WA.Technology’s Weekly iGaming News

July 5, 2024

Welcome back to the WA.Technology iGaming newsletter, where we gather a selection of interesting and unusual stories from the iGaming world. Catch up this week with news from Brazil, the latest sports betting success, and record-breaking events. 

UEFA Euro 2024 Tops Betting Margins

UEFA Euro 2024 had the highest betting margins of all major football (soccer) tournaments this year, with a notable 17.3% margin‍. This impressive result is nine percentage points higher than the UEFA Champions League 2024 margin. The main betting categories include total goals scored and match winners, with the former having a 15.5% margin. 

High-margin matches, including Netherlands vs. France and Belgium vs. Slovakia, were possibly driven by the inclusion of star players in the ranks. Mobile devices have so far dominated betting platforms during the event, accounting for 77% of bets. The profitability of combo bets was established, with them taking 40% of all bets overall, as reported in Yogonet.

Brazil Sports Betting Secretariat to Launch in July

Last week, the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca, announced the formation of the Secretariat of Sports Betting, set to launch in July. This new ministry entity will oversee all aspects of sports betting, focusing on sports integrity. The new department is part of a restructuring process in collaboration with the Civil House. 

During an interview Bom dia, Ministra, produced by Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC), Fufuc commented, “We will have a sports betting department. It is being implemented through a restructuring process in conjunction with the Civil House. We will have actions focused on the issue of sports integrity. This integrity will cover all sports issues, including betting.”

Francisco Carvalheira Neto Appointed by Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance has appointed Francisco Carvalheira Neto as the new General Coordinator of Regulation of the Prizes and Betting Secretariat for the National Secretariat for Betting and Prizes (SPA). The Official Gazette published the announcement on June 28. 

Neto, a Public Policies and Government Management specialist, holds a Bachelor's degree in Law, a Master's in Public Administration from Columbia University, and a diploma from the National School of Public Administration (ENAP). He brings extensive experience, including advisory roles in the Chamber of Deputies and a directorship at the Ministry of Culture. 

Illinois Lottery Celebrates 50 Years

This July marks the 50th anniversary of the Illinois Lottery, celebrating half a century since its launch in 1974. The Illinois Lottery, the first to broadcast a live television drawing, commemorates this milestone with various events and initiatives state-wide. A 50th-anniversary retail tour will travel across the state until the end of August, featuring games and activities highlighting the lottery's ongoing community contributions with a large celebratory event planned for Chicago on July 18. 

Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has provided over $24 billion to the Common School Fund for K-12 public schools and raised over $92 million for various causes through speciality scratch tickets. Director Harold Mays emphasised the lottery's rich history and continuing commitment to making a difference in local communities. 

Record Attendance at Canadian Gaming Summit

The Canadian Gaming Summit, held from June 18-20 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, saw record-breaking attendance of 3,000 participants, reflecting industry support and growth in the region. Alberta's Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, announced plans to open the province's market, while Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming, Stan Cho, also attended. 

The summit featured over 150 expert speakers and key panels on various subjects and attracted over 1,100 representatives from local and global operators. Discussions emphasised Canada's gaming industry's ongoing developments and opportunities, with Ontario as a focal point.

WA.Technology Weekly

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