Indiana published data about the performance of its sports betting industry in December. The industry recorded favorable revenues despite a noticeable handle drop.

Indiana Publishes Data about the Performance of Its Sports Betting Industry

The Hoosier State reported that its sports betting industry posted a slight decline. According to official data, the vertical recorded a handle of $431.4 million for the period. This figure represents a 4.6% month-on-month increase from November when the industry earned $452.3 million. It also outlines a 6.8% year-on-year decline from December 2021 when the vertical reported handle of $463 million.

Despite the lower handle, sports betting operators in Indiana actually recorded increased revenues for the period. Sportsbooks posted adjustable gross revenue of $42.7 million for December. This figure shows a stellar increase of 65.6% from the $25.8 million the industry earned in December 2021. It also highlights a slight 6.8% month-on-month increase from the $40 million recorded in November 2022.

Thanks to the great performance of sports betting in the Hoosier State, sportsbooks contributed $4.1 million to local taxes. Meanwhile, Indiana‘s sports betting handle for the entire 2022 sat at $4.4 billion for the entire 2022.

Additional Notes about Sports Betting in December

Taking a look at which sports disciplines performed the best, we see that football continues to be the fan-favorite in Indiana. The beloved sport was singlehandedly responsible for over a quarter of the total December handle, with fans wagering over $136.2 million on their favorite teams and players.

Basketball was not far behind, posting a handle of $130 million across all sports betting operators in the state. Meanwhile, $119 million in bets was placed on parlay bets and another $46 million was wagered on other sports.

The report noted that Blue Chip Casino and its partner FanDuel was the fan-favorite operator, recording a total handle of $138.3 million. This translated into $16 million in revenue. Meanwhile, the DraftKings sportsbook at the Ameristar Casino recorded handle of $137.6 million and revenue of $12.7 million. Coming up third is Belterra Casino another company partnering with FanDuel. It earned $5.1 million from a handle of $42.8 million.

In the meantime, Hoosiers continue to push for the legalization of online casino games in the state. Local lawmakers hope to expand the state’s gambling market in 2023 and introduce new verticals. If everything goes according to plan, legal online casinos and racinos may become a reality in a few months. The approximate date for the launch of online gambling – if it‘s approved – is September 1, 2023.

Leading global gambling company 888 Holdings saw a surprising decline in revenue in the fourth quarter despite a World Cup boost

888 explained the slight dip in revenue with the new online gambling regulations in the UK, regarding the quarter with optimism despite the disappointing metrics. The company’s retail segment performed well, recording a modest bump in revenue. However, it was not enough to outweigh a dip in online earnings. 888’s financial situation remains stable, but the recent financial results may herald looming trouble.

Recent Results Continue Q3’s Trends

888 Holdings PLC is the parent company of a variety of gambling brands. The recent acquisition of William Hill significantly boosted its global reach, cementing its status as one of the leading names in the gambling world. However, recent financial reports have not delivered the stunning profits one might associate with such an industry leader.

The most recent dip in revenue continues the trend from the third quarter, which saw 888’s year-on-year revenue drop by 7% to £484 million ($546.5 million). CEO Itai Pazner justified the results with the instability following the William Hill acquisition and the strict UK online player safety measures. Despite his optimism, the worrying trend appears to be stretching into Q4.

The Online Segment Suffered the Most

Fourth quarter revenue to 31 December dropped by 2.6% to GBP458 million ($557.5 million). Yearly declined by 3% to GBP1.85 billion ($2.25 billion) from GBP1.91 billion ($2.33 billion). While online profits remained consistent with the previous quarter, they shrunk by 5% compared to last year, sitting at £326 million ($396.4 million) for Q4.

Retail revenues grew by 5% year on year, reaching £131 million (159.3 million), but the rally was not enough to offset the online segment’s lacking performance. 888 again blamed the stricter UK regulations, noting that other regulated countries recorded strong performances. CEO Pazner lauded the company’s progress towards its strategic roadmap, disregarding any notion of upcoming difficulties.

Revenues during the fourth quarter saw continued strong trading in retail and a robust performance online.

Itai Pazner, 888 Holdings CEO

888 also announced that CFO Yariv Dafna would leave the company after the end of the 2022 fiscal year on 31 March. Although the company did not state a reason for his departure and thanked him for his contributions, the announcement’s timing implies that the disappointing financial performance may have been a factor in this decision.

Adjusted EBITDA for 2022 should still meet 888’s guidance range of GBP305 million ($371.2 million) to GBP315 million ($383.4 million). However, the most recent financial report caused some concern, causing 888 shares to drop by 4.7% to 89.14p. Such hesitation is understandable, given that the World Cup usually results in skyrocketing profits. While 888 is not in immediate trouble, a positive earnings call would greatly help alleviate any rising concerns.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Malta’s gambling regulator, introduced major changes to its Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018). The authority will now require its licensees to monitor markers of harm in order to lower harm rates.

Malta’s Regulator Amended Its Player Protection Rules

The MGA noted that establishing a safe gambling ecosystem is a crucial part of having a functional and healthy industry. The regulator will, therefore, use the feedback it received through a recent dedicated consultation process and use it to shape a better future for the industry under its jurisdiction.

We believe that safe, sustainable, and responsible gaming is of paramount importance to the gaming sector. Following feedback received through the dedicated consultation process, the Authority is hereby publishing these amendments with the aim of strengthening and clarifying the current player protection framework.

MGA statement

The new framework introduced by the MGA will support its future initiatives and will make it easier for the regulator to add further improvements. This will also make it easier to eventually publish detailed player protection guidelines for licensees.

The MGA Will Require Companies to Monitor Markers of Harm

The current amendments focus on the requirements the MGA’s licensees are expected to follow. These concern gambling operators’ responsible gaming policies and procedures.

One of the most notable changes is that the authority will now require companies to monitor “markers of harm.” This means that licensees must carefully examine their customers’ activity and identify suspicious behaviors, such as increased deposit frequency, etc. According to the MGA, such markers must be considered by licensed companies when addressing problem gambling.

The amendments to the Player Protection Directive, the MGA said, have also addressed provisions relating to real-money reinforcement and staff training.

The MGA concluded that the amendments are based on its own research, as well as on a review of the Directive carried out by an expert in the field. The changes, the MGA said, came into power on January 12, 2023.

The regulator concluded that it is currently conducting detailed research and seeking expert experience. These will serve as the foundation of its upcoming guidelines.

In other MGA-related news, the regulator continues handing out licenses to various B2B and B2C companies. A week ago, the authority allowed BetConstruct to provide crypto solutions. In 2022, the MGA also licensed BeyondPlay, allowing it to provide locally-licensed operators with its products, including its new jackpot engine. In early December, END 2 END also secured an MGA license, bolstering its footprint in Europe.

The company expanded its C-Level management team on Friday, by bringing in an industry expert with decades of experience.

Bayes Esports Strengthens C-Level Team

In his new position as COO, Scheunemann will play a pivotal role in Bayes Esports’ growth on a global scale within the esports industry. He will be responsible for the company’s communication, marketing and sales teams. Scheunemann will also oversee Bayes Esports’ people and culture efforts and leverage his extensive experience.

Sharing his excitement, Scheunemann acknowledged that the esports industry continues to grow and develop rapidly. At the same time, he said that the ever-changing industry needs a trusted and well-established company such as Bayes Esports. Finally, Scheunemann pointed out that he is delighted to join the team of experts and help the company continue to grow.

“An industry this agile, innovative, and progressive, needs companies like Bayes Esports and I am excited to join the team on its growth and expansion journey.“

York Scheunemann, chief operations officer at Bayes Esports

Scheunemann Brings Decades of Experience

Scheunemann has more than two decades of experience within a variety of digital businesses primarily focused on the sales vertical. He is a proven leader and has held leadership-level positions with giant global companies such as Google. Overall, he was a part of the company for 12 years, but his professional experience includes a vice-president-level position with Appinio as well. Throughout his career, Scheunemann has helped foster talent which helped companies to grow exponentially.

“We are delighted to welcome York onboard. We are all excited to work with York.“

Amir Mirzaee, CCO and managing director at Bayes Esports

Bayes Esports’ CCO and managing director, Amir Mirzaee, welcomed Scheunemann to the company’s C-level team. He acknowledged that Scheunemann brings significant experience which will undoubtedly help Bayes Esports and shape its sustainable future growth.

Mirzaee added that he is delighted to see Scheunemann join the team at the helm of the company which includes the expert Martin Dachselt who holds the position of CEO. Together, the trio establishes a strong management-level team that can guide Bayes Esports to further growth, Mirzaee explained. Finally, he said that it is exciting to work together with Scheunemann.

North London Derbies are always entertaining, but this one’s gonna be special. It’s because both teams are fantastic in the 2022-23 season – Arsenal are sitting top of the Premier League table; Tottenham are in fifth place right now.

Tottenham vs Arsenal Odds

*Odds taken from bet365 on Friday, January 13, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England
• Date: Sunday, January 15, 2023
• Time: 11:30 AM ET
• How to Watch: Peacock

The Spurs Always Show Up in the North London Derby

Tottenham Hotspur are 10-3-5 in the Premier League this season, which accounts for 33 points. That’s eleven points fewer than Arsenal, who have one game in hand as well. The chances are slim that the Spurs can challenge the title, but they definitely have every right to hope for a top 4 finish.

For that to happen, however, they need to get in a winning mode. Antonio Conte’s men are 1-1-1 in the Prem since the end of the World Cup, in which a number of their players took part. This explains why they didn’t do great in the first two games after the break – they drew 2-2 with Brentford on Boxing Day and lost to Aston Villa 2-0 on New Year’s Day.

However, they got back onto the winning track on January 4, when they defeated Crystal Palace 4-0 in South London. This weekend, they’re coming back to the north of the city, which is where they’re 6-0-3 in the 2022-23 Premier League.

That might not seem too impressive, but the Spurs always seem to do well when playing against Arsenal at home. In fact, they won five of the previous six North London Derbies that took place on their turf. In those five wins, they scored a total of 10 goals, half of which were the work of their skipper Harry Kane.

After a slow start to the season, the Spurs No. 9 is playing fantastic soccer at the moment, scoring 15 Premier League goals in 18 matches. If Tottenham are going to beat Arsenal again, Kane will have to put on his best performance on Sunday.

The Gunners Need a Win

With 44 points (14-2-1), Arsenal is sitting in the No. 1 place in the Premier League. The trouble is that the reigning champions – Manchester City – are dangerously close behind. The Citizens are five points behind, but the season is long, and they seem more than capable of bridging that gap.

In fact, even oddsmakers believe Manchester City will overtake the top spot before the end of the season. One of the reasons is that the Gunners haven’t proved they can do great in big games.

This season, the only loss they suffered happened against Manchester United on the road. One of the draws they played happened in an away game against Southampton; the other one happened at home against Newcastle, the team currently occupying the No. 3 position in the Prem.

To be fair to Mikel Arteta’s boys, they did slay a couple of giants this season, including Liverpool and Tottenham. However, both of those wins happened at their stadium.

Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction

We’re taking Tottenham in this game. The Spurs have a strong roster and a manager who just loves big games. Conte and his boys also seem to love playing against Arsenal, especially if the game’s taking place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Picks: Tottenham Hotspur to win; under 2.5 goals