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PlayIndiana.com: Indiana sportsbooks show resiliency with uptick in May

Bettors at Indiana’s retail and online sportsbooks were more active in May compared to April, a welcome result after April’s month-over-month slowdown, even as May revenue slipped slightly. But even with the market advantages that helped spur the positive turn, Indiana’s sports betting industry will have to wait until football season kicks off before betting volume returns to the highwater marks hit earlier this year, according to PlayIndiana, which tracks the state’s gaming industry.
“Even with the expected slowdown over the last two months, no Midwestern state has held its ground better than Indiana,” said Nicole Russo, analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Some of that can be attributed to local events driving interest, including the Indy 500. But the market’s structural advantages that were built in before sports betting launched is also paying dividends.”
Bettors placed $254.4 million in wagers in May at Indiana’s retail and online sportsbooks, according to official reporting released Friday. That is up 7.6% from $236.4 million in April, even as May’s handle remained well shy of the $316.7 million handle in March.
May’s bets produced $18.9 million in adjusted gross revenue, down 6.1% from $20.1 million in April and yielding $1.8 million in state taxes. Last month’s results are significantly improved over May 2020, when online retail and sportsbooks generated just $3.2 million in revenue on $37.3 million in bets.
A slowdown from April until the kickoff of football season is to be expected, but Indiana has some advantages over other legal markets in the U.S. during the slower months. For one, the Indianapolis 500 in May helped drive wagering in Indiana more than in most legal jurisdictions. Secondly, Indiana sportsbooks have been particularly aggressive in finding new ways to take advantage of opportunities, such as aggressive promotional offerings for the Indiana Pacers’ play-in tournament appearance. That helped push basketball betting to $82.4 million in May.
“In open and competitive betting markets such as Indiana, sportsbooks have significant incentive to find alternative events to fuel bettor interest even while the sports calendar is slower,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayIndiana.com. “Whether that means heavy promotion of a Pacers play-in game or future innovations built around the upcoming Olympics, operators will do what they can to hold their market position. And ultimately, that’s good for the entire market.”
Online betting accounted for 89.8%, or $228.4 million, of the state’s handle, an increase from 88.4% in April. Retail sportsbooks generated the remaining $26 million in wagers, down from $27.3 million in April.
DraftKings narrowly held its grip on the online market lead with $81.8 million in online bets, up from $79.3 million in April. Those bets yield $2.9 million in gross receipts, down from $6.1 million in April. FanDuel was just behind with $79.3 million in bets, up from $67.1 million in April. Those bets were enough to lead the state with $7.6 million in gross receipts, up from $5.7 million.
Indiana’s online market got more competitive in May with Penn National’s launch of its Barstool-branded online sportsbook on May 18. In less than two weeks, bettors poured $6.3 million in wagers, yielding a $267,512 win. That represents the sixth-highest betting volume among Indiana operators.
“Barstool is the most anticipated launch since the opening few months of the market, and for good reason,” Welman said. “In states where Barstool operates, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan, Barstool has proven to be a market disruptor, even if it hasn’t overtaken the likes of FanDuel or DraftKings. May’s results are a small sample size, but there is enough to envision that a similar dynamic is building in Indiana.”
The leaders were followed by:
- BetMGM ($29.3 million handle, down from $30.9 million in March; $2.5 million win, down from $3.1 million).
- PointsBet ($11.3 million handle, up from $10.3 million; $1 million win, up from $794,476)
- William Hill ($8.2 million handle, down from $8.5 million; $173,885 win, down from $378,830)
- BetRivers/French Lick Resort ($6.8 million handle, down from $7.3 million; $438,229 win, up from $381,975)
- TheScore ($2.9 million handle, down from $3.2 million; $125,729 win, down from $128,670)
- Unibet ($1.3 million handle, down from $2 million; $83,089 win, up from $23,884)
- TwinSpires ($504,680 handle, up from $158,702; $53,878 up from -$8,929)
- WynnBet ($485,306 handle, down from $411,778; $56,074 win, up from $47,206)
- Caesars (no handle; -$136 win)
On the retail side, Hollywood Lawrenceburg, nearest to Cincinnati, led the retail market again with $8.4 million in wagers, even with $8.4 million in April. Ameristar East Chicago was second with $4.4 million.
“The retail market is beginning to show new life as pandemic concerns wane,” Russo said. “Out-of-state bettors remain the lifeblood of the retail market. So long as Ohio and Kentucky resist legalizing sports betting, and pandemic-related restrictions don’t return, retail sportsbooks should continue to return to health.”
For more revenue information on Indiana sportsbooks, visit PlayIndiana.com/revenue.
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CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES REVOLUTIONIZE PALACE BINGO & SPORTS BETS IN CANCÚN

Palace Bingo & Sports Bets Casino in Cancún has taken a major step forward by introducing Zitro’s revolutionary CONCEPT cabinet line and new games that promise to elevate the gaming experience in this iconic Mexican tourist destination.
The newly installed titles—Legendary Sword, Triple Charm Journey, Fairyland Quest, and Merging Fu Pots —are designed to appeal to all types of players. They feature stunning graphics, innovative mechanics, and rewarding prizes that enhance the excitement of play.
Representatives from El Palacio de los Números commented: “The addition of Zitro’s games and CONCEPT cabinets at our Cancún casino has been an overwhelming success. Player feedback has been exceptional, with many praising the visual quality, engaging gameplay, and the wide range of prizes. This new offering is undoubtedly transforming the gaming experience on our floor.”
Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, added: “We’re very pleased that Palace Bingo & Sports Bets Casino in Cancún has again chosen Zitro to innovate its entertainment lineup. The combination of our CONCEPT cabinets and new games provides a unique player experience and drives profitability for the operator.”
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ACR POKER ADDS BONUS FLIGHTS TO MASSIVE DUAL VENOM TOURNAMENTS, GIVING PLAYERS ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN

Extra flights to take place on Saturday, April 26th for the $10 Million NLH and $2 Million PLO events
ACR Poker is giving players another shot at poker glory with the addition of bonus flights for the huge Dual Venom tournaments that are running side by side. Included are a massive $10 million GTD NLH event and $2 million GTD PLO event. The bonus flights will take place this Saturday, April 26th at 1:05pm ET, ahead of the final Day 1 flight on Sunday, April 27th.
Day 1 survivors from the six flights in the $10 Million NLH Venom will return for Day 2 on Monday, April 28th, and if they advance, continue to Day 3 on Tuesday. Day 3 survivors will compete for the Venom NLH title at the Final Table on Wednesday, April 30th at 4:05pm ET. With a $2,650 buy-in, the champion is set to win an estimated $1 million. Meanwhile, the winner of the $2 Million PLO event, which ties as the largest Omaha event in ACR Poker’s history, is projected to win a top prize of $400,000.
“Venom is really heating up and the extra flights are another chance for anyone who still wants to make a run at Day 2 and get a piece of the huge prize pools and the Venom glory,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker.
There’s still time for players to lock in their Venom entry through ACR Poker’s Venom Fever Satellites, with qualifiers starting at $0. Venom Madness, Direct and Mega Satellites offer players affordable routes into both headline tournaments. Additional opportunities include the Venom Vault, which has already awarded over $150,000 in prizes and 22 X $2,650 seats.
ACR Poker is also hosting Venom Specials during every Day 1 and Day 2 of the Dual Venoms, featuring over $14 million in guaranteed prizes. Plus, the $500,000 GTD Venom Warmup has daily Day 1 flights running through this Sunday, April 27th, for just a $66 buy-in.
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Quick Custom Intelligence Joins Theo Awards as Silver Sponsor, Expanding Support of Casino DMA’s Mission

Casino Direct Marketing Association (Casino DMA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing casino marketing through education and connection, is proud to announce that Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has signed on as a Silver Sponsor of the upcoming Theo Awards. This new sponsorship marks an exciting expansion of QCI’s support for Casino DMA’s mission and programs.
“Marketing for casinos is a unique challenge, blending creative artistry with data science,” said Dr. Ralph Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at QCI. “We’re grateful to Casino DMA for the opportunity to sponsor this event and eager to hear the stories that emerge. It’s this kind of sharing that makes our industry stronger.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome QCI as a sponsor,” said Steven Paci, president of Casino DMA. “Their commitment to innovation and excellence in casino marketing perfectly aligns with our goal of elevating and celebrating the work of our industry’s brightest minds.”
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