SEPT OCT 2024
Editor's Letter
More than six years after the overturning of PASPA, it remains fascinating to reflect on legal sports betting’s progress within the
US.
While online casino is only regulated in seven states (when this changes, we could see a real surge of new players) sports
betting has 38+ legal markets in some shape or form in the US – and is seeing multiple states thrive on the mobile side.
Now, as we explore in this issue’s cover feature, FanDuel and DraftKings rule the roost. And, objectively speaking, if just two
companies hold c. 67% market share, anyone will tell you that is not the healthiest set of circumstances. There is, of course, a
list of challengers: MGM and Caesars; bet365 is always in the running; Fanatics and ESPN Bet follow, while the likes of Betfred
USA and Rush Street Interactive are currently fighting for a smaller piece of the pie.
But a running theme, of late, has been the departure of high-profile operators: Evoke (formerly 888), Kindred Group, Super
Group (from sports betting; it is remaining in a couple of iGaming markets), Fox Bet, MaximBet, Fubo and more. Even WynnBet,
considering Wynn Resorts’ prowess and prestige in land-based, is scaling back its mobile sports betting operations.
That just leaves more of the market for FanDuel and DraftKings to eat up… Is there any hope for the rest of the pack?
Of course there is! In recent conversations I’ve had with a number of industry CEOs, they’ve emphasised a simple message:
you can succeed in the US if you do things right. It’s unfortunate to say but several of the operators in the list above simply did
not enter the US with the right strategy. It’s something Betfred USA CEO Kresimir Spajic, consultant Stephen Crystal, lawyers
Jeff Ifrah and Marc Balestra emphasise in our cover feature: that big companies with massive resources entered a hypothetical
singular ‘US market’ with expectations of X investment returning Y profit.
With high acquisition costs and a different set of consumer preferences to Europe, we are seeing a very different reality. But
there is a market there waiting to be attacked with the correct strategy. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, recent revenue figures
have shown a small decline in land-based gaming but huge yearly growth in iGaming and online sports betting.
These states are two of the most mature in the US in terms of mobile gaming and show that there is a growing sea of
players looking to wager online. Do we really believe these customers would say no to a wider choice of operators to bet with?
Yes, the US is an expensive region. But is it an impossible one…? Before PASPA, it was indeed a legal impossibility. Now,
however, the first wave of failed imports to online US sports betting can only serve as a lesson. Don’t just recruit based on
reputation, don’t be wasteful with your advertising, listen to your customer and, overall, bet smart. Several brands are still
standing strong; there is no reason they can’t have company.
Elsewhere this issue, we speak with high-profile operator CEOs – Vlad Kaltenieks at BoyleSports and Anna Johnson at
Svenska Spel. We also have a host of high-calibre contributions, ranging from a legal update on deposit limits in Germany from
Dr Joerg Hofmann, to an interview on free-play research with Dr Anthony Lucas from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Our coverage in this issue extends to gaming around the globe, with market focuses on Alberta, Australia and South Africa,
while our roundtable talks all things slot themes – followed by one of our busiest Insiders sections ever. Happy reading!
TP, Editor
Facing Facts: Analysing North American sports betting and iGaming operators performance in 2024
How have sports betting and iGaming in North America been developing and how successful have different operators been in different states so far this year? Gambling Insider investigates...
Taking Stock: A guide to land-based operator and supplier prices
Gambling Insider tracks land-based operator and supplier prices. Stock prices are taken across a six-month period (March 2024 to August 2024) – and from the close of the first available date of the month
Previewing G2E 2024 in Las Vegas
The Global Gaming Expo returns to the Venetian Las Vegas for its 24th year and Gambling Insider previews what to expect at the US’ biggest gaming trade show
Preview: Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2025
The gaming industry’s most prestigious Awards ceremony takes on a new form in Europe, making its debut in the Catalan capital of Barcelona
Cover Feature: Evaluating the state of US online gaming
With insights from Kresimir Spajic, Stephen Crystal, Mark Balestra and Jeff Ifrah, Gambling Insider assesses the state of US online gaming. As some decide to leave the space, others are in pole position to capitalise…
BoyleSports CEO: Global expansion, branding and more
Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole speaks with BoyleSports CEO Vlad Kaltenieks about his time in the role so far, global expansion branding and more
Svenska Spel CEO: Taking on the role of CEO, land-based casino challenges and more
Anna Johnson, Svenska Spel’s new Group Chief Executive, speaks with Tim Poole about succeeding Patrik Hofbauer, land-based casino challenges and reporting “healthy” gaming revenue in a new way
Dr Joerg Hofmann: Exploring how regulators can ensure effective gambling limits
Dr Joerg Hofmann, Gambling Insider regular contributor and Partner at Melchers Law, discusses gambling limits – be they stake, deposit or loss– and the balance that must be struck by regulators to ensure their effectiveness. Hofmann’s ideas can be applied industry-wide, but his main focus is his home market of Germany
We the Bookie Q&A: Bringing new ideas to the market
Gambling Insider regular Paul Sculpher catches up with We the Bookie Founder Malcolm Wilkinson, discussing the brand’s rebate system and bringing new ideas to the market
Market Focus: Alberta - Understanding the process of regulating online gaming
With Alberta set to follow in Ontario’s regulatory footsteps, Gambling Insider sat down with Ontario-based gaming law expert, Don Bourgeois, who explains exactly what goes into the process of provincial development when it comes to regulating online gaming
Market Focus: Australia - Assessing the regulatory state of play Down Under
Australia’s market is one-of-a-kind. Director of Gambling Treatment & Research Clinic, Sally Gainsbury and Addisons Gambling, Commercial & IP Partner, Jamie Nettleton, speak to Gambling Insider about the regulatory state of play Down Under
Market Focus: South Africa - An emerging and established market
Gaming lawyer Garron Whitesman explains why the South African market falls under both the emerging and established categories – and what that means moving forward
Exploring how to make a successful entry into the Latin American gaming market
Galaxsys SVP Sales and Business Development, Gil Soffer, unpicks the challenges, nuances and non-negotiables of successful entry into Latin America’s gaming market
Analysing the state of casino free play offers
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Professor Anthony Lucas, Ph.D, explains his latest research into declining the efficiency of free play, and how casinos can better spend their, with Staff Writer Beth Turner
Roundtable: Delving into the impact of slot themes
Industry experts answer Gambling Insider’s burning questions on all things related to slot themes including Bragg Gaming, Novomatic, ELA Games, Onlyplay and FBM
Novomatic: New products and latest industry trends
Novomatic AG VP Global Sales/VP Product Management Thomas Schmalzer discusses the company’s new products, as well as some of the latest industry trends
DS Virtual Gaming: The appeal of virtual gaming
Head of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming, Araksi Sargsyan, talks through the provider’s offerings and the latest trends in the virtual gaming industry
SportGenerate: Putting people at the centre
SportGenerate CEO Simon Westbury rejoins Gambling Insider to discuss upcoming innovations, and explain why people are at the heart of everything the supplier does
Interblock: Weighting up public vs private in today's market
Interblock Global CEO John Connelly discusses the shift towards beta testing, and the pros and cons of public vs private in today's market
Amelco: How to keep sports bettors engaged
Head of Business Development at Amelco, Brandon Walker, speaks to Gambling Insider about the supplier's new iGaming solution, microbetting and much more
Habanero: The importance of being adaptable
Habanero’s Head of Business Development, Arcangelo Lonoce, sits down with Gambling Insider to explain why adaptability is the cornerstone of the supplier’s recent success
Betcore: Expanding presence in the global market
Betcore CEO Peter Korpusenko speaks exclusively to Gambling Insider about the group's key brands and the process of continental expansion
Final Word: Data.Bet - The importance of diversification within esports betting
Data.Bet Head of Esports Bogdan Holovnov underscores the importance of diversification within esports betting
