London-Based Sports Data Provider To Seek U.S. Opportunities
IMG debuts IMG Arena as an “evolution of its global sports betting business”
London-based sports data provider IMG Media has announced the debut of IMG Arena, describing it as an evolution of its global sports betting business.
IMG Arena specialises in bringing sport and the sports betting industry closer together, working with more than 250 sportsbook operators worldwide, providing always-on services including 24/7 live streaming and on-demand virtual sports products. Its data collection system ensures that the fastest and most accurate sources of data are delivered live from the action to the end user in less than a second.
IMG’s expertise in sports betting dates back to 2012, when it began developing a client and partner base of tier one betting operators and rights holders. Since then, IMG has created partnerships with more than 40 leading federations, including the ATP, MLS, Serie A, NHL, EuroLeague and the US Open. As the group’s reach has grown, it has added new layers of expertise, including ultra-realistic virtual sport products via a strategic investment in Leap Gaming in June 2018.
IMG Arena is led by Freddie Longe, SVP and managing director, whose career at IMG spans more than 12 years. Longe is supported by a senior team that includes industry veterans Max Wright and Brad van Wely.
Longe said Monday: IMG Arena will build on our existing advantages and offering to positively disrupt the market, with a strong fan-first innovation pipeline that drives incremental value to our clients and customers.
The move to IMG Arena underlines the business’s aggressive growth plans and a desire to expand our footprint in a range of worldwide markets, including the US as the region continues to regulate.”
IMG Arena processes official data for more than 45,000 sport events per year, the company clims. Among these data services are its tennis feeds, incorporating the ATP, WTA and ATP Challenger Tours, as well as three of the Grand Slams: Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. Data is entered directly from the umpire’s chair, meaning real-time, official, point-by-point data goes from court to fan in less than one second.
IMG Arena’s multi-sport streaming portfolio features a broad range of high-profile properties, including the English FA Cup, Football League and EFL Cup, Serie A and MLS (football), Roland Garros and US Open (tennis), EuroLeague (basketball) and NHL (ice hockey). In 2017, the business delivered more than 70 million hours of content and 39 million unique views.
Sports Data Provider To Sponsor I.C.E. Sports Betting USA
Sportradar gives notice that it intends to be a key player in the post-PASPA betting market
Sports betting, data and digital content Sportradar has been confirmed as Event Sponsor of next month’s ICE Sports Betting USA, giving notice of its intention to be a key player in the post-PASPA betting market..
With a global reach across 30 countries, Sportradar is the official data provider of major US sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL and NASCAR.
Explaining the decision to sponsor the conference in its inaugural year before it transitions to become ICE North America in May 2019, president of Sportradar US, Matteo Monteverdi said: “We have been sponsoring ICE in London for several years, as one of the key events on our annual calendar, so seizing the opportunity to be a big part of ICE Sports Betting USA was obvious.”
“The ICE brand is already well established in Europe and, globally, is one of the sports and gaming industry’s must attend events,” he continued. “Bringing it over to the US now that betting has been legalized here is the right move and represents great timing.”
ICE Sports Betting USA will bring together regulators, sports associations, land-based casino operators, online gaming brands and technology providers to discuss the future of the US betting landscape.
The US has a population of approximately 350 million people, and with a number of sports like basketball, baseball, football, that are popular, it is a major potential market, not just amongst US citizens, but sports fans worldwide.
With this year’s ICE Sports Betting USA being sold out, organisers Clarion Gaming has introduced a waiting list for delegates wanting to participate in ICE Sports Betting USA.
Sports Betting Legalisation Bill Introduced In Tennessee
HB 0001 proposes a ten percent state tax on GGR
The Tennessee House will soon be mulling a sports betting legalisation bill following the introduction of HB 0001 by Representative Rick Staples.
Proposals within the bill call for a state tax on GGR of ten percent, which will be used primarily to fund projects in the state general fund (40 percent), with 30 percent earmarked for Tennessee colleges of applied technologies and community colleges for equipment and capital projects, and 30 percent going to local governments for education and infrastructure.
The bill also proposes the establishment of a Tennessee Gaming Commission to regulate sports betting in collaboration with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for purposes of enforcement.
Draftkings Licensed To Open A Sports Betting Centre In Mississippi
Sports betting firm in partnership deal with D’Iberville’s Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
DraftKings Inc. announced Monday that it has reached an agreement with Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi to officially open DraftKings at Scarlet Pearl Sportsbook, following receipt of a licence from the Mississippi Gaming Commission, among other required regulatory approvals.
Opening 16 November 2018, the sportsbook will transform Scarlet Pearl’s existing PRL Bar into a multi-screen betting and social destination for sports lovers.
Matt Kalish, Chief Revenue Officer and co-founder of DraftKings said: “We’re excited to bring and offer an innovative sports betting experience to sports fans in one of the largest and most competitive gaming markets in the U.S.”
DraftKings at Scarlet Pearl Sportsbook will offer a customer experience that includes the opportunity to wager on dozens of sports. In addition, the sportsbook will soon offer live, in-game betting with three windows, giving sports fans a variety of ways to place their bets. Pending regulatory approval, the sportsbook will incorporate on-site kiosks and an on-premise mobile app.
“We are excited to introduce DraftKings, a ‘New Way’ to game for our current and future guests,” Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort CEO LuAnn Pappas said. “Our collaboration with DraftKings is an opportunity for us to continue to set high standards on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and give our players a new home for sports betting.”
Directing the Scarlet Pearl Sportsbook team will be Nicholas “Nico” Sfanos, who previously ran sportsbooks for Station Casinos throughout Nevada.
New Mexico Lottery Gets Into Sports Betting
Intralot contract extended
The New Mexico Lottery Board has announced that its board has voted unanimously to move forward with the creation of a game tied to the outcome of sporting events (Sports Lottery) as well as to grant a two-year extension on its existing online systems contact with lottery provider Intralot.
The New Mexico Lottery will be the first lottery in the U.S. to authorise a sports wagering lottery game to be available through its entire retail network of approximately 1,100 retail terminals. Players will be able to make their selections from a wide menu of sporting events made available to them together with their possible outcomes (Parlay wagering game).
Specifically, the agreement includes the deployment and customization of Intralot’s cross-channel Sports Lottery Gaming Platform along with the terminal software for the operation. Intralot will also provide the Lottery with its suite of fully managed services related to the Sports Lottery game including Risk management and Trading services as well as product and marketing services and staff training.
David Barden, New Mexico Lottery Chief Executive Officer said in a statement that the lottery has moved the lottery industry forward with the launch of a Sports Lottery game throughout the New Mexico Lottery retail network.
“We are convinced sports lottery games will provide new and exciting experiences for our players while significantly increasing dollars being transferred to our scholarship fund for student beneficiaries. We are always looking for games that strengthen our Lottery brand by attracting Millennials and other new players. Lottery games of this type are fun to play and will move us in that direction,” he predicted.
Kambi Scores Us Deal With Greenwood Gaming And Entertainment
For provision of online and land-based sportsbook
Pennsylvania’s largest casino operator, Parx Casino owner, Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc. has selected Kambi Group plc for the provision of its online and land-based Sportsbook in a multi-year agreement.
Kambi will provide its sports betting platform, range of managed services and land-based wagering experience to Parx Casino, which will later be complemented by the launch of a Parx-branded online sportsbook.
The Parx Casino on-property sportsbook is on track to launch before the end of the year, with the online sportsbook scheduled to go live following the integration of the Kambi platform into the Parx player account management system, which is supplied by the operator’s technology partner, GAN.
In addition, Kambi’s land-based Sportsbook will be installed at the Greenwood Gaming-owned South Philadelphia Turf Club, and later Kambi Group will support Greenwood Gaming with a potential sports betting operation in the neighbouring state of New Jersey
Kristian Nylén, Kambi Chief Executive Officer:
“Greenwood Gaming represents yet another exciting partnership for Kambi, as we continue to establish ourselves as the premier choice for operators looking to enter the U.S. sports wagering market with a quality product and trusted partner.”
John Dixon, Chief Technology Officer at Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment:
“We are excited to be working with an experienced, successful sportsbook partner that can bring best-in-class systems and odds making to the Parx-branded sports betting products.
“We are confident in their systems to provide timely, secure and accurate wagering opportunities across many sports both pre-game and in-game.”
Bet365 In Us Sports Betting Alliance With Empire Resorts
20-year sports betting agreement in New York State should legislation allow
Empire Resorts, Inc. and Hillside (New York) LLC, an affiliate of bet365 Group Limited have forged a strategic alliance to develop a physical and online sportsbook in New York State at Resorts World Catskills (RWC).
The 20-year agreement will see the operation of retail sports betting, an online sportsbook and online gaming at RWC, if and when permitted by applicable law, on a 50/50 profit share basis.
In addition, under the terms of the Sports Wagering Agreement,`Hillside will acquire up to $50 million of Empire common stock at a price of $20 per share in two tranches, making it Empire’s second largest stockholder.
Manny Pearlman, Executive Chairman of Empire Resorts, Inc.:
“bet365’s global expertise in effectively developing and executing world-class sportsbooks strongly complements Empire’s leadership in commercial casino operations in New York.
“This collaboration, which will enable Resorts World Catskills to be a leading destination for sports wagering in New York State, highlights our commitment to the continued growth of Resorts World Catskills, as well as our dedication to working with the best, most innovative pioneers in the industry to provide world-class gaming options.”
Simon Betteley, President of Hillside (New York) LLC, a bet365 affiliate:
“This landmark agreement, which combines Empire’s gaming operating skill with our expertise in providing best-in-class online sports betting, allows bet365 to tap into what we believe will be one of the most significant online and sportsbook markets in the United States”.
Following its initial investment, Hillside will own approximately 4.9 percent of Empire’s outstanding common stock. Pursuant to the Sports Wagering Agreement, the parties expect to use the bet365 brand and online consumer facing sports betting and digital platform.
Brilliant October For New Jersey Sports Betting
The Garden State sets new sports betting turnover record
Figures released Thursday by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) show that in October the Garden State set new turnover records in sports betting as New Jersey-licensed sports betting operators reported handle of $260.7 million, a record 41 percent rise on September 2018 and almost treble that achieved in August this year.
That translated into revenue of $11.7 million, down from September’s $24 million as hold dropped more than two full points on ‘completed’ wagers. Punters took a bigger bite out of the sportsbooks than usual, cutting revenue by more than half month-over-month.
Overall that spells a 4.4 percent hold, down from 13 percent in September 2018.
The rise in betting handle is almost entirely attributable to the mobile/online sector, which grew from $105 million in September to $174.4 million in October. On-site sports betting inched up from $79 million in the prior month to $86.3 million.
Online was again a stellar performer in October sports betting, contributing $174.4 million to overall turnover vs. the $86.3 million delivered by the retail vertical. Compared with September 2018 online turnover growth soared over 65 percent, whilst the rate for retail rose just over 9 percent.
Top online sports betting performer was Resorts Digital with its DraftKings and BetStars partners on $5 million in wagering revenue for October, with closest rivals Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks, trailing on $3.5 million and $1.2 million.
October’s numbers bring sports betting gross revenue to $52 million in New Jersey since legalised sports betting launched mid-year, and on a YTD basis overall turnover has reached just over $597 million, with $301 million of that delivered from digital channels.
Neighbouring Delaware’s performance was not as good; its three casino licensees recorded turnover of $14.7 million and revenue of $448,000 in October, a decline when compared to September 2018’s $16.8 million in turnover and revenue of $3.15 million.
Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway have since June this year recorded turnover of $54.5 million and revenue of $5.64 million.