Press Releases
PlayVirginia.com: Sportsbooks make gains in August ahead of football season

Virginia’s sportsbooks bounced back with more than $180 million in wagering in August, a modest surge after July’s low. The gains in August were made in part because Virginians were offered their first opportunity to bet on early season football, offering a limited sample of what will likely be record-breaking months ahead for the commonwealth’s fledgling sports betting market, according to PlayVirginia, which offers news and analysis of the Virginia’s sports betting market.
“Baseball did much of the heavy lifting in August, but NFL futures betting, preseason football, and a small sampling of college games make a significant difference for sportsbooks,” said Dann Stupp, lead analyst for PlayVirginia.com. “Seeing any gain is a breath of fresh air after what was the typical slow period for the industry. But August’s gains are just a foreshadow for what will certainly be the busiest stretch since Virginia launched sports betting in January.”
Bettors placed $182.4 million in wagers at Virginia’s sportsbooks in August, up 12.7% from $161.9 million in July, according to data released Friday by The Virginia Lottery. The pace of betting grew to $5.9 million per day over the 31 days of August, topping $5.2 million over the 31 days of July, which was the lowest daily volume in any month this year.
Gross gaming revenue did fall 10.0% to $18.0 million from to $20.0 million in July. That created $8.7 million in adjusted gross revenue, yielding $1.4 million in state taxes, including $34,463 for problem gambling support.
Despite the gains, August’s handle and revenue totals were still well below the highs hit in March, which brought $304.1 million in wagers and $26.6 million in gross revenue. Virginia, though, remains on one of the fastest tracks of any legal sports betting market in U.S. history, attracting $1.7 billion in wagers and $145.0 million in gross gaming revenue since launching in January.
But the final four months of 2021 should bring the market to new heights with full schedules of college and NFL football. In 2020, a year marred by the shutdown of major sports for months, 60.2% of the money wagered legally in the U.S. was placed from September through December. In 2019, 50.8% of all legal wagers were made during the last four months of the year.
“We are entering the most important four months for Virginia’s sports betting industry, and it will be exciting to see how Virginia bettors respond to a full schedule of football,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayVirginia.com. “It is a great bet that from September through the end of the year, the commonwealth’s sportsbooks will shatter just about every record that was set earlier this year.”
The roster of operators in Virginia continues to shift, which is expected during football season. Barstool Sports debuted in August, and Golden Nugget is gearing up for its own launch, pledging funds to five Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Meanwhile, BlueBet Holdings abandoned its pursuit of a license.
Operators often target football season to debut, aiming to capitalize on increased interest. Football season represents an important opportunity for established operators, too.
“College football and the NFL will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in bets at Virginia’s sportsbooks, which is important on its own,” Stupp said. “With increased engagement comes a chance for sportsbooks to grow their customer base. A good promotional strategy set over the summer should start to pay off in September.”
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting in Virginia, visit PlayVirginia.com/revenue.
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Maryland Lottery and Gaming Comission Selects Intralot for Lottery System Contract

Intralot S.A. informs the investor community and its stakeholders that on July 15, 2025 the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission approved the recommendation to award a new Lottery Central Monitoring and Control System (LCMCS) contract to its US subsidiary, Intralot, Inc. following a competitive bidding process.
The vendor awarded the contract will manufacture the counter terminals and self-service vending machines that sell tickets at 4,300 Maryland Lottery retailer points of sale; develops the software that runs the system’s sales and accounting functions; and provide numerous related services that are necessary to operate the Maryland Lottery. The term of the contract is 10 years with a possible 5+1 year extension.
As part its proposal to the State, Intralot has engaged nine local business enterprises (MBE) to service the Maryland Lottery contract. Historically, vendors have used fewer MBE partners, but Intralot believes its new approach will create far greater opportunities for local communities.
Intralot’s financial proposal corresponds to a total estimated contract term price of $260,393,946.
The Gaming Control Commission’s approval is an intermediary step in the award process for
approving any future contract.
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Spinomenal Goes Live Across Caesars Entertainment’s Marquee Online Casino Brands in New Jersey

Spinomenal, a leading content provider in iGaming, has launched its online casino titles on Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino in New Jersey, as part of its United States expansion strategy. This collaboration brings Spinomenal’s top-performing titles – along with exclusive titles like Hut with Chicken Legs and Majestic Claws – online for New Jersey players 21 and older via the Aristocrat Interactive platform.
These games are designed to convey rich storytelling, striking visuals, and high entertainment value, aligning perfectly with Caesars’ commitment to offering best-in-class experiences to its players. This strategic expansion reinforces Spinomenal’s commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences in New Jersey. With the growing demand for cutting-edge online casino content, Spinomenal is strengthening its foothold in the state while further establishing itself in the broader U.S. market.
Yossi Shayovits, Head of Business Development for Spinomenal commented: “We’re incredibly proud to launch this content partnership with Caesars Entertainment, a true titan of the gaming and entertainment world. Combining our standout slot portfolio with the prestige, trust, and reach of the Caesars brand sets the stage for a powerful, long-term success story for both sides.”
Matthew Sunderland, Senior Vice President and Chief iGaming Officer at Caesars Digital added: “We’re pleased that our players in New Jersey can now enjoy Spinomenal’s captivating titles on our iGaming platforms. This addition enhances our ever-growing catalogue of games, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for our users. We’d like to thank our partners at Spinomenal for their support in delivering an unparalleled online casino experience.”
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Caesars Entertainment and Bread Financial Introduce New Caesars Rewards® Prestige Visa, a Premium-Level Credit Card Allowing Caesars Rewards Members to Earn Tier Status Faster and Unlock Luxury Rewards with Every Purchase

Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR), the largest casino entertainment company in the U.S., is playing a bold new hand by launching a second, elevated, Caesars Rewards® Visa Signature credit card with Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. For a $149 annual fee*, the Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature credit card includes up to $450 in annual value and gives members all the benefits of high-end experiences as well as waived fees for foreign transactions*.
Cardmembers will receive Prestige Perks worth up to $450 and redeemable annually across Caesars’ 50+ U.S. destinations, including:
- A complimentary hotel night upon anniversary (up to $300)*
- $50 Slot Play*
- $100 Caesars dining credit*
- Accelerated earn rates for Caesars Rewards destinations at seven Reward Credits® per $1 spent*
“Caesars Entertainment has always been about giving our members unmatched access to the best experiences in the industry,” said Josh Jones, chief marketing officer at Caesars Entertainment. “Through our world-class Caesars Rewards program and our relationship with Bread Financial, we’re expanding the ways our members can earn and enjoy perks—from one-of-a-kind experiences, exceptional dining options, accelerated status opportunities and more – this new card option brings even more excitement, value and VIP treatment to every guest staying and playing with Caesars Entertainment.”
“The Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa credit card gives cardmembers more ways to earn rewards immediately on everyday purchases and unlock exclusive perks on travel, entertainment, dining and gaming —making every tap a step closer to their next unforgettable Caesars experience,” said Val Greer, EVP and chief commercial officer at Bread Financial. “This new credit card offers Caesars’ most dedicated members additional opportunities to make each purchase even more rewarding.”
Additionally, the credit card provides more ways to earn Tier Credits through welcome offers and annual bonuses, enabling members to achieve their Caesars Rewards loyalty program tiers faster. New cardholders can earn up to 25,000 additional Tier Credits in their first year*.
Welcome Offer
- Platinum Status upgrade*
- 2,500 Tier Credits after first purchase outside of Caesars Rewards destinations*
- 20,000 Reward Credits and 2,500 Tier Credits after $1,000 spend outside of Caesars Rewards destinations*
Annual Bonuses
- 2,500 Tier Credits with $5,000 annual spend + another 2,500 Tier Credits with $10,000 annual spend*
- 15,000 Tier Credits with $50,000 annual spend*
The new credit card adds to the existing Caesars Rewards Visa suite, including the Caesars Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card. Whether members are gaming, dining, or on the go, Caesars and Bread Financial have cardmembers covered with two distinct credit card programs to choose from and limitless ways to earn. The Caesars Rewards Visa card has also been elevated with a sophisticated new black design, bringing a sleek, modern edge to a card that delivers everyday perks with timeless luxury.
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