BetMGM provided some insights into the betting markets for the highly anticipated F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023. As it turns out, Verstappen commands the bigger part of the F1 handle.

BetMGM is preparing for the historic race, believing that it could become the formula racing event with the largest handle in the company history. Now available in 26 markets, BetMGM operates nine retail sportsbooks within MGM Resorts International’s Las Vegas properties.

According to Matt Prevost, BetMGM’s chief revenue officer, the growth of motorsports’ popularity is nothing short of remarkable.

Race weekend in Las Vegas has the potential to shatter every company record for the sport. Popularity for automotive sports in the U.S. continues to grow and the activity we’re already seeing around this event is remarkable.

Matt Prevost, CRO, BetMGM

BetMGM Provides Insights into the Betting Markets

Publishing some insights into how bettors feel about the event, BetMGM remarked that Max Verstappen’s odds to win moved from -350 to -275. Charles Leclerc’s odds, on the other hand, moved from +2200 to +1600. Fernando Alonso’s odds, meanwhile, changed from +4000 to +2500.

BetMGM also published information about the handle percentage recorded by Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Sergio Perez. Verstappen remains confidently ahead of his rivals, commanding 58.6% of the total handle. Far behind is Norris with 12.6%, followed by Sergio Perez at 6.8%.

BetMGM’s biggest liability, however, is not Verstappen but Logan Sargeant. Next up are Lando Norris and Sergio Perez.

In terms of the highest ticket percentage, Lando Norris takes the lead with 15.8%. He is followed by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez with 12.7% and 10.9% respectively.

Finally, the company published information about most bet props. The Sergio Perez to finish top 3 market is currently at +160. The any other driver to win the race versus Verstappen market, meanwhile, is at +200. Finally, the Mercedes car to win the race prop stands at +1200.

Speaking of BetMGM, MGM Resorts’ Bellagio Fountain Club will offer premium experiences during the event, including state-of-the-art dining, cutting-edge viewing experiences, the chance to see the race live and a post-race commentary panel featuring the top racers.

However, some of the arrangements surrounding the event, including the pedestrian bridge view blocks and the disruption of homeless people’s lives have attracted criticism from Las Vegas citizens and tourists.

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The CEO of Playtech, Mor Weizer, has criticized publicly listed rivals for conducting business in what he referred to as “black markets.” In a recent interview for the Evening Standard, Weizer expressed his frustration with highly valued companies that, despite seeing substantial revenue growth and soaring share prices, operate in countries where online gambling is illegal.

Playtech Stresses Commitment to Regulated Markets Amidst Rivals’ Unregulated Ventures

While Weizer did not name specific competitors, he highlighted that some of them have experienced astronomical growth while reducing their reliance on regulated markets. He emphasized Playtech’s commitment to growing in strictly regulated markets and voiced concern about rivals using funds generated from unregulated markets to penetrate regulated ones. He even mentioned that some operators are present in markets that are on the US sanctions list.

Playtech itself operates in some Asian and Latin American countries where online gambling is unregulated but not explicitly prohibited. However, the company has experienced a decline in revenue from these markets in the first half of the year as it shifts its focus towards countries with fully regulated betting environments.

Weizer emphasized that Playtech’s primary focus is on regulated markets, where they have achieved double-digit growth. He also pointed out that Playtech’s shares trade at a lower multiple than some of their rivals listed outside of London.

Despite concerns about Playtech’s valuation, Weizer commended London investors for their sophistication and understanding of the company’s strategy, particularly regarding its dedication to strictly regulated markets.

Playtech Achieves Impressive 8% Year-on-Year Revenue Surge in H1 2023

Playtech reported robust financial performance in the first half of 2023. The company revealed an 8% year-on-year increase in revenue, amounting to €859.6 million ($919.9 million) during the six-month period ending June 30, 2023. This impressive growth was attributed to the strong performance of Playtech’s B2B division, which includes Snaitech, HAPPYBET, and Sun Bingo, generating €334.5 million ($358 million) in revenues, a 7% uptick from the previous year.

In addition to their B2B success, Playtech experienced notable growth in the Americas, with revenues soaring by 43% to €99.7 million ($106.7 million), primarily driven by their expansion in Caliente and partnerships with multiple operators across various states in the United States.

Despite challenges in certain European markets, Playtech managed to achieve a 5% revenue increase to €96.6 million ($103.3 million) in Europe, excluding the UK. However, in the UK, revenue dropped by 2% to €62.9 million due to proactive affordability checks. Notably, the company’s B2C segment saw remarkable growth, with a 9% increase in revenue to €532 million ($569.5 million), supported by Snaitech’s strong performance in Italy and the pent-up demand following the FIFA World Cup.

Playtech’s CEO, Mor Weizer, expressed optimism about the company’s future, citing expansion plans in the United States, key partnerships, and their strategic agreement with Hard Rock Digital. Weizer also highlighted the resilience of Playtech’s balance sheet, low leverage, and strong cash generation, further bolstering confidence in the company’s prospects.

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Finlandia Casino, the online casino brand that has become very popular on the Finnish market for the past ten years, has announced its rebranding to “Winlandia” as the company seeks to expand on multiple European markets.

Taking Europe by Storm

Finlandia Casino is regarded as one of the most respected brands on the Finnish online gaming market thanks to its impressive portfolio of slot games, table games and live casino titles, along with numerous payment options and enticing promotions and bonuses.

These strengths eventually attracted even players from other markets and that is why the company decided to change its brand to a more internationally-appealing one as it looks to expand into Europe.

Following the rebrand to “Winlandia”, the online casino has entered the Swedish market while three other major markets are lined up: Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom. The online casino states that it wants to stand out from other brands by offering a tailored player experience, delivered with a Nordic twist.

Winlandia has a wide range of games in its offering, with its portfolio surpassing 5,500 titles from all the big developers in the world. However, the online casino also includes games from smaller providers which offer fresh and innovative titles.

The operator also announced that it intends to be among the first to apply for a license once Finland finally decides to dissolve the gambling monopoly and allow private operators to compete on the market in the coming years. Moreover, Winlandia announced that it intends to reach other continents as it will attempt to expand into Canada and New Zealand as well.

Hugely Passionate About Online Casino

Christoffer Grönlund, Head of Acquisitions & PR at Winlandia, was the one that announced the expansion plans, confirming that the online casino brand is looking to expand further into Europe and beyond.

“The team behind Winlandia is hugely passionate about online casino and delivering the absolute best experience to our players,” Christoffer Grönlund added, underlining that the company has a “very experienced” team with over 15 years of work in the iGaming industry.

“We have some incredibly exciting plans in the works and look forward to more players than ever before being able to enjoy what Winlandia has to offer,” the Winlandia executive concluded.

Source: “Finlandia Casino Rebrands to Winlandia and Goes Global“, BusinessWire. August 31, 2023.

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Several factors have contributed to the recent and sudden surge in gambling activity across various African markets. However, ineffective regulations across many jurisdictions have created an environment ripe for exploitation by predatory operators. With gambling-related crime on the rise, affected countries are hard-pressed to find a solution, or the issue will continue to escalate.

Africa Presents a Golden Opportunity

Sub-saharan Africa’s vast population, growing middle class, and increasing internet penetration have fueled the demand for online entertainment and gambling options. However, the lack of clear regulations has allowed some businesses to operate without proper oversight, raising concerns about consumer protection, money laundering, and addiction.

A recent report by The Guardian explored the deteriorating situation in the countries worst affected by these worrying trends. Official data and anecdotal evidence paint a concerning picture, highlighting the need for immediate action like age verification procedures, self-exclusion options, and awareness campaigns. Safeguards and support systems are also vital to a healthy gambling ecosystem.

Many Countries Suffer Similar Problems

Zimbabwe is one of the more notable jurisdictions, relying increasingly on its gambling industry to shore up budget deficits. Despite updated legislation, enforcement is still severely lacking, and stories of youth resorting to wagering to fund their crystal meth habits are increasingly common. With Zimbabwe’s employment rates suffering and half of the population considered impoverished, many are forced to gamble to earn a living.

Recent studies discovered that 9.6% of urban Ethiopian youth suffered from compulsive gambling. Countries like Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, and Nigeria have fared little better, with anecdotes of gambling-related crimes like theft, suicide, and prostitution becoming frequent occurrences. If left unaddressed, such societal burdens can more than offset any potential economic benefits from an otherwise thriving gambling market.

Improvement Is Unlikely without Significant Effort

Gambling in Africa often has roots abroad, with foreign suppliers and operators significantly bolstering the industry’s growth. European sporting events like Premier League football drive new products, and local athletes feature in various promotions. According to Uganda addictions psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Mark Mohan Kaggwa, the primary problem for many African nations remained a lack of enforcement.

Regulations look nice when you see them on paper, but on the ground, things are escalating.

Dr. Mark Mohan Kaggwa

While Uganda law prohibits individuals under 25 from gambling, such restrictions are often disregarded, and many children depend on wagering as a source of income. With governments in the area preoccupied with other pressing issues, only a collective effort from all stakeholders can hope to break such worrying trends.

Regulatory bodies, online gambling operators, civil society organizations, and the public must work together to establish a regulatory framework that protects consumers. Foreign companies, in particular, must be more selective in their choice of partners, refusing partnerships with predatory businesses. However, with easy money on the line and little chance of repercussion, there will always be those willing to ignore the human cost of gambling.

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These include Italy, Sweden, Denmark, and Romania, all of which will see the local 888casino websites get a serious content injection thanks to Playson, a fast-growing supplier of spot-on products.

Playson and 888casino Continue to Grow in Europe Together

The deal will not cover the full extent of the Playson portfolio, but it will introduce 13 of the company’s most coveted and appreciated slots in Italy, Denmark, Romania, and Sweden. 888casino is one of the oldest and most respected brands not just in Europe, but very well the rest of the world.

The company launched its operations back in 1997 and it has now seen more than 25 million players access its casino platform and pick from more than 2,000 slot games. The arrival of content from Playson will significantly boost 888casino’s portfolio, including excellent games to its library, among which are Playson blockbusters such as Luxor Gold, Royal Coins 2, and Lion Gems.

Playson and 888casino have already collaborated earlier in 2023, but the expansion with the new 13 titles into new markets should see more innovative options available to players moving forward. Playson head of partnerships Christos Zouliantis welcomed the opportunity to see so many of the company’s games now showcase with one of the leading brands in Europe and the respective markets. Zouliantis said:

We are thrilled that 888casino will be showcasing some of our best titles across four of the most revered markets in Europe. It takes our existing partnership to the next level and demonstrates the faith that 888 has in our games offering to deliver exciting experiences.

Playson head of partnerships Christos Zouliantis

888casino and Pragmatic Happy with Their Collaboration

The head of partnerships was similarly excited about the opportunities that the supplier would enjoy in the specific markets, with Playson confident that it would considerably scale its local presence and awareness for its games.

Meanwhile, 888 Group managing director for International Unit, Nir Hakarameli, said that Playson was a great partner to be adding, as the supplier has a superb track record in European markets.

“At 888casino, our focus remains on providing a safe and enjoyable gaming experience to all customers which means working with the best suppliers is of the utmost importance,” Hakarameli said and added that the group welcomed the opportunity to grow in the targeted markets as well.

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The popular game provider that scooped up the “Innovation in Mobile” award during the EGR B2B Awards 2022 has chosen PressEnter’s quickly-growing network of online casinos to strengthen its foothold in even more markets. 

Swinnt has already signed a large number of equally important deals in the first months of the year, including a partnership with Germany’s Jokerstar in mid-March, showcasing the studio’s goals to keep marching on in Europe’s regulated markets. 

Swintt’s Slots with Unique Mechanics to First Reach PressEnter’s Casinos

According to the new agreement, the provider’s modern-day SwinttGames category with one-of-a-kind mechanics, features, and themes will first be added to PressEnter’s eight online gaming platforms developed in the last six years, since the company was founded. 

The ever-growing network of online casinos currently includes brands like Nitro Casino, Neon Vegas, XLbet, and CasinoFest launched in December 2022. Their services are accessible to players in a large number of global markets.

PressEnter’s customers at any of these platforms will get access to games with an excellent combination of premium art designs, graphics, animations, and soundtracks, along with unique bonus rounds and special features for more wins. 

Some of the most sought-after games part of this state-of-the-art category that will first reach PreeEnter’s network include Monster Disco XtraHold, Golden Reindeer, Mystic Bear XtraHold and Aloha Spirit XtraLock, along with the highly-anticipated Book of Shai and Book of Elements slots soon to be released. 

Iconic, Land-Based SwinttPremium Slots to Follow 

As soon as Swintt’s eye-catching selection of modern slots will reach PreeEnter’s network, the classic category of SwinttPremium slots will follow suit. 

These games have been inspired by popular brick-and-mortar slot machines and they feature titles like Secret Spellbook Respin, Four the Win Wild, Lucky Mermaid, Win Eagle, Master of Books Unlimited, and the freshly-added totem pole-topping game Takutiki with three different modifiers waiting to be unlocked. 

Big Max Sevens and Win-o-Rama are additional soon-to-come SwinttPremim slots that the studio will add to its library in the near future. 

Speaking about the fresh agreement inked with the company “dedicated to delivering extraordinary casino products and an unparalleled online experience through sustainable practices”, Swintt’s chief executive officer David Mann expressed excitement for sharing their innovative SwinttGames and SwinttPremium games with PressEnter’s network.

Mann compared PressEnter’s relatively young age as a brand and their exponential growth in the past years with their own success while acknowledging the powerful line-up of casinos that PressEnter managed to attract in numerous markets. 

The new agreement, believes Mann, will help Swintt present its games to a wider and fresher audience while aiding the company’s platforms to keep delivering “the outstanding casino content” that has helped them beat their competitors so far.

PressEnter’s chief product officer Hampus Eriksson PressEnter praised their quick and successful development from 2018 onwards. He also expressed delight about the new partnership with one of the industry’s most in-demand providers of games.  

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