Press Releases

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

Published

4 years ago

June 14, 2021

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.

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“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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Stake Colombia welcomes tennis star Juan Sebastián Cabal as new ambassador

Published

14 hours ago

July 23, 2025

George Miller

Stake Colombia welcomes tennis star Juan Sebastián Cabal as new ambassador

Stake Colombia is proud to announce its sponsorship and the incorporation of Juan Sebastián Cabal, the Colombian tennis legend, as its new ambassador. This alliance celebrates Cabal’s unparalleled career and reinforces Stake Colombia’s commitment to sports, excellence, and the Colombian community.

Juan Sebastián Cabal, an iconic figure in Colombian tennis, reached the top of the doubles world ranking in 2019, forming one of the most prominent duos of the last decade with Robert Farah. Together, they conquered Wimbledon and the US Open, were finalists at Roland Garros and the Australian Open in men’s doubles, and Cabal also won the Australian Open in mixed doubles. Furthermore, they achieved multiple victories in ATP 1000, 500, and 250 tournaments. His career is a clear example of perseverance, talent, and excellence, leaving an indelible mark on global tennis.

“Having Juan Sebastián Cabal as an ambassador is key for Stake Colombia. At a time when paddle is experiencing an explosion in popularity across the country, fostering entertainment among young people is fundamental. Supporting, connecting with the community, and offering new experiences is what drives us, and this alliance is an opportunity to truly excite both paddle and tennis enthusiasts alike,” stated Diana Otálora, Country Manager of Stake Colombia.

Beyond his impressive records and titles, Juan Sebastián Cabal embodies the fighting and resilient spirit of Colombian athletes. He has represented Colombia in three editions of the Olympic Games and has been a fundamental pillar in the Davis Cup for more than 15 years. Currently, Cabal continues his legacy in padel and sports development through his club “Padeling by Cabal,” which promotes well-being and physical activity in his hometown, inspiring new generations of athletes and strengthening national pride.

Regarding this new alliance with Stake Colombia, Cabal stated that “it is a fantastic opportunity to continue promoting the values of sport and dedication that have accompanied me throughout my career. I am excited about the idea of working together to inspire more people and support sports development in our country.”

The collaboration between Stake and Juan Sebastián Cabal is a testament to their shared passion for sports and entertainment. Through this partnership, Stake Colombia will seek to promote sports integrity and connect communities with innovative and exciting experiences.

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Buffalo Run Casino & Resort Selects QCI Go to Empower Hosts and Enhance Guest Engagement

Published

17 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Go, a native mobile app designed specifically for casino hosts, to elevate host productivity and deliver a superior guest experience.

QCI Go provides hosts with powerful tools including player card scanning, real-time player lookup, seamless access to QCI Meet and QCI Events, and robust task management features—all in a user-friendly mobile interface. By putting these capabilities directly in the hands of hosts, QCI Go enables faster service, deeper guest relationships, and greater operational efficiency on the casino floor.

Mary Jewett, Vice President and General Marketing at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, expressed excitement about the implementation:
“Bringing QCI Go to Buffalo Run Casino & Resort represents a significant advancement in how we empower our hosts to serve guests. With mobile access to key player information, events, and task management, our team can deliver personalized service in real time, enhancing both the guest experience and host effectiveness.”

Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his perspective on the partnership:
“We are thrilled to deploy QCI Go at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort. By providing hosts with mobile access to the QCI platform, we enable them to deliver exceptional, timely service and foster stronger player relationships. This is a great example of how our mobile-first innovations help operators improve team productivity and guest satisfaction.”

QCI Go is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader commitment to innovation in the gaming industry, providing operators with state-of-the-art tools that support host teams, streamline operations, and drive meaningful guest engagement.

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BMM TESTLABS’ BIG CYBER CLARIFIES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND ORGANIZATIONAL OVERSIGHT

Published

17 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

BMM Testlabs (“BMM” or “the Company”), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced that Amit Sharma, former Chief Executive Officer of its BIG Cyber business, has not been affiliated with the Company in any capacity since October 2024.

BIG Cyber is focused on delivering world-class cybersecurity solutions to the global gaming industry under the leadership of Marzia Turrini, President, iGaming & Cybersecurity at BMM Testlabs. Turrini provides executive oversight for BIG Cyber’s strategy, services, and partnerships, ensuring the highest standards of security, professionalism, and customer care.

BMM Testlabs Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said, “We take the integrity of our brand and communications seriously. While we thank Amit for his past contributions, we want to make it clear that he no longer represents BIG Cyber, BMM Testlabs, or BMM Innovation Group in any form. Our BIG Cyber solutions business continues to grow under the trusted leadership of Marzia Turrini and our global team of experts.”