Author: David Randall

In 2023, OPAP experienced a 7.7% increase in gross gaming revenue compared to the previous year, a growth attributed to significant online expansion and a steady performance in retail sectors. The main revenue stream continued to be the lottery, despite it showing the smallest growth, while the online casino segment saw a notable revenue jump of 26.2%. The year also presented challenges, notably a €24.5 million fine levied by the Hellenic Gaming Commission in October for OPAP’s market conduct in Greece. Despite this, CEO Jan Karas remained optimistic, emphasizing the strength of the fourth quarter and attributing record revenues to…

In September 2023, a controversy arose over an advertisement featuring the retired footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa, who spoke about his role as a brand ambassador for BetUK. He highlighted the safer gambling tools provided by BetUK, such as deposit limits, reality checks, and time-outs, urging players to “always gamble responsibly with BetUK.” Despite its intentions, the ad sparked a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over its potential appeal to minors. The complainant questioned whether Akinfenwa’s presence breached the BCAP Code by appealing strongly to children. BetUK and its parent company, LeoVegas, defended the advertisement, arguing that Akinfenwa’s appeal to…

Standard General, an influential hedge fund holding a 25% stake in Bally’s, has initiated another attempt to take full control of the gaming and hospitality company. This move was disclosed through a non-binding proposal in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Standard General proposes to purchase all remaining outstanding common shares of Bally’s that it does not already own, offering $15 per share. This offer represents a significant 41% premium over Bally’s last closing price of $10.55 on the NYSE, highlighting the hedge fund’s confidence in the value and potential of Bally’s despite its recent financial challenges.…

In January, North Carolina announced the commencement of online sports betting, set to begin at noon EST, with plans for retail betting to open subsequently. This development followed Governor Roy Cooper’s signing of House Bill 347 in June 2023, which not only legalized betting but also outlined specific implementation guidelines, including the publication of regulations before January 8, 2024, and the acceptance of wagers by operators before June 14, 2024. These milestones were achieved ahead of schedule last month, positioning operators to start accepting bets well before the June deadline. Additionally, a January 26 deadline was set for operators to…

In a significant corporate development, NeoGames will forgo its conference call on 2023 results as it anticipates the closure of its sale to Aristocrat Leisure, a transaction valued at $1.20 billion set for completion by the end of Q2 2024. This move came after Aristocrat Leisure’s acquisition agreement in May, signaling a strategic consolidation in the gaming industry. Tsachi Maimon, President of NeoGames, emphasized the synergistic potential between the two companies, describing them as a “really strong match” whose business offerings are mutually enhancing. This sentiment was echoed by the company’s shareholders who, in July, overwhelmingly supported the acquisition. Moti…

The recent communication, dated March 8, confirms that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has sanctioned Intralot’s choice of FanDuel as a new subcontractor for the sports wagering platform. This decision comes in light of Intralot’s challenges in delivering a competitive offering through GambetDC, which reported a $4 million loss in 2021. In a letter, OLG Executive Director Frank Suarez highlighted the collaborative decision between OLG and Intralot to transition to FanDuel’s leading platform, anticipating a significant improvement in the DMV area’s competitive sports wagering landscape. Suarez emphasized, “OLG and Intralot have evaluated the current platform and believe that…

In February, Alabama lawmakers made significant strides in reshaping the state’s gambling landscape with the passage of bills HB151 and HB152. Originally, HB151 aimed to introduce a comprehensive gambling overhaul, including legalizing retail and online sports betting, establishing a state lottery, and authorizing casinos in select areas already hosting bingo-type games. Its counterpart, HB152, was designed to set up a state lottery and gaming commission to oversee gambling activities within Alabama. However, HB151 encountered obstacles in the Senate, leading to the exclusion of sports betting and casino provisions from the bill. Despite these modifications, HB151 successfully passed with a 22…

The Great Britain Gambling Commission and Sweden’s Spelinspektionen have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative regulatory efforts by extending their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing information. Initially established in November 2019, this extended MoU underscores the continued partnership between the two bodies, emphasizing best practices in gambling regulation. Both organizations are dedicated to fostering a mutual understanding of regulatory interests, engaging in policy discussions, and providing operational support to one another. Camilla Rosenberg, the director-general of Spelinspektionen, highlighted the global nature of the gambling market and the importance of international cooperation. She stated, “The gambling market is global and it…

The New York lottery stands as North America’s most lucrative, channeling $3.7 billion toward state education during the 2022-23 financial year. Mega Millions, Powerball, and NY LOTTO are witnessing a surge in popularity, jointly funneling $55 million to public schools in the state. Mega Millions led the pack with $23.8 million, while Powerball and NY Lotto followed suit with $17.8 million and $13.4 million, respectively. An amount of $8.9 million has been amassed to support commissions for lottery retailers, many of which are small businesses. Mega Millions maintained its lead, contributing $4.1 million, followed by Powerball with $3 million and…

David Rebuck, the longest-serving director in the history of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), bids farewell after leading the regulatory body for an impressive 13 years, marking a remarkable chapter in the Garden State’s history spanning over 36 years of service. Effective from March 1, Deputy Director Mary Jo Flaherty steps into the role of interim director. Rebuck’s journey with the DGE commenced in January 1988 as its deputy attorney general, offering legal counsel and shaping legislation. His trajectory took a pivotal turn in early 2010 when he assumed the role of senior policy advisor in the…