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France’s regulated online betting and gaming market grew by 10 per cent compared to a year ago as total gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €444m during the third quarter of 2021.

Following record quarterly performances in the first two quarters of this year, French gambling regulator l’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) said that the third quarter marked a return to form after Covid disruptions last year, with GGR climbing 28 per cent and active player numbers rising 31 per cent to 2,774,000 compared to Q3 2019.

The country’s fifteen licensed online operators grew sports betting GGR during the period, despite a 2 per cent fall in turnover to €1.60bn in Q3.

Buoyed by a 2 per cent increase in active sports bettors to 2,238,000, GGR from sports betting increased by 16 per cent versus a year ago to €264m, lower than the previous two quarters but 23 per cent higher than Q3 2019.

Online horse race betting stakes fell by 9 per cent compared to a year ago to €332m, as active players fell by 3 per cent to 335,000, with GGR from France’s six licensed horse race betting operators down 7 per cent at €81m.

Online poker GGR increased by 10 per cent versus a year ago to €99m, despite a 7 per cent drop in active poker players to 823,000. Compared to Q3 2019, poker GGR climbed by more than 50 per cent.

Britain’s Betting and Gaming Council has formed a cross-industry Ad Tech Forum to look at how the latest technology can be used to further protect children and vulnerable people online.

This cross-industry effort includes BGC members such as Flutter Entertainment, bet365 and William Hill, Advertising Association members and the Lotteries Council.

Leading tech platforms Meta, Twitter, Google and Snap will provide their input on further protecting children online, including how data can be used to improve age accuracy.

BGC members have already taken steps to protect young people, including new rules aimed at ensuring that children cannot view gambling ads on football clubs’ official social media accounts.

The Forum will build on the commitments made in the Sixth Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising, which stipulates that gambling operators must ensure all sponsored or paid for social media adverts are targeted at those aged 25 and over unless it can be proven that the ads meet a standard of age targeting verified by an agreed third party.

It also includes a requirement that gambling ads appearing on search engines must make clear that these products are for those aged 18-plus, while the ads themselves must include safer gambling messages.

The main forms of gambling young people take part in are playing cards, private bets with friends, scratchcards and fruit machines – all types of gambling that are not offered by BGC members (2019 Young People and Gambling report).

“I am delighted that the BGC has been able to co-ordinate the Ad Tech Forum, which I’m sure will come up with new ways of protecting young people and the vulnerable online,” said BGC chief executive Michael Dugher.

“Since being set up two years ago, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards and promote safer gambling, and this is proof of our determination to go even further.”

Advertising Association chief executive Stephen Woodford added: “We welcome the proactive work by the gambling industry with tech platforms and advertising bodies. It is essential that gambling ads online and in social media meet the highest standards of social responsibility.”
Gamingintelligence

Canada’s Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) is accepting proposals from prospective vendors that wish to enter the province’s sports betting market.

As a first step in this process, AGLC is seeking two proponents to provide some flexibility and options in the first phase, and will consider additional vendor opportunities as the market continues to develop.

“Opening the bid process for retail sportsbetting in Alberta is another exciting step for sports fans in the province,” said AGLC President & Chief Executive Officer Kandice Machado. 

“AGLC is proud to facilitate this next step that will involve the existing casino and racing entertainment centre industry while working with Alberta’s major professional sports teams. Continuing this work is an important step in offering consumers convenience and choice in their gambling entertainment options.”

AGLC has maintained ongoing communication with representatives of the casino industry and the Alberta Sports Coalition, which represents the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks. 

AGLC will monitor other provincial lottery markets while gathering feedback from the Alberta sports betting industry in order to safely expand vendor opportunities in the future.

The proposal process closes on January 31, 2022 with the aim of launching retail and online sports betting during the course of the year.

Gamingintelligence

Ohio’s sports betting bill is headed to Governor Mike DeWine for approval after securing legislative approval last week.

The bill would allow sports betting online under a Type A license, at land-based sportsbooks (Type B license), and via self-service betting kiosks (Type C license), with the state lottery commission exempt from the sports betting licensing requirement.

A maximum of 25 Type A licenses would be available at any one time, although the Ohio Casino Control Commission may increase this number after all 25 licenses have been issued, if it can be proven to be beneficial to the state.

Type A licenses are available to operators with a place of business within the state with multiple employees, as well as sports gaming facilities which also hold a Type B license.

A total of 40 Type B licenses are available to land-based sports gaming facilities, while licensed liquor establishments will be eligible for one of up to 20 Type C licenses.

Type A license holders will initially be allowed to partner with one online operator, with professional sports organisations, casino operators and video lottery sales agents given preference in awarding Type A licenses.

Numerous iGaming operators and suppliers have already agreed deals to enter Ohio’s regulated market. They include Carousel Group’s Maximbet brand, which has teamed up with an undisclosed partner, Kambi and GAN, who have partnered Jack Entertainment, and DraftKings, Kindred Group, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive, theScore and Fox Bet, who have all partnered with Penn National Gaming.

Gamingintelligence

Maryland became the latest US state to launch a regulated sports betting market as Governor Larry Hogan placed Maryland’s first sports wager at MGM National Harbor on Thursday.

Governor Hogan was joined by Washington Football Legend Joe Theismann and Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins to mark the unveiling of the BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge, placing the state’s first legal sports wager on an all Maryland Super Bowl, with Washington to win the National Football Conference (NFC) and Baltimore to win the American Football Conference (AFC).

“Today marks the culmination of more than a year of effort to get sports betting up and running here in the state of Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “In addition to allowing Marylanders to bet on football, basketball, and more, sports betting will also help to keep more dollars in-state and will provide another critical revenue source for public education without raising taxes on families and small businesses.”

Prior to yesterday’s launch, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency required two days of controlled sports betting testing at the retail sportsbook.

“The BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge at MGM National Harbor is a key component to making the Capital Region one of the country’s premier sports betting hubs,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “In partnership with the MGM National Harbor team, we’ve designed a world-class destination for sports fans.”

The retail sports betting opening is the culmination of an effort more than a year in the making. Maryland’s voters approved the legalization of sports betting in a November 2020 referendum.

A bill creating the structure of the state’s sports wagering market was passed by the General Assembly in April and signed into law by Governor Hogan in May of this year, with the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) awarding licenses to five facilities last month.

Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore and Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover have been conducting controlled demonstrations this week, and are expected to begin taking wagers later today.

“It’s hard to overstate how exciting this moment is; we couldn’t be happier to see sports wagering get started,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming director John Martin. “It’s a new form of entertainment that we know Marylanders will enjoy, but more importantly, it’s delivering a new stream of revenue for public education in the state. We’re especially proud of that.”

Gamingintelligence

London-listed gaming technology provider Playtech has launched a new dedicated live casino studio in Switzerland for operator partner Swiss Casinos.

Built on the existing Swiss Casinos site in Zürich, the live casino studio strengthens the partnership between the two companies, which began in 2019 with Playtech powering the operator’s iGaming launch.

The new studio offers Swiss players direct access to the Playtech Live tables, and includes Live Roulette, as well as the classic 7 Seat Blackjack and the scalable Blackjack version of All Bets.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new live casino studio built in close cooperation with the Playtech Live team,” said Swiss Casinos online director Patrick Mastai. “The Live Dealer offering that we can deliver to our customers is unrivaled and the new, first of its kind studio in Switzerland has been built to an incredibly high standard.

“Working so closely with the dedicated and skilled Playtech Live team has also been a great experience. We look forward to developing this partnership further as we continue to grow our product and content offering in Switzerland.” 

Playtech Live senior customer relations manager Margarita Terlanova commented: “The new Playtech Live studio in Zürich is a real testament to the close partnership that Playtech has established with Swiss Casinos. By both teams working closely together, we have been able to deliver an industry-leading online experience that mirrors the feeling of playing inside one of Swiss Casinos’ leading land-based casinos.

“From training the team of dedicated croupiers to work as Live hosts, to the bespoke design of the studio itself, this live experience is like no other we have delivered before. Playtech Live is leading the way on creating an entertainment-led experience that delivers on both a gameplay and presentation perspective. We have every confidence that the customers of Swiss Casinos will have an exceptional gaming experience.”

Shares in Playtech plc (LSE:PTEC) were trading marginally lower by 0.20 per cent at 735.00 pence per share in London earlier Friday.

Gamingintelligence

Illinois’ licensed sportsbook operators have recorded a 93 per cent increase in total amounts wagered to $840.4m in October 2021.

The bulk of the monthly total was wagered on professional sports ($712.6m), with $127.4m bet on college sports and a further $500,243 on motor races.

Overall, online sports wagers soared to $803.4m during the month, with retail contributing $37.0m in wagers.

ILLINOIS SPORTS BETTING HANDLE: OCTOBER 2021 (US$)

Online Retail TOTAL
Casino Queen 308,838,497 6,417,050 315,255,548
Fairmount Park 235,425,523 1,264,632 236,690,155
Midwest Gaming & Entertainment 119,009,434 16,668,921 135,678,357
HC Aurora 67,917,082 1,909,544 69,826,626
Hawthorne Race Course 59,572,923 2,830,811 62,403,736
Elgin Riverboat Resort 12,685,905 1,313,401 13,999,307
Alton Casino — 4,035,267 4,035,267
HC Joliet — 1,800,348 1,800,348
Par-A-Dice Gaming — 751,089 751,089
TOTAL 803,449,367 36,991,067 840,440,435

Casino Queen and partner DraftKings maintained their leadership position in Illinois’ sports betting market with wagers of $315.3m in October, comprised of $308.8m online and $6.4m from retail.

The next biggest operator was Fairmount Park and partner FanDuel with $236.7m in wagers, which comprised $235.4m from online and $1.3m from retail.

Sports wagers from Churchill Downs Incorporated and Rush Street Gaming’s Rivers Casino Des Plaines (trading as Midwest Gaming & Entertainment) amounted to $135.7m during the month, of which $119.0m was generated online. Rivers Casino remained the biggest retail sportsbook in the state with October wagers of $16.7m.

Gaming & Leisure Properties’ Hollywood Casino Aurora collected wagers of $69.8m during the month, including $67.9m online via Barstool Sports, while Hawthorne Race Course and partner PointsBet took in wagers of $62.4m, of which $59.6m was derived online.

Caesars Entertainment’s Grand Victoria Casino (trading as Elgin Riverboat Resort) generated wagers of $14.0m, including $12.7m online via Caesars Sportsbook. This was ahead of Penn National Gaming’s Argosy Casino Alton’s $4.0m, Hollywood Casino Joliet’s $1.8m and Par-A-Dice Gaming’s $751,089, all derived from retail.

Gamingintelligence

West Virginia’s regulated sports betting and iGaming market hit a new record high in November as total wagers soared to $281.3m.

Total wagers in the four-week period ended 27 November increased by 203 per cent year-on-year, with iGaming wagers rising 173 per cent to $198.2m and sports betting wagers climbing 71 per cent to $83.1m. Within sports betting, retail accounted for wagers of $14.9m, with online betting generating wagers of $68.2m.

WEST VIRGINIA SPORTS & IGAMING WAGERS: NOVEMBER 2021 (US$)

Sports Betting iGaming TOTAL
The Greenbrier 50,230,808 104,902,300 155,133,108
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races 23,935,874 70,953,896 94,889,770
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort 6,043,152 22,306,107 28,349,259
Mardi Gras Casino & Resort 1,901,149 — 1,901,149
Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack 986,875 — 986,875
TOTAL 83,097,858 198,162,303 281,260,161

iGaming

The Greenbrier and its partners FanDuel and BetMGM maintained their market leadership position in November, generating iGaming wagers of $104.9m, compared to just $28.6m a year ago.

The next biggest iGaming operator was Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, where wagers from DraftKings rose 62 per cent to $71.0m. Mountaineer Casino collected iGaming wagers of $22.3m during the month through Caesars and BetRivers, having only launched iGaming operations in April of this year.

A total of $192.2m was paid out in iGaming winnings during the four-week period, resulting in revenue of $5.9m across the state’s three licensed iGaming operators, compared to $1.1m a year ago.

Sports Betting

West Virginia’s five licensed sportsbook operators took in total sports wagers of $83.1m in November, with online wagers climbing 140 per cent year-on-year to $68.2m, offsetting a 26 per cent decline in retail wagers to $14.9m.

The Greenbrier maintained its sportsbook market leadership position in November with wagers of $50.2m, of which $48.2m was derived online, while Hollywood Casino collected wagers of $23.9m, of which $16.6m came from online.

The next biggest sportsbook operator in West Virginia was Mountaineer with wagers of $6.0m, ahead of Mardi Gras’ $1.9m and Wheeling’s $1.0m.

A total of $76.7m was paid out in sports winnings during the month, alongside $124,662 in voided bets, leaving the five sportsbook operators with total taxable receipts of $6.3m, up from $4.4m in November 2020.

Hollywood Casino’s share of taxable receipts amounted to $2.9m, with The Greenbrier at $2.4m, Mountaineer at $517,526, Mardi Gras at $275,987 and Wheeling at $211,341.

Gamingintelligence

Denmark’s regulated gambling market contracted in October, with strong growth in land-based casino revenue failing to offset declines across all other segments.

Total gross gaming revenue (GGR) from betting, online gaming, gaming machines and retail casinos amounted to DKK525.0m (€70.6m) in October, a fall of 25.6 per cent versus October 2020.

The land-based casino segment grew GGR by 18.4 per cent in October to DKK38.0m, while GGR from gaming machines fell by 9.6 per cent year-on-year to DKK115.0m. Online casino GGR for the month was 0.2 per cent lower than a year ago at DKK241m, while sports betting GGR fell by 56.8 per cent to just DKK131.0m.

For the first ten months of the year, GGR across all reported segments amounted to DKK5.07bn (€681.7m), up from DKK4.97bn (€667.6m) a year ago, with betting contributing the largest share of the total at DKK1.95bn, an increase of 4.2 per cent year-on-year.

Online casino GGR grew 13.7 per cent in the ten-month period to DKK2.33bn, helping to offset a 28.1 per cent fall in gaming machines revenue to DKK610.0m and a 12.8 per cent fall in GGR from land-based casinos to DKK1173.0m.

Netherlands gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has investigated 22 online gaming affiliates who are active in the recently regulated market, with more than half of them found to be promoting unlicensed gambling.

Fifteen of the 22 affiliate websites violated the Gambling Act, including 13 which have been, or soon will be, served with a desist order and penalty.

Two investigations are ongoing and a number of websites have switched to promoting licensed operators, the regulator said.

KSA chairman René Jansen also provided an update this week on the state of the newly regulated online gaming market, upping the full-year forecast gross gaming revenue to €814m from the previously forecast figure of €580m.

Jansen said that it is still too early to draw any conclusions from the market bit it is clearly a lot bigger than expected. He also noted that most players have found their way to the regulated market, with monitoring showing that 83.6 per cent of time spent in October by Dutch players on gambling websites was with legal providers.