportsbook, operating under the Casino Queen license in Illinois — drew in $13.1 million in online bets. Rival FanDuel — the nation’s No. 1, which is partnering with Par-A-Dice Casino — attracted $4.2 million in bets after launching Aug. 28.
“BetRivers’ head start is a massive advantage that both FanDuel and DraftKings will have to try to overcome,” Gouker said. “But they are the two largest operators for numerous reasons, and it will be interesting to watch how long it will take for those two to eat into BetRivers’ market lead.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Illinois, visit PlayIllinois.com/news.
Conferences
Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference
In a packed room at the prestigious ICR 2025 Conference held in Orlando, FL, Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, captivated the audience of elite investors with GMGI’s remarkable growth story and series of strategic market entries that position the company for significant value creation in 2025 and beyond. The company also led the conference with the highest number of one-on-one investor meetings, signaling strong interest in its growth trajectory.
The world-class event, also known as the financial market Super Bowl, is recognized as the planet’s premier small and medium-cap conference for US listed companies. It brought together over 3,000 attendees, including institutional investors, sell-side analysts, investment bankers, and private equity professionals.
This builds on the success at the 2024 Citi Global TMT Conference, when the company shared insights alongside industry giants like DraftKings, FanDuel, and IBM.
61% Year-Over-Year Growth Positions GMGI as Gaming Industry Leader
The world’s elite investment audience found out a compelling history of growth: GMGI’s preliminary FY 2024 revenue surged 61% year-over-year to $150 million, with pro forma consolidated revenue reaching $163 million.
This exceptional growth trajectory, driven by strategic market expansions and technological innovation, showcases GMGI’s emerging dominance in the global gaming landscape.
Brazil: A Game-Changing Market Entry
In what could prove to be a transformative catalyst, Meridianbet secured a coveted federal license in Brazil – a market projected to reach $2.5-4 billion annually. With instant access to over 100 million potential customers across all 26 states, this strategic move positions GMGI to capture substantial market share in one of the world’s most lucrative gaming opportunities.
North American Expansion Accelerates
The Group’s momentum in North America exemplifies its multi-market growth strategy:
- Strategic entry into the rapidly expanding U.S. sweepstakes gaming market, leveraging proprietary content from Expanse Studios
- Pending gaming license in Ontario, Canada’s largest regulated market
- Deployment of AI-driven gaming solutions to maximize player engagement and retention
GMGI’s Unified Ecosystem: A Competitive Moat
Meridianbet CEO showcased how the Group’s six synergistic companies create a formidable competitive advantage, presenting to investors a unique ecosystem:
- Meridianbet’s presence in 18 regulated jurisdictions, powered by 1,200+ employees including 100 software engineers
- Expanse Studios’ proprietary game development driving high-margin revenue lowering the reliance on third-party content
- Strategic assets across key growth markets: Mexplay in South America, Rkings in the UK, and Classics for a Cause in Australia
2025: Multiple Growth Catalysts Ahead
The confluence of strategic initiatives positions GMGI for accelerated growth:
- Brazil market ramp-up expected to drive substantial revenue expansion
- Proprietary AI technology deployment enhancing player monetization
- First-mover advantages in newly regulated markets
- Continued margin expansion through operational efficiencies
For investors seeking exposure to the explosive growth in global gaming, GMGI represents a unique opportunity: a proven operator with proprietary technology, multiple growth vectors, and strategic positioning in the world’s most promising gaming markets.
Latest News
GAN Selects Internet Vikings’ Hosting Solutions in Arkansas
Internet Vikings, a licensed in-state hosting provider for iGaming and online sports betting, announces the extension of its relationship with GAN Sports®, a supplier of industry-leading casino content, into Arkansas.
Following a successful multi-state collaboration initiated in 2022, Internet Vikings continues to support GAN by delivering hosting services tailored to their operational needs. Internet Vikings is continuing to grow across the United States, as Arkansas becomes the latest state to benefit from their hosting services.
GAN, a B2B supplier of internet gambling software-as-a-service solutions, initially entered into an agreement with Internet Vikings in a landmark deal covering 15 states. Since then, the relationship has grown stronger, with GAN relying on Internet Vikings’ bare metal server solutions to support their large-scale U.S. operations.
This expansion into Arkansas follows a recent deployment in Nevada, where Internet Vikings also provides hosting solutions to GAN. As GAN continues to operate across regulated U.S. markets, Internet Vikings remains a dependable resource, and has demonstrated its reliability to support long-term growth.
Rickard Vikström, CEO and Founder of Internet Vikings, shared his thoughts, “Our relationship with GAN reflects the trust we’ve built over the years. It’s not just about providing hosting solutions; it’s about understanding their vision and exceeding their expectations.”
Latest News
ICE Barcelona 2025: Alona Shevtsova on Sends’ Vision for the Future of Gaming
The Sends team attended the biggest and most famous gaming conference, ICE, now held in Barcelona, Spain. From the 20th to the 23rd of January, the leading gaming companies and solution providers gather for business meetings, experience sharing and networking. More than 170 countries visited, achieving the number of 55,000 visitors.
“Our team attends the ICE conference annually. Previously held in London, the financial capital and home to our head office, 2025 is the first time it’s hosted in Barcelona—and it remains as expansive and resourceful as ever. We’re thrilled to participate, connect with our partners, explore innovative solutions, and engage with market leaders. At Sends, we are committed to staying ahead in this dynamic industry, never missing an opportunity to gain fresh insights and experiences,” commented Alona Shevtsova, Director at Sends.
As the organisers of ICE 2025 said, after a rigorous, independent selection process, ICE and iGB Affiliate moved to Fira Barcelona Gran Via because Barcelona presents a compelling list of benefits, including improved logistics and operational efficiency. The location is close to Barcelona airport and is well connected to the public transport network, offering a world-class in-show and around-show experience.
It is worth mentioning that this February, Send will co-host its event in London for fintech companies. This is the third gathering in London to network and connect industry professionals. To get more information about the London Fintech Meetup, follow the link.
To get more details, keep in touch with Sends on social media: LinkedIn and Instagram.
-
Latest News6 days ago
Plaza Hotel & Casino offering free stalls to temporarily rehome horses affected by the California wildfires
-
Affiliate Industry6 days ago
MetaBet inks Gentoo Media partnership to enhance flagship sites
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
INCENTIVE GAMES RECEIVES FULL PAY-TO-PLAY GAMING CERTIFICATION IN BRAZIL
-
Latest News6 days ago
INSPIRED TO LAUNCH 16 SLOT GAMES IN BRAZIL, IGNITING THE iGAMING MARKET IN JANUARY 2025
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
FBMDS obtains certification to operate in Brazil
-
Latest News6 days ago
PENN Entertainment Announces Partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment for Market Access in Washington, D.C.
-
Compliance Updates2 days ago
Digitain Group Products are Certified for Brazil
-
Latest News6 days ago
EveryMatrix content live in West Virginia with tier-1 brands