Press Releases
PlayIA.com: Betting volume grows for first time since March
Iowa bettors boosted their wagering in August more than 20% from July, the first month-over-month gain in betting volume since March’s record-setting month. August’s uptick to more than $108 million was nearly enough for the state to reach $1 billion in wagering since Jan. 1, a noteworthy milestone ahead of what will likely be the busiest four months of the year, according to PlayIA, a leading source for news and analysis of the Iowa gaming market.
“Futures betting and a handful of college games are enough to move the needle. That’s how important football is to the sports betting industry,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayIA.com. “August is a precursor for what should be the busiest stretch of the year. Optimistic projections for the last four months put the state past $1.7 billion in wagers for the year.”
Iowa’s online and retail sportsbooks accepted $108.4 million in bets in August, up 21.1% from $88.9 million in July, according to official data released Monday. Bettors placed $3.5 million per day over the 31 days of August, up from $2.9 million per day over the 31 days of July.
Despite the volume increase, operator revenue fell 14.3% to $6.6 million from $7.7 million in July, resulting in $486,608 in tax revenue for the state.
Year-over-year, August’s wagering was up 115% compared with $50.3 million in August 2020. Meanwhile, revenue grew 120% in August from $3 million in August 2020. Iowa sportsbooks have now generated $997.0 million in bets since Jan. 1, falling just short of reaching $1 billion in wagering for the year.
“As slow as the summer months have been, the growth over the last year in Iowa remains remarkable,” said Russ Mitchell, lead analyst for PlayIA.com. “Nearly $1 billion in eight months represents a significant jump forward, and that growth should only accelerate over the next four months.”
Baseball led the way in August. But the return of college football, even if for just a handful of games, was a significant reason why volume increased in August.
September will show even greater gains, though. A full college football schedule and the return of the NFL will always bring a boom in sports betting. But Saturday’s showdown between No. 9 Iowa State and No. 10 Iowa â the first time a Cy-Hawk game featured both teams in the AP Top 10 â was something altogether different for Iowa sportsbooks.
“A game that creates that kind of excitement is rare, sending fans on both sides pouring into the state’s online and retail sportsbooks,” Ramsey said. “That made it a unique opportunity for the industry to reach college football fans all across Iowa, including those who have never placed a bet before.”
In August, $96.1 million in bets were made online, representing 88.6% of the state’s handle. Retail betting accounted for the remaining $12.4 million.
William Hill topped the online market with $34.8 million in online wagers, which yielded $229,427 in net receipts. DraftKings was second with $29.9 million in online wagering, generating a market-best $2.3 million in revenue.
Ameristar Council Bluffs topped the retail market with $3.6 million in wagers, netting $643,585 in revenue. Diamond Jo Worth was second with $3.4 million in bets, producing $246,324 in revenue.
“Operators have been jockeying for market share since the beginning of the year, but the real test comes with the beginning of the football season,” Mitchell said. “If operators put in place a solid strategy for reaching out to customers over the summer, the fruits of that labor will start to come in September.”
For more information on regulated sports betting in Iowa, visit PlayIA.com/revenue/.
NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.
As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.
This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.
Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: âWe are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.â
Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: âWe are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.â
This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.
Canada
Vancouver Resident Purchased Winning $40 Million Lotto Max Ticket While Quenching Sparkling Water Craving
Phuc Duc (Daniel) Chau loves the Bubly brand of sparkling water and stopped in a convenience store to purchase a can. Chau likes to buy lottery tickets based on a gut feeling, and due to the employeeâs bubbly nature while he purchased his Bubly, Chau also purchased a Lotto Max ticket for the May 23, 2025 draw. Â
It was this ticket that ended up scoring Chau a whopping $40-million jackpot. Â
âI was at work when I found out,â recalled Chau of the moment he realized he won. âI was going through my bag to find a cough drop, but I saw that I had two lottery tickets in my bag and decided to scan the tickets, but I needed to update the [BCLC Lotto!] app first. The first ticket I didnât win anything, but the second said $40 million. I have never seen that many zeroes in my life, ever. I dropped my phone and then called BCLC right away!âÂ
At the time of the prize claim, the Vancouver resident hadnât yet shared the news of his win. Â
âMy partner doesnât know yet! I want to share the news with them in a special way.â Â
Chau shared that his dream has always been to travel the world. âThere are so many places I want to go to, so I havenât fully decided!âÂ
When asked if he will quit his job, he said, âI havenât decided, but I want to continue to support my community in a different way.âÂ
On how it feels to be a multimillionaire? Â
âIt means a lot to me. It opens up an opportunity for me to give back to my family, community and the world all around me. Itâs not meaningful unless you can share this with those who need it.â Â
Chau purchased the winning ticket at the 7-Eleven on Imperial Street and Boundary Road in Burnaby. Â
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $146 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST). Â
Players can purchase tickets at lottery retailers or at PlayNow.com. Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com. Players can check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android devices.Â
BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits.
Latest News
ACR POKER AND CHRIS MONEYMAKER TO SEND PLAYERS TO $300,000 GTD MONEYMAKER TOUR MAIN EVENT THIS SEPTEMBER
Play in the Beast Mega Satellite this Sunday for a chance to win a share of over $44,000 in Moneymaker Tour packages to Aruba
Players now have an opportunity to win an unforgettable poker vacation to one of the hottest live events in Aruba this fall. ACR Poker and poker legend Chris Moneymaker are guaranteeing a host of exclusive packages to the $300,000 GTD Moneymaker Tour Aruba Main Event in September.
ACR Pokerâs online Beast Mega Satellite, on Sunday, June 22nd at 5:05pm ET, will guarantee 12 Moneymaker Tour packages worth $3,700 each, totaling $44,400 in value. Players can buy-in for just $95 or qualify for free by placing on the Beast weekly leaderboard.
Each package includes the $1,700 Main Event buy-in, a four-night hotel stay (September 25th to 29th), and $1,000 in airfare. Players will then compete for a share of the $300,000 GTD prize pool, all while enjoying epic poker and off-the-felt experiences set against the stunning backdrop of Aruba.
“Weâre all about making poker fun and accessible, and this Aruba stop is the perfect mix of serious competition and a great vacation,â said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. âWhether youâre chasing the title or just chasing the sun, this satellite gives players a chance to play poker in an incredible location and hang out with fellow poker fansâall for a small buy-in. Canât wait to see who wins their way there this fall.â
This exclusive opportunity is part of Chris Moneymakerâs popular land-based poker tour, which includes stops in Las Vegas, Florida, and Canada. From September 26th to 28th, the $300,000 GTD Main Event in Aruba offers players the very best of live poker in a stunning paradise setting. Beyond the poker tables, players can enjoy pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the vibrant island culture of this Caribbean gem.
Also this Sunday, players can join the penultimate Vegas Main Event Satellite at 2:05pm ET, where 10 packages (worth $12,500 each) to the $10,000 buy-in Main Event in Las Vegas will be awarded. In addition, the Sunday Moneymaker Tournament will take place at 1:05pm ET with a $109 buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of $300,000.
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