Press Releases
PlayColorado.com: Sports betting back on the rise thanks to Nuggets, Avs playoff runs
Colorado’s sportsbooks returned to growth as interest in the playoff runs of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets pushed the state’s betting volume to nearly $250 million in May. The month’s results show how valuable the success of local teams can be to bookmakers, especially in what is the offseason of sports betting, according to PlayColorado, which tracks the state’s regulated sports betting market.
“The U.S. jurisdictions that have fared best over the last two months have tended to be those like Colorado where a local team thrived or a locally held event drew heavy interest,” said Jessica Welman, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayColorado.com. “The biggest takeaway is that Colorado’s bettors remain engaged, and that will prove important once football season kicks off and robust growth returns.”
Sportsbooks accepted $249.0 million in May wagers online and in retail sportsbooks, or $8.0 million bets per day in May, according to data released Friday afternoon by the Colorado Division of Gaming. Those wagers were up 1.9% from $244.5 million in bets in April and up nearly 10-fold from $25.6 million in wagers in May 2020, the first month of sports betting in Colorado.
May’s wagers produced $15.2 million in gross gaming revenue, down 13.7% from $17.6 million in April but up from $2.6 million in May 2020. After promotional credits, sportsbooks reported $5.9 million in net sports betting proceeds, which yielded $635,641 in tax revenue.
The nation’s largest legal sports betting markets have been a mixed bag over the last two months, the beginning of a relatively slow period in sports betting that will last until football season. Of the Top 10 U.S. markets that have reported May data, Colorado’s month-over-month increase in wagering was smaller than New Jersey (up 8.9%) and Indiana (up 7.6%), but larger than Iowa (down 2.9%), Michigan (down 6.0%), and Pennsylvania (down 6.7%). Colorado’s handle did drop 18.8% in April, but all of the nation’s 10 largest markets saw at least a 13% decline in betting from March to April.
“Colorado’s sportsbooks are in a good position relative to most other legal states,” said Ian St. Clair, analyst for PlayColorado.com. “The seasonal slowdown will continue to be a factor until the NFL and college football returns. For now, though, the state’s sportsbooks are doing what they can to keep interest up by taking advantage of the opportunities, such as playoff appearances by the Nuggets and the Avs, as they come.”
With the Nuggets beginning their playoff journey in May, the NBA spurred $86.9 million in basketball wagering, up from $84.3 million in April. Baseball was the second-most popular sport with $49.1 million, up from $48.3 million in April despite the struggles of the Colorado Rockies. The Avalanche pushed hockey betting to $15.5 million from $10.6 million in April. Table tennis ($10.3 million), soccer ($9.9 million), and tennis ($8.2 million) also drove significant interest from bettors.
“With both the Avalanche and Nuggets eliminated and the Colorado Rockies struggling, Colorado won’t be as lucky as it has been for the remainder of the summer months,” St. Clair said. “But baseball’s All-Star Game should generate some interest, as well as an influx of out-of-state bettors. And the state’s sportsbooks will be creative in maximizing interest in events such as The Olympics.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Colorado, visit PlayColorado.com/revenue.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading provider of B2B gaming content, systems, and solutions, is excited to announce a new partnership with Jogo de Ouro, a Brazilian-based sportsbook and casino operator, to bring Inspired’s acclaimed slot titles to its players.
This partnership signals a major step forward in Inspired’s growth strategy, as the market expands during its new era of regulation. With this launch, Jogo de Ouro’s players in Brazil will now have access to Inspired’s rapidly expanding catalogue of online slot content, including hit titles such as Golden Winner™ (Campeão de Ouro), Big Piggy Bank™ (Super Confrinho da Sorte), Big Fishing Fortune™ (Super Pescaria da Fortuna), alongside global fan favourites like Gold Cash Free Spins™ (Grana de Ouro Giros Gratis), Cops ‘n’ Robbers Big Money™ (Policia e Ladrao Muita Grana), and more.
Jogo de Ouro will feature regular content releases from Inspired, giving its players access to a variety of new experiences, including proven, high-performing global hits. The portfolio blends iconic classics, innovative features, and seasonal favourites, all designed with high-impact mechanics that drive both engagement and retention. The partnership with Jogo de Ouro broadens Inspired’s global footprint and brings proven content to one of the most promising iGaming markets, in the world.
Claire Osborne, Vice President of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Jogo de Ouro to bring our diverse games portfolio to Brazilian audiences. From player-favourite classics to fun seasonal titles, our games are crafted for engagement and have proven performance. This collaboration will deliver exceptional entertainment experiences to Jogo de Ouro’s players.”
Flavio Sukar, CEO at Jogo de Ouro, added: “This partnership positions Jogo de Ouro at the forefront of Brazilian iGaming, delivering top-tier casino content to our players. We’re proud to partner with Inspired, and we look forward to bringing their high-quality games and regular new releases to audiences across the country.”
Evolution has announced the launch of its first-ever live casino studio in São Paulo, Brazil, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion in Latin America. The cutting-edge facility is purpose-built to meet the unique demands of Brazil’s rapidly expanding regulated iGaming market.
Following the regulation of Brazil’s online gaming sector in January 2025, Evolution became the country’s first licensed supplier on day one of the new legal framework. The opening of this studio further underscores Evolution’s commitment and investment in the region.
The new state-of-the-art studio will initially offer multiple variants of native Brazilian Portuguese-speaking Blackjack tables, including Blackjack Clássico, Blackjack Illimitado, and Brazilian Blackjack.
Global fan-favourites such as Crazy Time, and XXXtreme Lightning Roulette will be fully localised and launched in Brazil – delivering world-class entertainment with a distinctly Brazilian flavour. Rounding out the line-up, ICE Fishing – Evolution’s flagship global release for 2025 – will also be customised for the local market and streamed from the new Brazil-based studio.
Natalia Torres, Evolution’s Head of Region Latin America, commented: “We are proud to unveil Brazil’s first fully localised live casino studio. This is a major milestone not only for Evolution but also for the future of regulated iGaming in Brazil. With our industry-proven formats, robust local infrastructure, and unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance, we’re empowering operators to go live with content that genuinely connects with Brazilian players.”
Torres added: “The new studio affords us full flexibility to customise everything – from game selection and dealer language to branding and marketing support. It sets a new benchmark for quality and localisation in Brazil, enabling our partners to deliver a premium, trusted, and highly engaging player experience from day one.”
Latest News
Kambi appoints experienced LatAm executive Mateo Lenoble as Head of Sales in Latin America
Appointment supports Kambi’s ongoing growth strategy in Latin America, with Lenoble bringing 10 years’ experience in senior LatAm-facing commercial roles at Sportradar
Kambi, the home of premium sports betting solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mateo Lenoble as Head of Sales in Latin America. Lenoble, an established voice in Latin America’s betting and gaming industry following 10 years at Sportradar, will play a key role in driving Kambi’s commercial growth and expanding its presence in the fast-growing region.
Lenoble brings more than a decade of experience in the Latin American sports betting and gaming industry, having previously held several senior commercial roles at Sportradar, including Director of Sales and most recently Vice President of Account Management for the region. Lenoble’s deep understanding of the market landscape, operator needs and varying regulatory environments will be instrumental in further strengthening Kambi’s leadership position in Latin America.
The appointment reinforces Kambi’s commitment to expanding its footprint across Latin America and providing leading operators with premium sports betting products and services. These solutions include Kambi’s flagship Turnkey Sportsbook, the world’s leading end-to-end sports betting solution, as well as cutting-edge standalone products such as Odds Feed+, Esports and Front End.
Sarah Robertson, Kambi Chief Commercial Officer, said: “I’m very excited to welcome Mateo to Kambi, strengthening our commercial team as we continue to establish ourselves as the home of premium sports betting solutions in Latin America. Mateo’s extensive experience and strong network across Latin America will be invaluable as we continue to expand in the region.”
Mateo Lenoble, Kambi Head of Sales, LatAm, said: “I’m thrilled to join Kambi at such a pivotal moment for the sports betting industry in Latin America. The region is full of opportunity, and Kambi’s reputation for product excellence, flexibility and regulatory expertise positions us perfectly for success. I look forward to working with the team to build strong partnerships and bring Kambi’s premium sportsbook offering to even more operators in Latin America.”
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