DraftKings, MGM, Hard Rock Mull Entering Brazil Online Betting Market

Last year, Brazil established regulatory guidelines for its online wagering market — a move that’s expected to lure some of the industry’s biggest players to Latin America’s largest economies.

The Brazilian flag flying against a backdrop of the sun
The Brazilian flag flying against a backdrop of the sun. DraftKings and MGM are among the US companies that could pursue online wagering licenses there. (Image: Pixabay)

It’s rumored that US-based betting behemoths DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG), MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), and Hard Rock International are examining avenues for entering the most populous country in the region.

The list of nearly 135 pre-registrants for Brazilian online wagering permits reads like a who’s who of the gaming industry and includes US-based firms such as Bally’s (NYSE: BALY), DraftKings, and MGM as well  as entities tied to European sportsbook giants Entain and Flutter Entertainment (NYSE: FLUT), among many more.

For domestic iGaming and sportsbook operators, the allure of Brazil is easy to understand. State-level legalization in the US is slowing with widespread belief that it could be years before California and Texas permit mobile sports betting. Conversely, Brazil has the framework in place and is home to more than 209 million people, making it the sixth-largest country in the world.

Brazil Could Increase Allure of Rush Street Interactive

Already rumored to be a takeover target, Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI)could draw increased interest from potential suitors as Brazil liberalizes its online wagering market.

The reasoning is simple. It’s widely believed Brazilian regulators will be partial home-grown companies and those with established footprints in Latin America when awarding licenses. With sports betting operations in Colombia and Mexico, Rush Street Interactive is the only US-based gaming company that checks the latter box.

There has also been talk the operator could eventually enter Argentina and Peru. Should RSI prove successful in procuring a Brazilian license, it could make the firm an attractive target for another US-based operator that sees opportunity in Latin America.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that RSI approached multiple prospective buyers, including DraftKings, but the company has yet to publicly confirm such talks.

Brazil Could Be Next Great Sports Wagering Frontier

Alone, Brazil’s status as the region’s largest economy and most populous nation make it alluring for gaming companies, but there’s more to the story.

The country doesn’t have Las Vegas-style, land-based casinos and there’s little indication that policy will change anytime soon, indicating iGaming could be a hit among Brazilian bettors that want access to table games.

On the sports wagering front, Brazil is famously one of the most soccer-rabid countries in the world. It has five World Cup titles, is the only country to compete in all 21 editions of the tournament, and holds several other records, including games played, matches won, and goals scored.

Still, the NFL is increasingly popular there and Sao Paulo will host the league’s first game in South America in 2024. The NBA is also popular among residents in what is the world’s tenth-largest economy.

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DraftKings Launches Mobile Sports Betting Service in North Carolina

draftkings_launches_in_north_carolinaDraftKings, the famous North American sports betting operator, has launched its online sports betting platform in North Carolina starting on March 11 after having secured a written designation agreement with NASCAR earlier this year.

The respective written designation agreement was necessary for the sports betting operator in order to be allowed to offer its services in the state of North Carolina. The launch marks an important moment for DraftKings as the operator now has its sports betting service available in 27 American states. Moreover, the sports betting website is also available in Ontario, the most populous province in Canada.

North Carolina is a very important state when it comes to sports because it is the home state of most of the NASCAR industry and it also has high-profile professional teams in all the major North American leagues: the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL). Moreover, North Carolina has several universities competing at the Division-I level, attracting plenty of sports fans.

From now on eligible sports fans in the state will be able to place their bets on the DraftKings online sportsbook, which provides a wide range of markets and offerings, including same-game parlays, in-game betting and special odds boosts.

DraftKings underlined that its sportsbook platform in North Carolina is “safe and regulated”, offering plenty of customer protections like deposit and time limits, full access to responsible gaming resources and self-exclusion features. Moreover, DraftKings offers the new “My Stat Sheet” feature, which shows punters the exact amount of time they spent on the sports betting website and also the total amount of deposits made.

Ceremonial First Bet

The launch of legalized mobile sports betting in North Carolina is a memorable occasion and sports fans in the state will most likely remember it for quite some time as Greg Olsen, the legendary Carolina Panthers player, was designated to place a ceremonial first bet.

The event was hosted by the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte and along with Greg Olsen it benefitted from the participation of Zack Hawkins, a North Carolina State Representative Zack Hawkins, and Jeremy Elbaum, the Chief Commercial Officer of DraftKings.

DraftKings started out in 2012 and it was founded by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman. The company is headquartered in Boston and it offers online sports betting services and daily fantasy sports products.

Source: “DraftKings Set to Launch Mobile Sports Betting in North Carolina on March 11“DraftKings. March 7, 2024.

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Study: Sports Betting Regulations Can Have Adverse Effects, Drive Consumers Offshore

A new study concludes that sports betting regulations designed to protect athletes can have adverse impacts and drive consumers to offshore sportsbooks.

sports betting offshore sportsbook
Sports betting restrictions can drive traffic to offshore sites. That’s according to new research commissioned by the International Betting Integrity Association. (Image: Shutterstock)

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) in Belgium recently commissioned a study to determine how policymakers unknowingly impact a market and fuel activity they sought to prevent through regulations. The IBIA probe was conducted by H2 Gambling Capital, a data intelligence firm based in England focused on the global gaming industry.

The study — “The Availability of Sports Betting Products: An Economic and Integrity Analysis” — makes several key assumptions based on the review. One highlight researchers discovered is that when regulators prohibit certain bets, that often prompts bettors to seek those options in unregulated markets.

“The central finding of the study is that alongside other regulatory and economic factors — including taxation and advertising policy — there is a strong correlation between the availability of sports betting products and onshore channeling,” the report’s executive summary read.

Regulations Drive Offshore Activity  

H2 Gambling said it compiled anonymized data from IBIA members in 12 markets where sports betting is allowed. Those jurisdictions included Australia, Brazil, Canada (excluding Ontario), Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Ontario, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. The US was excluded because of the bespoke regulatory model that varies from state to state.

Researchers found that when a market excludes a type of bet, with one example being a player prop, bettors wishing to make such a wager won’t simply fold on that endeavor but will instead seek a business willing to accept the bet. In the US, player props involving college student-athletes are banned in nearly all of the 38 states that have legal sports betting.

NCAA President Charlie Baker says college player props increase the likelihood of players being harassed and threatened on social media and in person. IBIA researchers, however, say banning those bets doesn’t eradicate such wagers but instead fuels bettors to offshore sportsbooks.

While politically attractive, this study confirms that bet restrictions are a blunt and counterproductive instrument,” said IBIA CEO Khalid Ali. “They don’t prevent betting; they just drive it into the unregulated market where most of the problems with sports integrity arise.”

Along with protecting student-athletes, prohibiting player props on college sports, Baker and others in favor of prohibiting such bets argue, decreases the risk to game integrity being compromised. With a player prop, a rogue bettor seeking an upper hand might buy off a student-athlete to throw a game.

More Bets, More Onshore Demand

Researchers deduced that the more betting options a market allows, the more demand there is for the regulated environment.

In Great Britain, H2 Gambling investigators calculated that 97% of sports bettors opt to make their wagers through regulated books. The UK is home to an abundance of bets, including politics.

Compare that with Germany, which restricts in-play betting and tends to allow only moneyline, spread, and over/under bets, H2 found that about 40% of bettors patronize unregulated sports betting channels.

“The evidence-based and data-driven analysis in this study shows that sports betting product restrictions adversely impact onshore channeling and that in turn has negative consequences for regulatory oversight and taxable revenues. A market that seeks to maximize the economic impact and social protections achieved via an onshore regulated framework requires a wide sports betting product availability,” the report concluded.

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Online Sports Betting Payment Preferences Revealed Thanks to the Paysafe Research!

In the world of online sports betting, payment methods are more than just transactions, they’re integral to the player experience. Paysafe’s comprehensive research delves into the intricate nuances of bettors’ picks, shedding light on how these choices influence their engagement with sportsbooks.

Streamlined Payouts

paysafe_research_stronger_online_betting_experience_starts_with_paymentsAccording to Paysafe’s research that was conducted across six United States (Massachusetts Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), the Canadian province of Ontario, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy in December of 2023, the rapid withdrawals are a top priority for bettors worldwide. Surpassing factors like brand confidence and probabilities, players prioritize sportsbooks that offer swift and hassle-free payouts. This focus on streamlined transactions highlights the importance of efficient payment processing in enhancing the overall betting journey.

In addition to speedy payouts, bettors seek platforms that support their preferred payment methods. Paysafe’s findings reveal that seamless deposits are a crucial consideration for players when selecting a sportsbook. The availability of various payment options, ranging from traditional methods like debit cards to emerging alternatives such as digital wallets and eCash, is instrumental in catering to the diverse needs of players.

Player Retention

Beyond attracting new customers, maintaining player loyalty is paramount for sportsbooks. Paysafe’s research indicates that a seamless payment experience significantly contributes to customer retention. With 78% of bettors valuing payment satisfaction in their decision to remain loyal to a brand, sportsbooks must prioritize the optimization of their payment processes to foster long-term relationships with players.

The emergence of digital wallets as a preferred payment method is a notable trend highlighted in Paysafe’s research. Digital wallets offer convenience and security, appealing to a growing segment of bettors, particularly in regions like Italy and Germany.

Despite regulatory constraints in certain markets, credit cards maintain their popularity among bettors, especially in regions like France. Additionally, the research underscores the significant interest in eCash, particularly in countries with a strong cash culture such as Germany and the United States.

Localized payment options, tailored to regional preferences, are favored by a substantial portion of players. These LPMs cater to the specific needs and preferences of players, contributing to a seamless betting experience.

Security and Future Trends

While players generally express confidence in transactional security, continuous efforts are required to address any concerns and maintain trust. Sportsbooks must prioritize robust security measures to safeguard player data and financial transactions.

Looking ahead, the adoption of alternative payment methods is expected to grow significantly. Digital wallets and eCash are poised for increased usage, offering players greater flexibility and convenience in their transactions.

Interest in Cryptocurrency

Despite market volatility, cryptocurrency paymentsgarner significant interest among players, particularly in regions like the United States. This highlights the potential for cryptocurrency to emerge as a viable payment option in the future, offering players additional choice and flexibility.

The Global Gaming President for Paysafe, Zak Cutler said: “Our latest research clearly indicates the value of payments to online sportsbook operators at all stages of the player experience. Operators that optimize their payment offering will gain a competitive advantage when starting their brand’s relationship with new bettors. Given the correlation between the payment experience and brand loyalty, operators can maximize player retention by getting payments right. This includes upgrading their cashiers to cover all possible payment choices to meet evolving transactional expectations.”

Source: ”Paysafe Research: Stronger Online Betting Experience Starts with Payments”. European Gaming. February 8, 2024.

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Meta Has to Pay a Fine Because of Promoting Betting and Gaming on Facebook and Instagram in Italy

The social media giant Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, was fined by the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM). The company has to pay a fine of €5.85 million for violating the country’s laws about gambling advertising.

Fine for betting and gaming ads

Meta-fined-by-Italian-Regulatory-Authority-for-gambling-ad-violation-The country decided to issue a fine to the industry giant, which is clearly a huge escalation when it comes to conducting the laws and regulatory actions issued by the state recently.

The AGCOM found various betting and gaming promotional content advertised on 13 Facebook profiles and five Instagram ones, 18 in total. Since both Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same company, Meta, the company got fined.

But that’s not all – further investigation revealed 32 visual posts, both video and images, that advertised betting and gaming activities. Since Meta provides various advertising services and it isn’t just the platform to display your own content, it is responsible for the violation.

AGCOM stated that the company is aware of the fact that betting and gambling ads are illegal, but despite that it approved the problematic ads.

In total, 18 accounts are flagged, but according to AGCOM, Meta is responsible for only five of them. After the AGCOM flagged the problematic ads, the company took measures to stop advertising and correct the issue. Also, after the regulator flagged the account, Meta blocked 11 of them.

But all those steps weren’t enough – the company had to pay a fine anyway. Apart from the penalty, Meta received an official notice and a take-down order for all ads in question.

Strict rules

Italy has strict rules when it comes to the regulation of problem gambling and gambling addiction. Back in July 2018, the state issued a Dignity Decree, a decree that helped prevent and resolve the issues related to the matter, and Meta violated that decree.

According to the document, all forms of betting and gambling ads are prohibited on both social media and other mediums, such as sports team jerseys, stadiums, and other media platforms.

Meta isn’t the only company that recently got fined because of betting and gaming ads. Both YouTube and Twitch got fined this month. AGCOM issued a fine of €2.5 million to YouTube, and Twitch had to pay €900.000 for similar violations.

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) disagrees with Italy’s strict rules since it can drive the companies into the rapidly growing offshore market.

Source: Hogg, Lea, “Meta fined by Italian Regulatory Authority for gambling ad violation”SiGMA. January 2, 2024.

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