This Week's Sports Betting Update
Spotlight Sports Group
Evolved from the Racing Post, we deliver distinctive sports betting experiences
Hello, we’ve taken a look at what’s new, trending and being talked about in the sports betting world this week. Grab a coffee, take five minutes and we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.
One big story
UK’s provisional gambling tax intake rises 11% in H1 2022-23
The provisional tax intake for betting and gaming in the UK during H1 2022-23 is up 11% year-on-year to £1.6 billion.
Lottery Duty accounts for 30% of the overall figure, while Remote Gaming Duty contributes 28% of the total. Interestingly, both of these contributors fell year-on-year in absolute terms and as a percentage of the overall intake.
The decline in Remote Gaming Duty is said to be a reflection of shifting trends in iGaming. Revenue totals across several of the UK’s most established iGaming operators were down in Q2 2022. The cost-of-living crisis and the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the UK government’s gambling white paper were cited as reasons for the deterioration.
Click here to discover which gambling duties increased year-on-year in H1 2022-23.
What you need to know
Commercial
Regulation
The flagship sports betting brands under the Flutter Entertainment umbrella in the UK have been awarded the gold standard for their approach to safe and sustainable betting. GamCare has awarded its Advanced Safer Gambling Standard to Betfair, Paddy Power and Sky Betting and Gaming following a comprehensive assessment of their operations. More
Technology
Last month, the Italian parliament voted to pass long-awaited technical reforms to the nation’s sports betting industry. The vote permitted the use of cash-out functionality by bookmakers licensed to serve in Italy. Malta-based sports betting software provider Altenar has since unveiled its custom Cash Out product, making it readily available to all its B2B partners in Italy. More
People news
Paul Archer appointed to head up BetVictor’s marketing division
BetVictor have confirmed the appointment of Paul Archer as their new head of marketing. Archer has been involved in marketing throughout the iGaming industry for the best part of a decade, having started out as head of affiliates at the now-defunct PKR online poker room.
He has since enjoyed spells with Entain, DraftKings and BetBull. In the latter role, Archer served for over five years as marketing director. In November 2020, Archer became marketing director at the Gibraltar-based Wynn Interactive, before making the switch to fellow Gibraltar-based BetVictor.
Archer will oversee marketing campaigns across BetVictor, as well as subsidiaries talkSPORT BET, Parimatch and Heart Bingo.
Click here to get the thoughts of Archer on his arrival at BetVictor.
This week's talking point
Recommended by LinkedIn
New research studies provide food for thought for bookmakers
Betting operators in Britain are digesting the latest consumer research surveys of bettors to improve consumer protections off their own backs. KPMG recently assessed consumer protections offered by online services, including online gambling. Meanwhile, YouGov surveyed consumers on the topic of gambling.
KPMG conducted its assessments on behalf of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EBGA), reviewing online services in the UK and Danish markets. It found that operators deemed customer safety to be of the utmost importance, while its data protection measures had detailed information spanning both jurisdictions.
At the other end of the spectrum, YouGov’s Global Gambling Report 2022 showed a rather bleaker picture. Following its review of bettors in 18 regulated countries, 71% of respondents in the UK believe gambling sponsorships and advertising deals are too prominent.
In addition, 78% of consumers feel that online sportsbooks do not care about their customers’ wellbeing.
Click here to learn more about the potential implications for operators based on the findings of KPMG and YouGov.
This week's insight
Affiliates eye opportunities in the up-and-coming market in Latin America
At this week's SBC Latinoamérica Summit, industry leaders discussed the opportunities that the Latin American market presents as regulations start to shift from strictly land-based gaming to allowing online operators.
Leading companies in the sports betting and iGaming affiliate space believe that South American markets are close to being regulated, opening new commercial horizons.
Catena Media's chief executive officer Michael Daly said “Our view is that Latin America is an up-and-coming market. It’s probably been ignored for too long by my company… But for us that changes next year.”
Others were in agreement with Daly but cautioned that South America will require more dynamic marketing and media strategies for affiliates.
Click here to see what others had to say about the Latin American gambling markets and which South American country will be the catalyst for others to follow.
Turning the spotlight on
Is women’s sport finally getting the recognition it deserves from sportsbooks?
Broadcaster interest in women’s sport has reached unprecedented levels. In 2021, Sports Innovation Lab found there was a 476% year-on-year rise in viewership when the National Women’s Soccer League secured a broadcast deal with CBS and Twitch.
However, Harry von Behr, managing director of sport and US CEO of Spotlight Sports Group, believes women’s sport is still in the infancy of its full potential as a sports betting product.
Von Behr notes there is something of an “oversaturation of content” when it comes to the “big four male sports leagues” in the US. However, publishers that specialise in the women’s game may have an opportunity to develop a “loyal audience” that delivers long-term value.
While competition for sports betting content conversion is less fierce in the women’s game, publishers and operators have a unique window of opportunity to cement themselves in this burgeoning corner of the sports betting ecosystem.
Click here to discover what von Behr believes to be the quickest route for publishers to enter the women’s sports betting scene in his Sports Business Journal op-ed article.
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