Gambling in the USA
United States is land of esports and sports betting opportunity, states Betinvest
The American people’s enthusiasm for sports, inclusivity of esports and the increased roster of sporting events in the USA are just some of the reasons why Betinvest’s VP of Business Development, Valentyn Kyrylenko, believes the American market presents unlimited possibilities in 2019 as the company prepares to exhibit its Sports Betting, iFrame, eSports and AI solutions at the first ever ICE North America in Boston (May 13-15).
As a leading sports betting provider in both Europe and the US, what are the key differences to operating in North America?
When it comes to European sports, a number of famous championships can be held in just one year, as was the case in 2018, but it’s not always the case and despite lots of engaging annual tournaments taking place it can have an impact on betting. If you look at US sports, every bookmaker will be pleased to learn the country has top sporting events both monthly and annually and as Americans are real sports enthusiasts, it doesn’t end there! In addition to this regular season, before the final they have playoffs and knockout competitions which last all year, so it goes without saying there are always a lot of opportunities for betting.
Another important aspect to note is, whereas in Europe, we often bet on one of three outcomes – a victory, draw or defeat. With NBA, NHL, baseball and American football, there is no ‘draw’ option. This is an attractive prospect for customers who can focus on placing bets on the winning team which is an important detail for bookmakers to understand when heading to the US market.
What does the US market represent to your company?
The American market presents unlimited possibilities, but bookmakers wishing to get started there need to consider their how own goals line up with the specificities of every state. Regulations and player preferences vary from state to state. Let’s take Pennsylvania as an example: it’s a northern state where people tend to like ice hockey, so it’s important to offer NHL events. We also know that this state has professional basketball and American football teams, so customers living there are sure to be interested in those sports.
Another thing to consider about the US market is that college games are very popular and attract enough fans to fill huge stadiums. This could be another interesting direction with lots of potential for betting.
The younger millennial market is a key focus for esports. How is Betinvest targeting this part of the US population responsibly?
The recent tremendous growth in esports is evident across the world. This is partly thanks to its appeal to the younger generation, but also because esports provides a new opportunity for anyone and everyone to become a sportsperson. This type of sport has a real sense of competition, so people enjoy it and have fun for the same reasons they do with traditional sports.
The popularity of esports depends on the region. In Europe, it is still not as popular as a football, for example, but in Asia, the prize funds for esports tournaments are on a par with those of tennis matches. Interest in the tournaments is therefore very high. The popularity of esports is equivalent to that of Rugby in England and Eastern European countries. Last year, the US and China generated over half the global esports revenue. These two markets are the largest when it comes to esports.
One of the most appealing things about esports is that it promotes inclusivity. Even if you have an unsportsmanlike figure or a disability, you can still be an athlete: you are one of us. I think this is a great idea. People succeed in this sport without having any special physical abilities/gifts.
You’re making waves in the esports world with your new technology and solutions. Can you discuss your strategy for investment in US eSports?
As you know, we formed a new esports department at Betinvest to develop this aspect of the business. Everyone in the team has their own experience of being casual esports customers which helps us to better understand our esports audience. We know which games attract the biggest audiences, and this helps us to design our products. What’s more, we’ve assembled a strong team of traders and analysts who spend hours analysing esports data and new information from various games. Our live traders keep their eyes peeled, offering a wide selection of live odds which are made available to the end customer.
At present, we offer odds for over 20 esports games. It’s important to remember that, although there might not be monthly tournaments running for all of those games at the same time, you’d be guaranteed to see at least six disciplines offered on our partners’ websites at any one time. Of those, the top three are Dota 2, CS:GO and League of Legends. We offer approximately 2,000 pre-match and up to 1,000 live markets for these three major games.
As for our next steps, we will invest in developing our esports products. Our goal for 2019 is to become one of the top three leading esports odds providers in the world.
What’s the significance of Clarion consolidating its US events into ICE North America and what are you preparing to showcase there?
It’s great that the ICE event is coming to North America to bring together gaming providers and operators from all over the world. Our team will be attending the event, offering our Sportsbook product as well as a variety of other solutions, all of which we are constantly improving. We understand that the US market is different from the European one in terms of sports and seasons and already have a very competitive Data Feed with pre-match and live odds for the top American championships and sports: NHL, AHL, NBA, NCA, NLB, etc. We have gained our expertise through 20 years’ experience in the betting industry and our selection of odds is very strong. It’s even better than that which local bookmakers are offering in the States, and it won’t be difficult for us to add more American sports to our selection.
Recent changes in legislation means that the American market has opened up, making this exhibition an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to seize the chance to start a betting business in the States.
Betinvest will be exhibiting at ICE North America. For more information or to arrange a meeting, contact Valentyn Kyrylenko, [email protected], +38 95 231 30 44 .
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
This month The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise honoured 186 of its total 1200 team members for reaching significant employment milestones including 15, 10 and 5 years of service for the enterprise. The event at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Ariz. showcased the impact and journey of each hard-working team member, with a special highlight for 29 employees who have served for 15 years.
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies have been selected by the City of Petersburg, Virginia to codevelop a $1.4 billion Live! Gaming & Entertainment District, anchored by Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. The Petersburg City Council unanimously approved Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies as the City’s preferred development partner on the transformative mixed-use project. The proposed project will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs and benefits to the local community and become a major new tourist destination for the City and the Central Virginia region.
CT Interactive’s LATAM team, led by Diego Verano Ponce and Ana Ruth Farías, attended SIGMA Brazil from April 23 to 25, 2024. The company’s decision to participate in the event underscores its commitment to expanding its presence and strengthening relationships within the region. The presence of Diego Verano and Ana Ruth Farías at SIGMA Brazil provided an excellent opportunity for CT Interactive to engage with industry stakeholders, discuss emerging trends and explore potential partnerships in the LATAM market.
The Colorado Division of Gambling has launched a new illegal gambling awareness campaign. The “Play Legit. Gamble Only Where Legal.” campaign aims to educate the public about the risks associated with illegal gambling and the importance of supporting regulated gaming venues. The campaign emphasises legal gambling options, including casinos in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek, as well as online sports betting and off-track betting.
Lottery.com Inc. announced the restart of its sweepstakes operations in conjunction with the WinTogether Trust, a registered 501(c)3 charitable organisation. The proceeds from the sweepstakes will benefit Street Child United. The sweepstakes had a soft launch on April 3, 2024, and is available at http://donateto.win, the successor to Lottery.com’s WinTogether.org platform.
Partnerships
Hard Rock International, Seminole Gaming and Royal Caribbean Group brands, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, unveiled a global partnership that will benefit both vacationers and team members of the brands. Travellers around the world can take advantage of accommodations, meals, discounts and more at Hard Rock and Seminole casinos, hotels and cafes, and on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises vacations based on the milestone announcement made by two of South Florida’s largest private employers.
SCCG Management has signed a contract with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the B.C. Crown corporation which conducts and manages commercial gambling in the province, including lotteries, casinos and online gaming. This partnership aims to undertake a comprehensive assessment and strategic enhancement of BCLC’s diverse operations. The work between SCCG and BCLC will involve a thorough review of technological infrastructures, strategic market positioning and the integration of various gaming modalities.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) will hold its 41st International Gaming Summit Monday, May 27 through Thursday, May 30, 2024 at The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. As a premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming.
Marker Trax, a leader in cashless payment solutions for the gambling industry, has announced the appointment of John Henderson as its SVP of operations. Henderson is a seasoned, energetic industry veteran who brings to Marker Trax more than four decades of success in delivering technology-based business solutions, leading innovation-forward companies seeking to increase their industry footprints and to solidify their market shares.
Jackpot Digital, a leading manufacturer of electronic multiplayer dealerless poker tables, announced that it has successfully completed the installation of its Jackpot Blitz casino machines at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, located in Coarsegold, California.
Affinity Interactive has announced the appointment of Scott Butera as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Butera, who most recently led AI’s Sports Information Group (SIG) business, brings over 30 years of experience in gaming, hospitality, media, entertainment and sports to the pivotal role. In his new capacity, Mr. Butera will set strategy and oversee operations of the Company’s diversified portfolio of casinos resorts across Nevada, Missouri and Iowa.
North Star Network has acquired Um Dois Esportes, a sports coverage and analysis site created from the merger of Gazeta Do Povo and Tribuna do Paraná in 2020. NSN’s signing of Um Dois Esportes is the media house’s fourth acquisition of 2024, following the recent deals to purchase UK-based SportsMole and MrFixitsTips, as well as Chilean site AlAireLibre, which was announced in March.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown unveiled its new ESPN BET branded sportsbook and restaurant on the upper floor of the 100,000-square-foot Downtown Detroit casino. This sportsbook is the first ESPN BET branded retail location to open across PENN Entertainment’s (PENN) portfolio of properties.
Partnerships
Above the Felt, the leading poker and gaming marketing and talent agency, has announced a partnership with Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the grand opening of their state-of-the-art poker room this May. This collaboration marks a significant experiential poker event in the Mid-West US, bringing together top players, personalities and content creators with regional players for an unforgettable poker room grand opening.
SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm in the global gaming industry, has announced a strategic partnership with Comm100, a pioneer in AI-powered omnichannel communication. This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment in the gaming industry as it looks to revolutionise player engagement and customer support through personalised, 24/7 communication.
Betano and CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol), the Brazilian Football Confederation, announced a new partnership that will see Betano become the new main sponsor and exclusive betting partner of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Starting from the 2024 season, which began on Sunday, April 14, the competition will be known as Brasileirão Betano.
Nebraska’s first full-fledged, newly built and state-sanctioned gambling casino is slated to open in Columbus next month, marking a milestone in the state’s rollout of casino gambling.
The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission last Friday approved a target opening date of May 13 for Harrah’s Columbus.
“This is a big deal,” commission Chairman Dennis Lee said.
The state’s three other casinos are open, but in temporary facilities. According to construction schedules, all should be open by early next year.
“We’re definitely excited to open the first permanent casino in the state,” said Don Ostert, Harrah’s Columbus general manager.
The 17,000-square-foot casino floor will feature 400 slot machines and 11 live table games, including roulette and craps, Ostert said. It will feature a Brew Brothers restaurant and will offer Caesar’s sportsbook and racebook, Ostert said.
For racing fans, the complex will feature the state’s only 1-mile horse track, though racing isn’t scheduled to begin until August 16. By June, officials hope to have some horses out on the track to test the new surface.
Ostert said officials hope to draw customers from Norfolk and Grand Island, but also from Omaha and Lincoln.
Columbus Mayor James Bulkley said that, from the city’s standpoint, “we are very excited to see it get started and become part of the community.”
The developers incorporated some Columbus history into the casino, he said.
“The location where it is used to be called Wishbones, and it was a venue for years for entertainment, and so people recognize that name, and they have kept that name for the sports bar,” he said.
He expects the casino will draw from Omaha. Although driving to Columbus from downtown Omaha might take close to an hour and a half, the drive from west Omaha is more like an hour, he said.
“I can hit Elkhorn in a short hour today, which is now western Omaha,” he said.
In a few months, Omahans won’t have to leave town to visit a brand-new casino.
At Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, Warhorse Gaming officials are aiming to open their new casino in early August. It will open with 900 gaming positions, including table games and a Sweetwater Cafe.
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Explore the future of gaming at ICE Barcelona: 20 – 22 January 2025
