Press Releases
PlayColorado.com: Innovation pays off with $1.2 billion first year for state’s sportsbooks
Colorado sportsbooks closed 2020 with yet another record month that made the Centennial State the sixth to surpass $1 billion in wagers for a year, a significant accomplishment considering the industry launched in May with no major U.S. sports in action, according to PlayColorado, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“Colorado’s launch in the heart of a pandemic has, perhaps inadvertently, spawned what could be the most innovative market in the country,” said Ian St. Clair, analyst for PlayColorado.com. “It’s not just that table tennis remains a popular draw in the state, even months after the return of major U.S. sports. It’s also the way operators are using unique betting markets to help connect with customers. The unusual recipe has unquestionably been a success.”
Colorado’s online and retail sportsbooks tallied their eighth consecutive month of record wagering with $284.6 million in December, according to data released Monday by the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Gaming. That was up 23.1% from the previous record of $231.2 million set in November.
Gross gaming revenue fell just short of a state record in December, hitting $17.2 million. That was down from the high of $18.4 million in gross gaming revenue set in November. Meanwhile, net sports betting proceeds fell to $5.7 million, down from $9 million in November. Sports betting produced $531,490 in state taxes in December.
For all of 2020, Colorado’s retail and online sportsbooks produced:
- $1.2 billion in wagers, of which $1.17 billion were made online
- $75.8 million in gross gaming revenue.
- $28.3 million in net betting proceeds
- $3 million in state taxes, including $2.2 million in the last three months.
“After a slow start as sportsbooks ramped up, the last three months prove that sports betting will be a reliable revenue generator for the state,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayColorado.com. “Revenue ebbs and flows in every sports betting market, typically peaking at the height of the football season. In that way, Colorado’s pattern is on par with what we see most everywhere in the U.S.”
With heavy action in December on pro football ($88.2 million), pro basketball ($42.9 million), and college basketball ($35.2 million), Colorado will likely place sixth in the U.S., behind only New Jersey, presumably Nevada and Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
But the Centennial State did not take a conventional route to become one of the largest U.S. markets. Table tennis has generated $63.5 million in bets this year, including $11 million in December. Only football, baseball and basketball have generated more.
And sportsbooks have been creative in drumming up interest. FanDuel offered a promotion in December in which it shifted the line 1 point in the University of Colorado’s favor for every 500 fans who placed a bet on the Buffaloes. And sportsbooks have increasingly offered unique proposition bets, like where star quarterback Deshaun Watson could eventually land.
“Colorado’s books are offering bets that are simply not available in other states,” Welman said. “There are myriad reasons why, but one of them is that table tennis has been so lucrative that state regulators and sportsbooks themselves have been inspired to take chances on more unconventional offerings.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Colorado, visit PlayColorado.com/revenue.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayColorado.com, PlayIndiana.com, and PlayNJ.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
Gaming
Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform
Fourth Star, the cutting-edge virtual reality immersive media streaming platform, is officially available to the public. This innovative platform transforms traditional entertainment by enabling users to seamlessly watch standard 2D, 180 and 360 immersive media content and movies. Fourth Star redefines how audiences engage with immersive storytelling, offering an unparalleled first-person centric perspective on entertainment.
“Fourth Star is more than just a platform – it’s a revolution in entertainment,” said Greg Simon, Co-Founder & CEO of Fourth Star. “We’ve created an immersive experience where users can not only consume content but also actively participate in it. Our vision is to transform how people experience media content and movies in a way that has never been done before.”
A New Era of Interactive Entertainment
The largest immersive media streaming platform available on Sidequest, users can explore nearly forty unique environments, interact with AI-driven crew, and experience entertainment in an entirely new way. Fourth Star offers a groundbreaking approach to digital engagement, whether socializing in the Cafe, customizing avatars in private Apartments or Ships, or stepping directly into a movie’s storyline.
“The combination of VR, AI, and blockchain in Fourth Star sets a new standard for immersive entertainment,” said Craig Wiltshire, CTO of Fourth Star. “Our vision is to seamlessly integrate all three technologies into the user experience. We are redefining the entertainment experience from passive observation to active creation.”
Built for Content Partners
Fourth Star is a self-serve platform designed for content partners of all sizes, from individual creators to blockbuster studios. Content partners can set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing their work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. The Creator Portal empowers partners to distribute and profit from their immersive media with ease, making Fourth Star a truly open and accessible metaverse for digital entertainment.
Key Features of Fourth Star
- VR Streaming Platform – Users can access nearly forty environments and own their own luxury apartments and ships all equipped with an immersive media streaming entertainment hub.
- Social & Customization – Connect with others in dynamic social hubs, personalize your avatar, and invite your friends to your own luxury apartment and ship.
- Player Portal – Users can access the web-based marketplace to explore content, invite friends,
- Creator Portal – Set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing your work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience.
- Blockchain Integration – The FSTR token, built on the Polygon blockchain, powers the ecosystem, providing secure transactions and exclusive rewards.
- AI-Powered Companions – Coming soon
FSTR: The Utility Token Powering Fourth Star
FSTR serves as the primary ecosystem currency within the Fourth Star platform, enabling users to purchase Apartments, Ships, AI Companions, and exclusive content. Token holders benefit from:
- VIP Access – Exclusive events, early screenings, and red carpet experiences.
- Discounts – 25% savings on in-app purchases (IAPs) and entertainment content.
A New Paradigm in Entertainment
Fourth Star is designed to deliver the future of entertainment through merging cinematic storytelling with interactive gaming, offering:
- A seamless transition from passive to interactive experiences.
- A thriving community for players, creators, and investors.
- Advanced AI integration for interactive AI characters.
- Don’t just watch the star in the movie, become the star.
Availability and Access
Fourth Star is now live and available for users worldwide on Sidequest. Whether you’re an explorer, content creator large to small, storyteller, or entertainment enthusiast, Fourth Star provides an immersive space to experience digital entertainment like never before.
Latest News
Vibra Group Completes the Acquisition of TSA
Vibra Group, the ‘go-to’ content and platform developer for the LatAm region, has acquired TSA, a Brazil-based technology company and one of its longest standing development partners.
The acquisition will further strengthen the award-winning company and accelerate its growth plans with 55 specialist platform development experts based in Northern Brazil.
TSA and Vibra Group have been long-term partners with TSA contributing significantly to Vibra’s technological growth. TSA, which operates under the ServiceNet brand name, also has existing contracts with several Brazilian lotteries including Loteria do Tocantins, Loteria do Maranhao, Loteria de Sergipe and Loteria da Paraíba.
The integration of TSA’s expert teams will immediately enhance Vibra’s platform development roadmap with additional resources dedicated to the Vibra Solutions business unit and will consolidate the Vibra Group’s structure across the LatAm region. The LatAm-based team is focused on game studios, Remote Gaming Server (RGS), and Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM). The Brazil-based team specialising in Player Account Management (PAM) and sportsbook solutions.
Vibra’s product strategy is to service every client need delivering a complete solution on three core areas: sportsbook and casino platform with multiple levels of customization and flexibility; content aggregation platform including proprietary titles and third party games from the main brands in the industry; and a state-of-the-art EGM platform allowing operators to distribute products and content through VLT / retail terminals. The group’s 3 business divisions: Vibra Gaming, Vibra Solutions and Vibra VLT / Retail.
Ramiro Atucha, CEO, Vibra Group, said: “We’re delighted to close the acquisition of TSA and welcome the team to the Vibra family. TSA are one of our closest and most trusted partners with whom we’ve closely collaborated across several significant projects as well as ongoing development work, therefore joining forces makes perfect strategic sense.
“Our expansion and first M&A deal follows significant customer demand and growth across the LatAm region in the last 12 to 18 months so the timing is ideal. We’re very excited to have the TSA team join us as we continue our journey.”
Werter Luna, CEO, TSA, said: “We’re thrilled with the outcome of joining Ramiro and the Vibra team after having worked together for so long. The synergies were very clear and both companies know we are stronger together. The future is very bright and we’re ready to go on the ambitious plans we have to significantly grow our business.”
Conferences
BETBY TO SHOWCASE INNOVATIVE SPORTSBOOK SOLUTION IN BRAZIL TOUR DE FORCE
BETBY, the innovative sports betting supplier, has announced its participation in two of the most prominent industry events in Latin America: SBC Rio and SiGMA Americas. Both exhibitions are set to take place in Brazil, where BETBY will showcase its cutting-edge sportsbook solution and strengthen its presence in the region.
During both expos, which provide an exceptional opportunity to connect with local partners, global stakeholders, and prospective clients, BETBY will present its unique sportsbook technology and its extensive range of products. This includes the provider’s proprietary esports feed, BETBY Games, and its comprehensive suite of AI sportsbook tools, AI Labs. Among BETBY’s latest features is its industry-first AI-powered feed, enabling the creation of odds for entertainment markets. Further product launches are anticipated ahead of the events.
Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at BETBY, commented: “SBC Rio and SiGMA Americas represent two significant opportunities for us to showcase our unique sportsbook solution and engage with industry leaders from across Latin America. Brazil is a key region for us, and with exciting developments in our roadmap, we are eager to connect with partners, discuss innovations, and explore new collaborations.”
He further added: “These events are the perfect platform for BETBY to demonstrate our commitment to delivering forward-thinking, high-performance products to the market, and we look forward to the energy and networking opportunities they will bring.”
At SBC Rio, hosted in Rio de Janeiro from February 25th to 27th, BETBY’s team will welcome delegates at Stand B730 whilst in SiGMA Americas, held in São Paulo from April 7th to 10th, visitors can find the supplier’s team of sportsbook experts at Stand G140.
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