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PlayIndiana.com: March Madness propels Indiana sportsbooks to second-best month ever

Published

4 years ago

April 13, 2021

PlayColorado.com: Sportsbooks reach $300 million in March to become sixth state to reach $2 billion in lifetime betting

Indiana’s sportsbooks reversed their February dip, using a completely home-grown NCAA Tournament to push monthly betting volume past the $300 million mark, according to PlayIndiana, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.

“We expect to see high volume across most legal U.S. markets in March, but Indiana’s circumstances were unique with March Madness played entirely in Indiana,” said Jessica Welman, lead analyst at PlayIndiana. “It’s hard to know just how much it moved the needle, but March’s results were clearly fueled by a huge volume of NCAA Tournament games all in one place and by a number of fans who traveled to Indiana and then bet legally as they attended games. We may never see a betting event quite like that ever again.”

Indiana sportsbooks brought in $316.7 million in wagers in March, according to official reporting released Monday. That is the second-most for a month in Indiana and up 15.6% from $273.9 million in February. Only January’s record of $348.2 million topped March’s results, pushing Indiana’s lifetime handle to $3.1 billion since launch.

Sportsbooks generated $26.4 million in revenue, a 55.4% increase from $17 million in February, and only topped by the record $29.3 million set in January. March’s revenue yielded $2.5 million in state taxes.

Year-over-year, March’s handle was up 323.3% from $74.8 million in March 2020, a month marred by the pandemic-related shutdown of major U.S. sports, including the NCAA Tournament. Revenue rose 379.5% year-over-year from $5.5 million in March 2020.

“What a difference a year makes, even if comparing this year to last year is apples and oranges,” said Nicole Russo, analyst for PlayIndiana. “Beyond the shutdowns, so much has changed in Indiana’s landscape. Yet, the state continues to fare well in large part because its regulatory framework has been fair and unlike its neighbors in Illinois, consistent. That has created a resilient state industry able to withstand increased competition from neighboring states and a brutal pandemic.”

Online betting accounted for 88.1%, or $279.2 million, of the state’s handle, a modest decrease from 88.4% in February. $160.6 million of March’s bets were on basketball, a dramatic increase from $127.2 million in February as March Madness gripped the attention of bettors. That came even as Purdue, the lone Indiana representative in the NCAA Tournament among the state’s 10 Division I men’s programs, was knocked out in the first round.

“For a basketball-crazy state like Indiana, a dearth of local teams could have really lowered the state’s handle,” Welman said. “But it appears that the proximity of the tournament made up for a lack of Indiana representation.”

DraftKings/Ameristar Casino led the state’s operators with $111.2 million in online bets, up from $107.4 million in February and accounting for 39.8% of the state’s online handle. The month produced $8.5 million in receipts, up from $3.7 million in January. FanDuel/Blue Chip Casino was second with $92.4 million in bets, up from $70.9 million in February. That produced $6.8 million in receipts, up from $5 million.

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The leaders were followed by:

BetMGM/Belterra ($39.4 million handle, up from $33 million in January; $3.6 million win, up from $2.2 million).
PointsBet/Hollywood Lawrenceburg ($13.1 million handle, up from $11.3 million; $1.7 million win, up from $1.3 million)
William Hill/Tropicana Evansville ($9.5 million handle, up from $5.6 million; $879,577 win, up from $584,406)
BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($9.2 million handle, up from $7.5 million; $829,034 win, up from $490,139)
TheScore/Ameristar ($3 million handle, up from $2.7 million; $263,111 win, up from $180,674)
Unibet/Horseshoe Hammond ($2.1 million handle, up from $1.8 million; $139,283 win, up from $70,125)
Caesars/Horseshoe Hammond ($229,488 handle, down from $667,360; $1,392 win, up from -$20,062)
BetAmerica/Rising Star Casino ($76,686 handle, down from $100,555; $1,191 win, down from $3,328)

$37.5 million in bets were placed at retail sportsbooks In March, up from $32.9 million in February. Hollywood Lawrenceburg, nearest Cincinnati, led the retail market with $10.8 million in wagers. Ameristar East Chicago was second with $6.2 million.

Operators in Indiana may also receive a boost from Illinois, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker reinstated in-person registration for that state’s online sportsbooks. That decision could make traveling across the border from the Chicago area more appealing, at least for some.

“Indiana has always been a market that has capitalized on large markets just across its borders,” Russo said. “Illinois’ decision could modestly move the needle, especially for the Chicago-area casinos that have always counted on out-of-state bettors as a significant portion of their customer base.”

For more revenue information on Indiana sportsbooks, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.

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Live-dealer specialist Ezugi to provide immersive casino experiences to SkillOnNet’s Brazilian platforms

Published

3 hours ago

August 12, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet has announced the expansion of its successful partnership with live-dealer gaming solutions specialist Ezugi into the regulated markets of Brazil.

The move builds on a strong existing relationship between the two companies and highlights their commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences across Latin America.

Players at SkillOnNet’s Brazilian platforms, such as PlayUzu.bet.br and BacanaPlay.bet.br, now have access to Ezugi’s high-quality live casino games, including roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.

Part of the Evolution Network, Ezugi has established cutting-edge studio environments in Latin America to provide localised games with localised limits and Spanish-speaking dealers for an unbeatable live casino experience.

Meanwhile, SkillOnNet has been making a splash in Latin America through its PlayUZU and BacanaPlay brands. After launching PlayUZU in Brazil this year, the casino has quickly become a household name in the market, thanks to big-budget TV and marketing campaigns. PlayUZU promotes a “fairer” online casino experience, offering bonuses with no playthrough requirements.

Jani Kontturi at SkillOnNet said: “Ezugi has proven itself to be a standout partner with an exceptional product, and we’re excited to deepen our collaboration. Latin America is a key growth region for us, and we’re committed to offering our players the very best in live casino entertainment.”

Gilad Ben-Ami at Ezugi said: “With SkillOnNet, we share a vision of delivering localized, high-quality live casino content, and together we can offer a compelling product that meets the expectations of Latin American players.”

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Century Casinos, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

Published

5 hours ago

August 12, 2025

George Miller

Century Casinos, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2025 Results

Century Casinos, Inc. announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025.

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights*

Compared to the three months ended June 30, 2024:

Net operating revenue was $150.8 million, an increase of 3%.
Earnings from operations was $16.6 million, an increase of 16%.
Net loss attributable to Century Casinos, Inc. shareholders was ($12.3) million, a decrease in net loss of 70%, and basic net loss per share was ($0.40).
Adjusted EBITDAR** was $30.3 million, an increase of 10%.

“We are proud of the strength and momentum we have built across our portfolio, which has shown solid year over year growth and generated positive cash flow in the quarter. Following various inquiries from third parties about potential asset sales and strategic partnerships, we have initiated a strategic review process as part of our ongoing commitment to driving long-term value creation and optimizing our portfolio of assets and operations,” Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Century Casinos remarked.

UPDATES

Sports Betting – Missouri – In May 2025, the Company announced that it has partnered with BetMGM to operate an online and mobile sports betting application under the Company’s license in Missouri. The agreement includes a percentage of net gaming revenue payable to the Company, with a guaranteed minimum, as well as retail sportsbook options to be exercised at the Company’s discretion. Sports betting is expected to begin in Missouri in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Caruthersville, Missouri – Since the opening of the new casino and hotel on November 1, 2024, net operating revenue and Adjusted EBITDAR** have increased 26% and 31% respectively.

Poland – The Company was awarded a second license in the city of Wroclaw in March 2025. The Company expects to open the casino in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company was notified in June 2025 that it had not received a new license for a second casino in Warsaw and closed the casino at the Hilton Hotel. The license for the Company’s flagship casino in Warsaw at The Presidential Hotel runs through 2028.

Strategic Review Process – The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has initiated a comprehensive strategic review of its operations, capital structure and strategic growth options. The review will explore a range of potential strategic alternatives for the Company’s assets and businesses aimed at enhancing shareholder value and supporting long-term growth. These alternatives may include opportunities to unlock value within our existing property portfolio, optimize the Company’s capital structure, evaluate potential mergers, strategic partnerships, or the sale of the Company, and to analyze potential divestments of assets or other asset-level transactions. In connection with this review, the Company has engaged Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP as legal counsel and Macquarie Capital as financial advisor.

This review follows the Company’s recent substantial capital expenditure program and solid operational performance in the second quarter of 2025 and reflects the Board’s proactive approach to positioning the Company for future success in an evolving market landscape. The Board has not set a timetable for the conclusion of this review. At this stage, no commitments or decisions have been made and there can be no assurance that the review will result in any transaction or particular change to the Company’s business. The Company does not intend to make further public comments on the process unless and until it determines that further disclosure is appropriate or necessary.

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Zitro Experience Launches a New Era in Paraguay

Published

1 day ago

August 11, 2025

George Miller

Zitro Experience Launches a New Era in Paraguay

Zitro recently held its first-ever Zitro Experience Paraguay, an exclusive event that brought together top operators, clients, and industry leaders at the prestigious Hotel Casino Acaray.

Held during SAGSE, the event quickly became a must-attend gathering to showcase the company’s latest innovations and strengthen strategic partnerships in the region.

Attendees got an up-close look at Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinet line and games, which are already transforming the gaming experience across Latin America with their striking design and high performance. The presentation featured a spectacular production that highlighted Zitro’s commitment to innovation and product excellence.

The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, designed to foster business relationships while offering a full experience with curated cuisine and unique entertainment, making the evening truly memorable. Clients, operators, and industry professionals alike agreed on the importance of this event for driving growth in the Paraguayan market and reinforcing Zitro’s position as a key strategic partner.

Alejandra Burato, Regional Director for Latin America, shared: “It was a privilege to connect with so many operators and friends at this event. I especially want to recognize Viviana Colman, our Country Manager in Paraguay, whose dedication and deep market knowledge have been instrumental in strengthening our presence and partnerships here. Paraguay is a strategic market for us, and this event reaffirms our commitment to delivering a broad and diverse offering that adds real value to operators.”

Sebastián Salat, Zitro’s International President, added: “We’re incredibly proud to bring Zitro Experience to Paraguay for the first time. As the first slot machine manufacturer to organize an event like this in the country, we want to demonstrate our commitment to this market and continue innovating with high-performance products that drive our clients’ success. As I always say, Zitro isn’t just entering Paraguay — we’re already here, with a dedicated and talented local team and office. This Zitro Experience marks the beginning of a new era where we’re more determined than ever to support the dynamic and growing gaming industry in this fantastic country.”