This Week's Sports Betting Update

Hello, we’ve taken a look at what’s news, 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 

New York’s sports betting revenue hits £157m mark for only the second time ever

Mobile sports gross gaming revenues in New York broke the £157m mark in May 2024 for the first time since January 2024. The total figure came to £158.18m, just £6m short of the all-time high posted in the New Year.

May’s gross gaming revenue figures were up 33.8% year-on-year. Licensed operators in the state will also have been encouraged by a rise in the overall mobile sports betting handle to £1.53 billion. This is up almost 46% year-on-year and is the biggest handle posted since November 2023 (£1.68 billion).

Last month also saw net revenue to platform providers reach the second-highest figure since the launch of New York’s mobile sports betting market in 2022.

Click here to discover the biggest winners in the New York sports betting market.

What you need to know

Commercial

• OctoBet is making its debut in the UK sports betting market, powered by FSB’s underlying online sportsbook technology. CEO, Lei Zhong Wang, has positioned the brand to play an active role in what he described as a “challenging” marketplace. FSB will also provide its iGaming aggregation product and Player Account Management solution. More
• Groupe Partouche posted a modest 2.7% year-on-year increase in gross gaming revenues to £146.4 million in Q2 2024. This was buoyed by the relaunch of two of the brick-and-mortar casinos it owns and operates. While the bulk of its revenues were generated in France, its Swiss iGaming revenues were up 48.9% year-on-year. More
• Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) is partnering with William Hill and Betfred to create content hubs for Euro 2024. These hubs will feature expert editorial, data, live odds, and daily betting picks, enhancing the betting experience. Designed for easy integration and customisation on bookmaker websites, the hubs aim to drive engagement and revenue during the tournament. More
• Vietnamese online sportsbook, DEBET, has penned a new deal to become the front-of-shirt sponsor of Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers. The deal, which covers the next two seasons, has been described as the largest shirt sponsorship deal in the club’s history. More
• BETER partners with Sporty Group to offer table tennis and Esports betting markets to the African market. The SportyBet platform will have access to Setka Cup table tennis markets, as well as tournaments within the ESportsBattle community, including eFootball and eBasketball. More

Regulation

A ban on credit-based online gambling commenced in Australia this week. From 11th June, Australians were prohibited from depositing on iGaming platforms using credit cards and other credit-linked products. It’s the latest in a growing line of measures taken by the Australian government to prevent gambling harm. More

Technology

BetConstruct has revealed its new sports pool betting product, Pool Masters. Using Pool Masters, sports bettors can predict multiple outcomes of upcoming sports events, competing for the chance to win a share of a prize pool. The prize is generated exclusively through entry fees, so the more entrants, the bigger the payouts available. More

People news

Julie Harrington resigns from her post as BHA CEO

Julie Harrington has said it is the right time to depart from her role as chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Harrington will remain in post until the end of the year to allow a smooth transition to her successor after four years at the helm of British racing's governing body.

She is the latest in a growing line of senior departures from the world of British horseracing, with the Jockey Club’s CEO, Nevin Truesdale, confirming his exit in December last week.

Click here to hear more from Harrington, as well as news of another senior departure from the BHA board in May 2025.

This week's talking point

Industry pays tribute to highly respected independent bookmaker Mervyn Wilson

The bookmaking industry paid tribute to the late Mervyn Wilson, an independent bookmaker who died last month, aged 84. Wilson’s funeral was held last week, with many industry counterparts present to pay their respects to the man behind the likes of Surrey Racing and Wilsonbet.

Wilson was described as a pioneer and industry innovator by the head of Star Sports, Ben Keith, on social media, who was one of 200-plus who gathered at the Harbour View crematorium in Dorset last week.

Through the 1970s and beyond, Surrey Racing often led the way in niche sports betting markets. His handicap betting markets were notorious for The Open and other golf majors. After selling Surrey Racing to what eventually became Sky Bet, Wilson later launched the Isle of Man-based WilsonBet.

Click here to get the thoughts of golf pundit Jeremy Chapman on Wilson’s character and his impact on the British bookmaking industry. 

This week's insight

Exploring the multi-sport crossovers for online sportsbooks to exploit during Euro 2024

With a huge summer of sport on the horizon, namely Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics, leading figures in the world of sports betting took part in a roundtable discussion with SBC News to discuss how brands can leverage the heightened bettor activity best.

Alex Beecham, managing director at Checkd Media, claims the betting interest in Euro 2024 is almost on a level with the magnitude of a World Cup tournament. Beecham said African engagement in European football content and markets is especially on the rise.

Beecham also said the timing of Euro 2024 could be beneficial for multi-sport crossovers, particularly with Royal Ascot taking place during the group stages of the tournament. He says there’ll be ample opportunities for operators to promote cross-sport bet builders and even cross-match bet builders once the Copa America kicks off.

Free-to-play Euro 2024 games are also likely to be in the arsenal of operators’ acquisition and retention campaigns too.

Malte Hegeler, vice-president for product at BtoBet, also believes there’s ample opportunity for operators to get creative in the latter stages of the tournament. Even when bettors’ favourite teams have been eliminated, Hegeler believes this is the time when sportsbooks can tease free bet campaigns and specials on outright bets to maintain engagement through to the final.

Click here to hear more about the strategies of the respective organisations in retaining new and existing bettors during and after Euro 2024.

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