Connecticut recently released a comprehensive study revealing intriguing insights into the state’s gambling landscape. The research, conducted by Gemini Research and led by University of Massachusetts professor Rachel Volberg, indicates that only 10% of Connecticut residents engage in sports wagering or online games. However, betting trends revealed that the state faces familiar gambling addiction issues.

State Authorities Gained Valuable Data

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services commissioned the study, investing $1.2 million to assess the socioeconomic impacts of legalized gambling, meeting a mandate from the General Assembly. The report, posted online without comment, is expected to serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and stakeholders in the gambling industry.

This study marks the first comprehensive gambling impact assessment since the legalization of sports betting and iGaming. Surprisingly, introducing regulated sports wagering had a relatively modest impact on wagering behaviors. Data indicates that 8.2% of residents were already betting on sports in 2009 when sports betting was illegal, emphasizing that the activity was prevalent even before legalization.

The legal availability of gambling is only partly responsible for the current rate of problem gambling, as people with gambling problems existed to some extent prior to legal provision.

Gemini Research study on Connecticut legalized gambling

According to the study, problem gambling rates in Connecticut, standing at 1.8%, align with the national average. The report notes that problem gamblers are individuals with impaired control over their gambling, leading to significant negative consequences for themselves or others. At-risk gamblers, comprising 4.9%, display symptoms similar to problem gamblers or engage in high-stakes gambling.

Observed Trends Can Aid Player Protection Efforts

Although constituting less than 2% of the population, problem gamblers are responsible for a staggering 51% of sports betting revenue and contribute significantly to overall legalized gambling revenue in the state. The report suggests that nearly 71% of all legal gambling revenue derives from the approximately 7% of residents categorized as problem or at-risk gamblers.

The study also sheds light on the effectiveness of Connecticut’s preventive measures and treatment programs for problem gambling. While treatment programs are deemed sufficient to meet demand, the report suggests additional outreach efforts to overcome detrimental factors like stigma and lack of awareness that deter individuals from seeking timely help.

Problem gambling treatment and prevention in Connecticut has been quite proactive and provides a good model for the rest of the country.

Gemini Research study on Connecticut legalized gambling

Connecticut’s gambling market has witnessed significant changes, with the saturation of regional casinos and the advent of online gambling. As the state navigates this evolving landscape, the study’s findings will likely play a crucial role in shaping future policies and initiatives related to legalized gambling and tackling emerging issues.

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Traditionally, Slotegrator announced its report for 2024 and shared its expectations and predicaments for the year full of industry changes and thrilling innovations.

Research

The company conducted research among the online casino operators and gaming content developers, including big industry names such as Caleta Gaming, Macaw Gaming, SKILROCK, Turbo Games, Amigo Gaming, 3 Oaks Gaming, Gamzix, and many more, and created a report that focuses on biggest industry changes and trends in the iGaming industry in 2024.

According to the report, the games with rapid-fire gameplay and enriched with some captivating mechanics will be the most popular among the players. What does that mean for developers? They’ll likely continue to work on developing crash games since they’ll be the most popular format.

A huge 75% of players are either playing crash games or plan to start in the future, and the majority of them are between 25 and 34 years old.

Also, the developers will create new games to draw the attention of the new players. The bonus policies will also be in focus since effective bonuses are proven to be the best way to acquire new players and keep the existing ones satisfied.

The companies will focus on creating seamless mobile experiences since it is the most popular way to access betting websites and apps – and it’s here to stay.

On top of that, sports betting will be more popular than ever. The estimated revenue for 2023 is $43.55 billion, which is a 9.94% increase compared to the year before, and by 2027, the revenue is expected to reach $63.62 billion.

Esports will be enriched with VR, which will allow players to participate in the events. The VR technology in the industry keeps affecting it, so the steady growth is expected to continue. It is expected that revenue from esports will reach $2.1 billion in 2023, and by 2027 the number would be $3.2 billion.

New technologies

In the era of AI, its use in the iGaming sector will also be enhanced in order to improve the security of the players and offer a more personalized approach to each player. One of the main goals will be using AI to promote and upgrade responsible gaming practices since it’s one of the most important parts of the industry.

Blockchain technology will become even more popular, especially when it comes to delivering new mechanics and tools. Cryptocurrencies will become an important part of the industry in the future since the number of players that use them has increased – it goes from 40% to 80%, depending on the operator.

Ayvar Gabidullin, a Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, commented: “This report will be useful for beginning operators doing research before launching their first project, platform operators planning to expand into new markets or add new offers to their established online casinos, B2B service providers working on their business development strategy, and gambling community members who want to stay on top of current trends.”

Source: P. Wladimir, “Popular games, VR in esports, top technologies, and prominent markets: Slotegrator presents a report on iGaming trends in 2024″. European Gaming. January 10, 2024.

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A November 2023 survey conducted by the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) in collaboration with research company Enkätfabriken provides valuable insights into Swedes’ gambling habits and awareness levels. The data sheds light on key trends and sentiments related to gambling in the country and highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to curb gambling harm.

Effective Regulation Requires Comprehensive Data

The survey results revealed some intriguing insights into the gambling habits of Swedes. According to the data, a staggering 75% of Sweden’s population had engaged in gambling activities in the past 12 months. At the time of the study, 41% of respondents had gambled in the last week, showcasing an increase compared to previous surveys in 2022 (38%) and 2021 (34%).

Relatively low-risk verticals remained the most popular, with lottery retaining its position as the most popular form of gambling. 74% of respondents who had gambled in the last 12 months revealed they had participated in lotteries, with trotting ranked second with 25%, followed by sports betting and bingo at 15%, and online casinos at 10%.

Gambling harm rates appear to be on the rise, as roughly 10% of respondents felt that they had gambled too much in the last year. The percentage of people who played to chase profits also increased, as did the number of respondents who knew someone close to them experiencing issues with excessive gambling.

The Unregulated Sector Is on the Rise

The survey revealed a worrying lack of awareness regarding black-market gambling, as 91% of respondents did not know how to determine if a website held a Swedish gaming license. Even among those who played almost daily, 59% could not identify licensed sites. Only 40% believed playing at licensed sites had an advantage, marking a 13% decrease from the 2022 survey.

Such data aligns with warnings from Sweden’s online gambling association, Branschföreningen för Onlinespel, which highlighted how misguided regulations made licensed operators less competitive compared to black market entities. The organization notes that the upcoming gambling tax increase will further exacerbate these issues and further destabilize the country’s fragile market.

The newest SGA data highlights the need for increased awareness and education on responsible gambling practices. Swedish gamblers require better ways to identify licensed sites and understand the advantages of playing on licensed platforms. Rising problem gambling rates also indicate that the government needs to rethink its policies and focus on counteracting unlicensed operators.

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Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the Gambling Authority of the Netherlands, has unveiled its 2022 Market Scan, providing insights into the performance and regulated activities of the Dutch gambling market. The document complements the KSA’s recent industry report, highlighting the need for updated responsible gambling practices to remain up-to-date with shifting trends.

Online Gaming Is Taking Center Stage

The 2022 Market Scan is the first opportunity for Dutch authorities to evaluate a year’s worth of data following the KOA online gambling marketplace’s official launch on 1 October 2021. According to the regulator, opening the market for online operators significantly affected the land-based gambling sector, as customers received unprecedented choices.

In 2022, online gambling contributed 31% of the total gross gaming revenue (GGR), with land-based properties comprising 69%. The land-based sector declined significantly by 30%, highlighting changing player preferences. The KSA was hopeful that land-based casinos could still be suffering the pandemic’s aftermath and might recover to pre-pandemic levels.

While significantly smaller than the casino segment, sports betting experienced substantial growth, generating a 260% increase in GGR, amounting to €319 million. Online bookmakers were responsible for 83% of this total. The 2022 scan revealed that the sports betting sector’s market share had grown from 4% in 2021 to almost 10% in 2022.

Kansspelautoriteit Remains Committed to Player Safety

The Netherlands’ gross gaming result for legal games of chance amounted to €3.4 billion in 2022, compared to a BSR of €2 billion in 2021. Part of this growth is due to the increase in online gambling. However, an increase in land-based supply compared to the previous year also contributed as casinos and other establishments reopened after the pandemic.

The KSA will use this data to remain in touch with the latest industry trends and adapt its policies to match rising challenges. The Authority regularly updates its regulatory framework, recently prohibiting operators from advertising on publicly visible spaces and media. Moreover, KSA will conduct rigorous checks to ensure that operators target an audience aged 24 or older. 

KSA’s 2022 Market Scan demonstrates record growth in GGR but also reveals a constantly shifting gambling landscape. This data will be vital in crafting 2023’s regulatory adjustments and ensuring operators follow responsible gambling practices. The regulator’s continued vigilance remains instrumental in giving Dutch customers adequate protection as operators achieve sustainable growth.

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Legal sports wagering and fantasy sports participation in North America has experienced significant growth, according to a study conducted by the Angus Reid Group for the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA). 

Study Reveals Decrease in Fantasy Players and Sports Bettors Crossover

The study also highlighted a decrease in the crossover between fantasy players and sports bettors, with exclusive fantasy players increasing from 13% to 21% year-over-year, exclusive bettors rising from 28% to 34% year-over-year, and the crossover audience decreasing from 59% to 45% year-over-year. These findings indicate that consumers are becoming more selective in their gaming preferences, emphasizing the importance for companies to better understand their players and offer tailored games based on their interests.

Furthermore, the research revealed a migration of existing bettors from offshore accounts to regulated ones, with a 48% year-over-year drop in sports bettors using offshore accounts in legal markets and a halving of those using in-person bookies.

The study estimated that over the past year, there was a total of $102 billion in handle/entry fees across legal sports wagering, fantasy sports, and affiliated ancillary services. Notably, the fantasy sports industry experienced a 60% growth in entry fees from 2017 to 2023, reaching $11.5 billion. This significant increase suggests that the industry has not only stabilized but also that players are more engaged.

Additionally, approximately 60% of fantasy sports players and sports bettors pay for live sports packages or premium content, spending an average of $119 per year for fantasy players and $129 per year for sports bettors.

FSGA Chair Applauds Industry Growth and Safer Betting Options

FSGA Research Committee Chair Daniel Haight expressed excitement about the industry’s growth and the decrease in offshore betting activity, emphasizing the importance of regulated alternatives that provide responsible gaming measures.

The study also uncovered other insights, including the consolidation and engagement of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players and the importance of retention within the sports betting universe rather than acquiring new customers. It noted a decline in fantasy sports play in Canada due to the emergence of legalized sports wagering and unsustainable paid fantasy regulations in Ontario.

The research reaffirmed that sports bettors and fantasy players are predominantly younger males, highlighting their value as a customer base, particularly in terms of potential partnerships. With the market maturing and consolidating, companies will focus on improving user experience to enhance players’ and bettors’ platform usage. The FSGA Chair, Brandon Loeschner, noted that the study results would aid the industry’s growth and improvement.

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