The Government of Madrid has announced a significant reduction in the number of land-based betting shops within the Spanish autonomous community, with a reported 60% decrease since 2019. The number of betting shops has dropped from 160 in that year to just 64 currently. Additionally, gambling saloons have seen a decreasing trend of 8%.

During a presentation to the plenary session of the Madrid Assembly, Carlos Novillo, the Minister of Environment, Interior, and Agriculture, highlighted the region’s standing in terms of gambling saloons per capita. Madrid ranks 14th out of the 17 autonomous communities and the two autonomous cities in Spain in terms of gambling saloons per 100,000 inhabitants.

Efforts in Regulation and Compliance

Carlos Novillo provided further insights, noting that the Madrid government has conducted an extensive number of inspections to ensure regulatory compliance. In 2023 alone, up to 27,000 inspections were carried out, with an additional 15,000 inspections conducted so far in 2024. These inspections have shown a decreasing balance of sanctions, which Novillo interprets as evidence of the sector’s adaptation and respect for the current regulations.

“The decreasing balance of sanctions indicates that the sector is adapting to regulation and is respecting it,” stated Novillo during his address. He emphasized that the efforts of the regional government to regulate and control the betting and gambling sector are bearing fruit.

Impact on Accessibility and Compliance

The reduction in the number of gambling establishments, alongside the decrease in sanctions, suggests a trend towards greater compliance by operators with the regulations imposed by the regional government. This compliance potentially leads to a decrease in the accessibility of these premises for residents of the Community of Madrid, contributing to a more controlled gambling environment.

Novillo concluded his remarks by reinforcing the positive outcomes of the regulatory measures, stating, “This trend suggests a greater compliance by operators with the regulations imposed, as well as a possible decrease in the accessibility of these premises for residents of the Community of Madrid.”

Additional Context from Regional Data

Supporting the minister’s statements, regional data indicates that the efforts of the Madrid government are effectively managing the gambling landscape. The comprehensive inspections and subsequent reduction in sanctions highlight the commitment to ensuring a responsible and regulated gambling environment.

As the Community of Madrid continues to monitor and regulate the sector, these measures demonstrate a proactive approach to managing the impacts of gambling on its residents. The government’s actions serve as a model for other regions aiming to balance industry growth with social responsibility.

Source: “La Comunidad de Madrid reduce un 60% las casas de apuestas desde 2019”. MadridActual. May 23, 2024.

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First at the end of April, when a player walked away with $536,614.25 to their name from a progressive jackpot game, and now with the mid-May win of a player who took home $1,008,222, Four Winds New Buffalo Casino in Michigan has been in the news a lot, not to mention some of the exciting jackpot wins that dropped over the weekend.

Turning a Regular Wager into a Big Payday  

The lucky devil who won managed this feat by placing a $15 bet on the UFL Explosion slot machine, which resulted in a jaw-dropping payout. The casino in Hartford, New Buffalo, Dowagiac, and South Bend, has seen a significant uptick in winners since March in terms of jackpots.

Both people winning the aforementioned jackpots chose to remain anonymous and enjoyed their new-found riches privately, although they agreed to have their stories shared with the wider public, part of the casino’s marketing efforts. The casino’s chief operating officer, Mary Smith, was similarly pleased with these developments and celebrated the casino’s ability to cater to a diverse player base and offer everyone something that fits their taste.

“We’ve got a wide variety of exciting games and wager options to provide enjoyment for every guest’s preference and style. Winning life-changing jackpots is always a possibility,“ Smith explained. Although the big jackpot has dropped, this is an opportunity for players to participate in building it up or winning it early.

Jackpot wins have been rather frequent across casino floors in the United States. Last week, we ran a roundup of all the jackpots that have been won in recent weeks, with many of the sums exceeding the seven-figure threshold. The Four Winds New Buffalo Casino does not expect you to always bet big to win.

From Pennis to Riches

Quite the opposite. A player who was attending the casino’s floor in mid-May and playing at a Shamrock Fortune slot machine managed to walk away with a $80,874.92 jackpot off an 80-cent bet, one of the biggest margins won on the casino’s floor.

Michigan has been an interesting place for jackpot winners. Earlier this month, a state resident won the Lotto 47 jackpot worth $7.19 million, the state’s largest to have been secured from the lottery. Another lucky devil had a near-miss with the big Mega Millions payday, but still managed to win $1 million instead.

Not only that but over the weekend, another lucky soul won $1,166,351 from the Coin Trio Fortune Trails slot machine. The casino paid a total of more than $1.5 million in jackpot prizes over the weekend, according to the casino’s official X account.

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This week has been very eventful for the Australian casino sector as Crown Entertainment reached a significant milestone in its journey towards compliance. Meanwhile, rival Star Entertainment faces another inquiry into its suitability as new revelations fueled the ongoing controversy surrounding the operator, highlighting the stark differences between the two companies.

Crown Entertainment Has Achieved Substantial Progress

The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has deemed Crown Sydney suitable to retain its casino license, signaling confidence in the company’s ability to uphold regulatory standards. This decision comes after almost three years of intensive remediation efforts by Crown, during which the company has undergone significant transformation. While this marks a milestone victory for Crown, the company must not grow complacent.

NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford emphasized that while Crown has made substantial progress, there is still room for improvement. He underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to maintain high standards and cultural transformation within the organization. Crawford noted that the NICC would closely monitor the company to ensure it remained compliant.

This decision is a positive outcome for Crown Sydney, its staff, and the community – who can be sure the NICC will use all of its powers to keep the casino in check.

Philip Crawford, NICC chief commissioner

In response to the NICC’s decision, Crown Resorts expressed its commitment to continued collaboration with regulatory authorities as it fosters an improved internal culture free of past deficiencies. Crown Sydney CEO Mark McWhinnie highlighted the company’s dedication to implementing comprehensive reforms and operating at the highest industry standards as it remains committed to ensuring player safety and satisfaction.

Star Entertainment Remains Mired in Controversy

Meanwhile, the chairman of Star Entertainment Group, David Foster, faced criticism regarding controversial statements about the state’s gaming regulator. Foster reportedly expressed a desire to “abolish” the NICC. This revelation coincides with a public inquiry into Star Entertainment’s casino license suitability, adding to the growing controversies surrounding the company.

Foster clarified that his remarks addressed perceived disparities between casinos and other gaming establishments. He emphasized the need for a level playing field and denied any intention to undermine the NICC’s authority. Despite Foster’s reassurances, questions remain about the nature of his interactions with regulatory authorities, prompting speculation about the company’s compliance efforts.

There weren’t concerns around the NICC, it was a desire to broaden the scope of regulation of the industry.

David Foster, Star Entertainment Group chairman

The developments underscore the growing cultural differences between Australia’s leading casino operators. Crown Entertainment and Star Entertainment face similar challenges in maintaining transparency and accountability, but one company appears to be doing a better job. As regulatory agencies enforce stringent standards, the operators must demonstrate a steadfast commitment to compliance and responsible gaming practices.

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In a month marked by unprecedented highs for New Jersey’s gambling industry, the state shattered multiple revenue records in January, signaling a robust start to 2024. However, amidst the celebration, there was a notable occurrence as traditional in-person casino earnings experienced a decline.

Internet Gambling and Sports Betting Reach Historic Highs in New Jersey

According to figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, January saw remarkable spikes across key metrics. Internet gambling revenue surged to a historic $183 million, marking a nearly 20% increase from the previous year, reported Associated Press. Sports betting also saw a monumental rise, with earnings reaching nearly $171 million, reflecting a staggering uptick of more than 136%.

While these numbers are cause for celebration, they also underscore a shifting landscape in the gambling industry. James Plousis, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, highlighted the enduring impact of online gaming and sports wagering, emphasizing their role in providing a competitive advantage to operators, especially during traditionally slower periods like Atlantic City’s off-season.

The meteoric rise of online channels can be partly attributed to external factors such as harsher winter weather, which likely diverted brick-and-mortar activity towards digital platforms. 

Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, noted this trend, suggesting that the surge in internet gaming and online sports betting totals could be a consequence of adverse weather conditions.

New Jersey’s In-Person Gambling Struggles Amidst Online Success

However, despite the remarkable performance in online segments, the core concern remains the decline in earnings from in-person gamblers. In January, in-person casino winnings totaled just over $205 million, reflecting a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. This downward trajectory is compounded by the fact that in-person earnings continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels, a trend observed since early 2020.

The disparity in performance among Atlantic City’s casinos further highlights the evolving dynamics within the industry. While newer establishments like the Borgata, Hard Rock, and Ocean reported gains in in-person earnings compared to four years ago, two-thirds of the city’s casinos are still grappling with lower revenues from traditional gambling activities.

Despite these challenges, the overall outlook for New Jersey’s gambling industry remains optimistic. The state’s casinos and tracks collectively recorded $1.71 billion in sports bets in January, setting a new record and surpassing previous benchmarks. This achievement underscores New Jersey’s resilience and reaffirms its position as a leading player in the legal sports betting landscape, alongside states like New York and Nevada.

In December 2023, New Jersey’s gambling industry saw significant growth across all segments, with total gaming revenue reaching $522.2 million, marking a 14.8% increase from the previous year.

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His years of arguing in favor of legalizing gambling have finally resulted in tangible proof that the Bluegrass State is all the better off for choosing to go down a path that regulates sports wagering.

Beating All Expectations and Then Some

According to the governor and the state regulator, the first two months of sports gambling operation have yielded $8 million in tax revenue for the state. This is a promising number that outlines a brighter future for the industry and one that will most likely beat initial expectations.

According to Gov. Beshear, the initial projections for $23 million in annual revenue may have been underestimated, with the government now looking to rake in far more from sports gambling in terms of tax.

No specific number was cited as there are lull periods throughout the sports betting year, which would mean smaller revenue for the state in certain quarters. Although the industry is fairly new, it came at the right time, as its September launch was just in time for the NFL regular season, the College Football Season, and several other prominent leagues and sports.

According to Gov. Beshear, a total of $656 million had been wagered on sports, with only $26.8 million of this amount going through in-person wagers, and the remainder routed through mobile options. The amounts indicate what was previously a black market that deprived the state of the opportunity to prop up its public purse through a business that was already ongoing.

Of course, a part of this revenue was driven not least because people have become aware that sports gambling exists. In other words, not everyone who has been betting in the past two months has been aware of the offshore gambling market and many have indeed avoided it. Sports gambling was not an easy push in the Bluegrass State either.

Sports Gambling Doing Well, What about Further Expansion

Gov. Beshear has been fighting the good fight for many years, and he has equally tried to introduce online poker, seeing it as another important part of the state’s gambling expansion, and a valuable source of revenue.

Although the current results are encouraging, neither sports gambling nor poker are particularly big drivers of state revenue compared to online casinos, but this is a topic that has not been broached locally.

Of course, there are still issues to address in the market, specifically the lack of sufficient therapists who can help address issues in the market when they arise. Problem gambling will see an increase over the next months, as will Kentucky’s sports gambling revenues. Both are worth paying close attention to.

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Bally’s Chicago Casino, housed within the historic Medinah Temple, has made an impressive debut in the city’s bustling River North neighborhood. Despite being in operation for just three weeks, the casino attracted over 80,000 visitors and generated approximately $6.7 million in revenue, according to data released by the Illinois Gaming Board.

Bally’s Chicago Emerges as State’s Second-Busiest Casino

The figures, while promising, place Bally’s Chicago as the second-busiest casino in the state, trailing behind Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, which reported a substantial $41.5 million in revenue for September. However, Bally’s revenue places it in the middle of the pack among the state’s 15 casinos, showcasing a strong potential for growth.

Bally’s Chicago, which opened its doors on September 9, transformed the historic Medinah Temple into a vibrant gambling venue, featuring 800 slot machines, 56 gaming tables, a central bar, two restaurants, and a coffee shop. The casino’s soft launch was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city officials.

Soo Kim, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bally’s Corporation, expressed optimism about the casino’s future despite the initial challenges faced during the early phase of operation in a statement for The Chicago Tribune. He stated that it was early days and they were still in the phase where they were working out the kinks, acknowledging the “whispered offering” and traffic disruptions downtown as challenges during the casino’s first month.

One of the notable aspects of Bally’s Chicago’s opening was the unexpectedly younger crowd at the table games, indicating a shift in the demographic compared to other Bally’s properties. Soo Kim expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to introduce gaming to downtown Chicago, aiming to change the perception of the area as a viable location for such entertainment.

Bally’s Chicago Temporary Casino Soars, Promising Lucrative Future Returns

The temporary casino, operational until 2026, aims to generate between $15 million and $25 million in earnings this year, according to projections. In September alone, Bally’s Chicago contributed approximately $868,000 in state taxes and $695,000 in local taxes, with the city expecting nearly $70 million in total revenue from the casino in 2023, including a one-time $40 million upfront payment from Bally’s.

Looking ahead, Bally’s Chicago has ambitious plans for the future. The Rhode Island-based company won a competitive bid last year and intends to build a $1.74 billion permanent casino at the site of Tribune Publishing’s Freedom Center printing plant in River West by 2026. Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed confidence in Bally’s ability to meet its long-term projections, envisioning an annual tax revenue of $50 million from the Medinah location and $200 million per year from the permanent site.

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Gambling losses have reached an alarming milestone in Queensland, as the latest figures reveal that residents lost more than AUD5 billion ($3.2 billion) during the 2022-2023 financial year, marking an 11.3% increase from the previous year. 

Electronic Gaming Machines Account for 63.2% of Queensland’s Gambling Losses

The data, released by the Queensland government, has raised eyebrows across the state, reported ABC News. It shows that electronic gaming machines accounted for a staggering AUD3.2 billion ($2 billion), representing 63.2% of the total losses. Casino-related losses amounted to nearly AUD800 million ($512.4 million), while lotteries and wagering contributed AUD642.1 million ($411.2 million) and AUD313.8 million ($202 million), respectively, to the overall figures.

Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath expressed her concern over the rising losses, acknowledging that several factors could be contributing to this increase, including changes in spending habits. She emphasized the potential harm that excessive gambling can inflict on communities, mentioning that many Queenslanders enjoy betting, but she also noted that gambling can lead to harm.

In response to the issue, the government has implemented measures to address gambling-related harm. This includes allocating AUD7.8 million ($5 million) to Gambling Help Queensland in the state budget and enforcing regulations such as an AUD100 ($64) cash load-up limit and a minimum spin rate of 3 seconds per game for club and hotel gaming machines. 

Additionally, since July of the current year, 97% of Queensland venues have adhered to a mandatory six-hour shutdown period from 4 am.

The government is also actively working toward making cashless gaming mandatory for transactions exceeding $1000 in Queensland casinos as part of their ongoing efforts to curb excessive gambling.

Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO Calls for Urgent Action Amidst Soaring Losses

Carol Bennett, the CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, expressed her astonishment at the staggering losses, especially during a time when many individuals are facing financial hardships. She urged both federal and state governments to prioritize this issue and take significant steps to protect the community from such devastating losses.

In response to the situation, the federal government recently introduced legislation to ban the use of credit cards for online gambling, addressing one aspect of the problem. Meanwhile, in Queensland, the state government regulates the number of electronic gaming machines allowed in pubs and clubs.

Clubs Queensland, an organization representing community clubs, stressed their commitment to responsible and sustainable activities. They pointed out that the revenue generated by these clubs, including those without gaming machines, benefits local organizations and essential community initiatives.

Meanwhile, in July the Palaszczuk Government in Queensland announced a new initiative during Gambling Harm Awareness Week to address excessive gambling and promote support services, partnering with Queensland Cricket to raise awareness of gambling harm and sports betting risks.

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It has been more than a year since the authorities in Ontario decided to open the gaming sector in the province to private operators, so it’s time to have a look at this new and booming market and see how the online casinos and sportsbooks have adapted to the challenges.

Dozens of Operators and Brands

The market in Ontario opened on April 4, 2022, as the provincial government finally acknowledged that having a state monopoly in this industry was not beneficial. Plenty of people in Ontario had already been placing their wagers on offshore gaming sites, which were operating in a legal gray area.

After the market officially opened most private operators applied for licenses from iGaming Ontario, the local government agency that is in charge of the online gambling market in Canada’s most populous province. At the end of the first quarter of 2023 iGaming Ontario reported that there were 46 different companies already licensed to operate in the province, with 71 different online gaming brands.

Among these operators we have seen big brands from Europe which tried to get in on the action, sports media brands which have tried to get into sports betting, and land-based casinos which aimed to grow their business online.

So far the brand leading the sports betting and online gambling market in Ontario seems to be Bet365, a big European brand, while in second place we find PokerStars and FanDuel, two big brands operated by Flutter Entertainment, a global giant in this industry.

North America’s Largest Single Market by Revenue

During the first quarter of 2023, the province of Ontario saw over 14 billion Canadian dollars being wagered online by 920,000 customers of online casinos and sportsbooks. That led to gaming revenue of 545 million dollars, making Ontario the largest single market by revenue in North America.

Most of the operators that made the transition from the gray market to the regulated one did have the chance to hit the ground running as they already had solid databases of users and a loyal customer base. It was quite confusing for some of the users at first as they had to go through new KYC and AML procedures, but things got sorted out fairly quickly.

A particularity of the Ontario market is the popularity of online casinos, which have dominated the industry since the market opened in April 2022. In fact, during the first quarter of 2023, around 83 percent of the total handle registered by operators in Ontario came from iGaming, amounting to 11.6 billion dollars. In terms of revenue, 72 percent went to iGaming operators for a total of 392 million dollars.

Revenue hit new heights in each quarter since the market opened, with the 545 million reported at the end of the first quarter of 2023 representing a fifth consecutive quarterly record. We will most likely see a growing number of operators for a while but at some point the competition will most likely lead to some companies being driven off the market while others will consolidate their positions.

Source: “Ontario: The state of play“. iGaming Business. September 1, 2023.

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The leading sports technology company delivering unique experiences for sports fans and bettors, Sportradar Group AG, released its latest financial results, revealing details regarding its performance for the second quarter of 2023. Results emerged Wednesday, revealing strong revenue growth and an increase in adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Overall, Sportradar’s revenue in Q2 2023 hit €216.4 million ($237.8 million). A year-over-year comparison to the €177.2 million ($194.7 million) in revenue reported for the same period in 2022, shows that this year, the revenue grew by 22%.

Another strong growth was observed in adjusted EBITDA, considering it hit €40.1 million ($44.1 million) for the second quarter of this year. A comparison to the Q2 2022 period, when adjusted EBITDA halted at €27.6 million ($30.3 million), reveals growth of 46% this year. Judging by the latest report, the adjusted EBITDA margin increased slightly from 16% in Q2 2022 to 19% in Q2 2023.

While revenue and EBITDA increased for the second quarter of this year, Sportradar revealed that its profit for the period sustained a serious hit. Profits in Q2 this year fell to €30,000 ($32,300), down by 100% from the €22.8 million ($25.1 million) result reported for Q2 last year. In its latest trading update, the company revealed that this was the result of “a net negative impact from foreign exchange rates.”

In Q2, the Company Signed Multiple Strategic Deals

Besides the financial results, Sportradar highlighted multiple achievements during the latest trading period. The company confirmed that it continues to expand its presence in the US by expanding its long-term agreement with Caesar’s Entertainment. This collaboration designated the company as the official supplier of betting data from major sports leagues, including NHL, MLB and NBA.

Carsten Koerl, Sportradar’s CEO, shared his excitement about the latest results. He spoke about the strong performance the company demonstrated during the first half of this year and predicted that this growth will culminate in a record-setting revenue for Sportradar. “We hold a pivotal position in the global sports ecosystem and believe our talent, technology and diverse product offering positions us for strong future growth as we continue to execute against our strategic initiatives,” he added.

“We are very proud of our strong performance during the first half of 2023 and remain on track to achieve the highest annual revenue in the Company’s history.“

Carsten Koerl, CEO at Sportradar

During the second quarter, the company inked multiple strategic agreements. Back in April, Sportradar was designated as the official technology partner of the Delhi Capitals Academy, under the terms of a new agreement with the Indian Premier League franchise, the Delhi Capitals.

Then, again in April, Sportradar’s unit, Sportradar Integrity Services, joined forces with World Aquatics. Under the terms of the two-year agreement, the company agreed to safeguard international water polo matches.

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The company, which is one of the world’s tier-one gaming suppliers, has reported revenues that were 20% higher in Q2 2023. The revenues stood at $731 million, posting a significant gain on last year’s results.

Light & Wonder Reports Strength Across the Board in Q2 2023

This achievement marks the ninth consecutive quarter in which Light & Wonder has posted consolidated revenue growth, bringing the company to a $5 million profit from a $150 million loss during the same period last year.

This event was attributed to both the strong performance of SciPlay and iGaming as well as the sale of gaming machines in both North America and Australia, allowing the company to benefit from both of its main verticals. The news was naturally welcomed by Light & Wonder president and CEO Matt Wilson who was excited to see this opportunity shape up:

Our reported numbers continue to validate the investments that we’ve made in our business and demonstrate the significant progress we are making towards our long-term targets.

Light & Wonder president and CEO Matt Wilson

The Global Gaming segment saw a 21% increase in revenues and reached $471 million over the period. Gaming machine sales jumped by 41%, with the North American market driving demand and results. Light & Wonder has delivered a range of solutions for the retail sector, including player systems and table products. Light & Wonder has already been working to increase its presence in the iGaming sector via partnerships with Bang Bang Games, DreamSpin, and more.

Swinging from Loss to Profit in One Year

SciPlay performed remarkably well as well, with the division hitting $190 million, or a 19% gain year-over-year. The company’s iGaming revenue hit another $70 million, or 17% up. This was owing to the company’s performance in the online casino market in the United States, which has been expanding.

Similarly, Wilson spoke about the double-digit top and bottom-line growth that the company has driven across all of its three main pillars of business. Light & Wonder also generated strong cash flow and reduced leverage, Wilson noted, proud of the company’s results. Light & Wonder is also gearing up for an even busier quarter with more events coming where the company will be exhibiting its products in the hopes of driving even stronger business operations.

In the meantime, Light & Wonder has been building up its Environmental, Social, and Governance commitment, as outlined in a new report by the company.

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