iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 7 - Wednesday Edition

Exciting developments in the gaming and sports betting industry this week!

FanDuel hit a new record during Super Bowl LIX, processing over 16.6 million bets from around three million active users, marking a 19% year-over-year increase.

Meanwhile, Games Global made headlines by awarding its first global King Millions? jackpot of €10,973,078 to a lucky player in Estonia!

Adding to the buzz, Entain is undergoing a leadership transition with Gavin Isaacs stepping down as CEO, paving the way for new strategies as the company looks ahead to a promising FY2025.

Read on below to discover more about these juicy updates and trends shaping the market!

United States

FanDuel has once again demonstrated its dominance in online sports betting as it celebrates unprecedented milestones from Super Bowl LIX and the thrilling Kick of Destiny 3 event. The spotlight shone bright on Eli Manning, who flawlessly defeated his brother Peyton in a live field goal contest, bringing ecstatic fans a staggering $10 million prize pool in Bonus Bets for predicting his victory. With over 16.6 million bets placed and nearly three million active users engaging in the excitement, this year's Super Bowl weekend witnessed a remarkable 19% surge in betting activity compared to last year.

In an innovative collaboration, "Are You Watching This?!" (RUWT) has joined forces with FanDuel Sports Network to supercharge viewer engagement and excitement. By integrating RUWT's cutting-edge Excitement Analytics into the network, fans will receive real-time, data-driven notifications highlighting must-see moments across 30 NBA, NHL, and MLB teams. This partnership promises to keep viewers glued to their screens, showcasing captivating storylines that explain why each game is essential and ensuring no thrilling moment goes unnoticed!

DraftKings has notably established itself as a leader in uptime during the latter half of the NFL season, achieving a remarkable 89% availability for its betting markets, outperforming its closest competitor by 5%. As the NFL Playoffs progressed, this Massachusetts-based company further enhanced its uptime to an impressive 94.2%, clearly surpassing competitors like ESPN Bet and Hard Rock. The pinnacle of DraftKings' performance was showcased during the Super Bowl, where the platform recorded an outstanding 97.6% uptime, solidifying its strategic advantage in the fiercely competitive sports betting sector.

Enteractive has forged a partnership with BetMGM to enhance customer engagement and retention through specialized reactivation campaigns focused on non-funded registrations and lapsed accounts in the U.S. iGaming landscape. Claus Hansen, BetMGM's Senior Director of CRM, expressed optimism about Enteractive's expertise in one-on-one player engagement, projecting it as a transformative element in their CRM strategies. This collaboration aims to drive sustainable growth, fostering long-term player loyalty and revenue enhancement for BetMGM.

In a major step in the U.S. market, EveryMatrix has successfully launched its first content aggregation deal with betPARX, offering a comprehensive variety of games, including exclusive titles and renowned third-party content like Evolution Gaming. This agreement marks EveryMatrix as the first supplier to incorporate Evolution's "One Stop Shop" portfolio in the U.S., supporting betPARX's expansion efforts into additional states. Erik Nyman, President of EveryMatrix Americas, highlighted that this milestone significantly enhances player experiences through its innovative SlotMatrix platform.

Play’n GO has recently secured its sixth U.S. state license in Delaware, thereby broadening its reach within the region's regulated gaming market. The company now operates in several states, including Virginia, New Jersey, and Michigan, featuring popular games such as Piggy Blitz on the BetRivers platform. With a firm commitment to growth and innovation within the U.S., Play’n GO is poised to capitalize on the increasing demand for quality gaming experiences.

Betsson Group has achieved a record-breaking year with revenues reaching €1.1 billion for FY24, marking a 17% increase from €948.2m the previous year. This growth was accompanied by a 20% rise in EBITDA, reaching €316m, and strong Q4 performance with record highs in customer deposits, gaming turnover, revenue, and EBITDA. Betsson Group CEO Pontus Lindwall is confident in the company's growth journey, citing geographic expansion, diversification, and strengthening customer experience as key drivers for continued success in 2025.

Boyd Gaming has reported robust financial results for Q4 and the full year 2024, with quarterly revenues at $1.0 billion—an increase from $954.4 million in Q4 2023—and a nearly doubled net income of $170.5 million. For the full year, total revenues reached $3.9 billion, although net income saw a slight decline to $578.0 million due to previous impairment charges. The company has also announced a quarterly cash dividend and significant stock repurchases, underscoring its commitment to shareholder returns while maintaining financial stability.

Blueprint Gaming has joined forces with Rush Street Interactive to enhance its presence in Ontario, Canada, via the BetRivers platform. This partnership will introduce a diverse selection of popular games, including Megaways titles, reflecting a strategic commitment to expand Blueprint's reach in North America. Both companies express optimism about the collaboration, anticipating a successful response from BetRivers players and further growth in the Canadian gaming market.

Brazil

Betano has renewed its partnership with former Formula One driver Felipe Massa, extending his role as brand ambassador in Brazil under a multi-year contract. Massa's involvement will include participation in responsible gaming initiatives and promotional activities as he represents Betano on his car and race suit. The renewal celebration at Betano's S?o Paulo office highlighted the mutual commitment to deliver exceptional experiences for sports fans and elevate Betano's presence in the Brazilian market.

Delasport is making its debut in Brazil, marking its first partnership in the newly regulated Latin American iGaming space, although the partnership details remain undisclosed. The agreement will entail the launch of Delasport’s sophisticated online casino and sportsbook technology, which is designed for operator personalization and engagement. Senior Business Director Unai Concha emphasized the company's enthusiasm for equipping Brazilian operators with advanced technology to enhance their competitive offerings.

United Kingdom

Former heavyweight and cruiserweight champion David Haye has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the UK betting firm Highbet. In this capacity, Haye will engage with fans through branded content that will involve monthly competitions and prizes. Highbet's CEO, Luis Alberto López Acu?a, conveyed his excitement about the partnership, believing that Haye's star power will significantly enhance their market presence.

LuckyStreak has partnered with Betzmark to enhance the operator's launch of its online casino, integrating LuckyStreak's live dealer offerings and third-party games from renowned providers such as Pragmatic Play and Yggdrasil. This collaboration aims to deliver world-class gaming experiences and solidifies LuckyStreak's reputation as a reliable partner in the iGaming sector, ensuring smooth integration through dedicated account management and technical support. Both companies express excitement for the partnership, highlighting the innovative technology and diverse gaming content that will enhance player engagement and success in the competitive online market.

Abelson Info has officially rebranded as Abelson Sports, aiming to enhance its position as a premier supplier of odds and data within the global sports betting industry. This transformation reflects the company's commitment to growth, particularly in key international markets such as the US and Latin America, and is accompanied by the launch of a new website featuring Spanish and Portuguese translations. Founder and CEO Ed Abelson emphasizes that the rebrand will enable the company to streamline operations and better serve its partners while maintaining its reputation as a trusted provider for Tier-1 operators.

Entain's CEO Gavin Isaacs has stepped down from his position immediately, with Chair Stella David assuming the role of Interim CEO during the search for a successor. The board expressed satisfaction with the company’s performance in 2024 and indicated a strong outlook for FY2025, planning to share more details about future strategies on March 6, 2025. The transition reflects the company's ongoing commitment to maintaining its market position.

Asia

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has appointed James Bidlake as its Executive Director of Legal and Compliance, starting on February 24, 2025. With over 25 years of experience in legal and regulatory compliance, he brings a wealth of knowledge from previous roles at DFS Group, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup. In this position, Bidlake will ensure that HKJC maintains robust legal and compliance standards while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape in Asia.

BETBY has announced a partnership with SABA Sports to bring its innovative esports feature, BETBY Games, to the Asian market, beginning with NBA-focused eBasketball content. As one of the largest sports betting providers in Asia, SABA Sports aims to diversify its offerings and enhance player engagement through fast-betting options. BETBY's Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Nikolopoulos, highlighted this collaboration as a pivotal step in enriching the esports betting landscape in the region.

Cloudbet has been announced as the official sports betting and online casino partner of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), introducing crypto-powered betting to PFL events starting with the Road to Dubai Champions Series on 25 January. The partnership aims to bring innovative and fan-focused sports betting experiences to PFL events, aligning with the organization's mission to establish the "Champions League of MMA." As part of the deal, Cloudbet's branding will feature prominently across PFL broadcasts and events, further enhancing the experience for fight fans worldwide.

Other Highlights

Kateryna Pozdnysheva has been promoted to Chief Client Officer at GR8 Tech, reinforcing the company's client-first strategy with her deep industry expertise and passion for client success. With a focus on driving strategic growth and operational excellence, Kateryna aims to balance short-term results with long-term strategic goals, while leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver tailored solutions to clients. As a key part of this initiative, Kateryna is prioritizing data-driven personalization in client support, emphasizing the importance of combining automation with a personalized touch to build stronger, trust-based relationships with GR8 Tech's clients.

Stake has appointed Fabio Angeli Bufalini as the new Country Manager for Italy, a significant step in the company's global expansion following its acquisition of IdealBet in July. With extensive iGaming experience and a successful track record, Bufalini aims to establish Stake's presence in the Italian market by building a proficient operational team and ensuring compliance with local regulations. His leadership is poised to create a tailored and innovative gaming experience for Italian players, reinforcing Stake's commitment to its strategic ambitions in the region.

Games Global Games Global has made history by awarding its first-ever global King Millions? jackpot worth €10,973,078 to a player in Estonia at OlyBet, achieved through the Gold Blitz? King Millions? game. This significant payout represents the largest win in the Games Global portfolio since June 2024, showcasing the provider's ability to engage players through thrilling gameplay opportunities. Both Games Global and OlyBet are enthusiastic about the exclusive jackpot feature, which has significantly enhanced player interactions and experiences.

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