The Constitution State is riding a hot streak in its gambling sector, with unprecedented gains in sports betting and continued strength in traditional casino gaming. Here’s how Connecticut is reshaping its reputation from a quiet New England state to a rising star in the gaming industry.
Record-Breaking Numbers Paint a Picture of Growth
November 2024 marked a watershed moment for Connecticut’s sports betting industry, with revenue soaring to $30.3 million – shattering the previous record of $26.6 million set just two months prior. The betting volume itself tells an equally impressive story, with $228.2 million wagered during the month, representing an 11% jump from the previous year.
The XL Center’s Cinderella Story
Perhaps the most compelling narrative comes from Hartford’s XL Center, home to the Fanatics Sportsbook restaurant and bar. After a rocky start that saw $500,000 in losses by mid-2024, the venue has engineered a remarkable turnaround. November marked its third consecutive month exceeding $59,000 in revenue – a 53% increase from the previous year.
The venue’s success story is particularly noteworthy given its tumultuous beginnings. When Rush Street Interactive departed Connecticut’s market in March 2023 citing profitability concerns, it left a void that many thought would be difficult to fill. Enter Fanatics Betting & Gaming, armed with an eight-year contract and a fresh vision for the space. Their patience and strategic approach has paid off, with the venue now emerging as a key contributor to the state’s record-breaking performance.
Foxwoods: The Reliable Revenue Engine
While sports betting generates headlines, Foxwoods Resort Casino continues to be a cornerstone of Connecticut’s gaming industry. November’s slot revenue of $30.7 million resulted in a $7.6 million contribution to state coffers, part of a partnership with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation that has generated over $4.7 billion since its inception in 1993.
The Future of Gaming in the Constitution State
Andrew Walter, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation’s director of sports betting, attributes much of the recent success to the state’s partnership with Fanatics Betting & Gaming. “We continue to enjoy strong online sales through our partnership,” Walter notes, highlighting how the combination of digital and retail presence has created a winning formula.
Connecticut’s approach to gaming – embracing both traditional casino operations and modern sports betting platforms – has positioned the state as a model for others to follow. As the industry continues to evolve, Connecticut’s balanced strategy suggests its winning streak may be far from over.
FanDuel Casino is taking its partnership with the NBA to new heights with the launch of a co-branded slot game designed to captivate basketball and casino fans alike.
Introducing NBA Super Slam
The newly launched game, titled NBA Super Slam, has been developed by White Hat Studios and is now available exclusively on FanDuel Casino in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ontario. This game marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration between FanDuel and the NBA, aiming to deliver an engaging basketball-themed experience to players.
Former NBA star and game ambassador Chandler Parsons shared his enthusiasm about the release:
“With the NBA season in full swing, I’m thrilled to partner with FanDuel Casino to launch NBA Super Slam. For anyone who loves slots and the NBA like I do, this game is a slam dunk.”
An Immersive NBA-Themed Experience
NBA Super Slam brings the thrill of basketball to the casino world. Players can spin the reels to collect hoop symbols, accumulate basketballs with varying cash values, and chase rings while racing against the shot clock buzzer. The game’s immersive features aim to recreate the excitement of the NBA on the digital casino court.
Daniele Phillips, VP of Marketing at FanDuel Casino, expressed her excitement:
“This exciting new slot game, NBA Super Slam, will bring the energy of the court to FanDuel Casino. We’re thrilled to collaborate with the NBA and White Hat Studios to offer this exclusive experience to our players.”
The Betting Connection
The launch of NBA Super Slam complements FanDuel’s basketball betting platform, creating a seamless connection between sports wagering and interactive gaming. Fans can now immerse themselves in the NBA experience through both betting on live games and enjoying basketball-themed slots. With FanDuel offering robust basketball betting markets—including player props, point spreads, and live betting—NBA Super Slam serves as an additional touchpoint for basketball enthusiasts to engage with the sport in new and exciting ways.
A Winning Partnership
FanDuel has been a co-official sports betting partner of the NBA since 2021, alongside DraftKings. This partnership has resulted in a range of innovative offerings, including last year’s NBA Swish Showdown on the FanDuel Faceoff platform. The release of NBA Super Slam strengthens their relationship further, bringing fresh, engaging content to fans of both basketball and online gaming.
With NBA Super Slam, FanDuel continues to bridge the gap between sports and online gaming, offering players a unique way to celebrate their love for the NBA.
Reshaping the Digital Landscape
Italy is revolutionizing its online gambling sector through comprehensive reforms centered on a nine-year licensing system. This ambitious overhaul aims to attract established operators while generating substantial revenue streams. At its core is a €7 million licensing fee, positioning Italy to become a major player in Europe’s regulated gambling market.
Financial Framework and Timeline
The licensing structure combines a substantial entry fee with ongoing operational costs. Each operator must make an initial €4 million payment upon license approval, followed by €3 million before launch. The government anticipates collecting €350 million in licensing fees, plus €100 million yearly from concession charges. Operators have until May 30, 2025, to submit applications, with a nine-month review period and six months to commence operations.
Market Entry Requirements
To maintain high industry standards, Italy has established stringent eligibility criteria. Operators must be based in the European Economic Area and demonstrate consistent financial performance, including €3 million in annual revenue over two years. The framework includes mandatory financial guarantees: a €750,000 provisional deposit and a €3.7 million final guarantee. Individual operators are limited to five licenses, ensuring market diversity.
Beyond Digital: Broader Reform Vision
The initiative extends to land-based gambling in 2025, addressing key industry challenges. A critical focus is reassessing the 2019 Dignity Decree, which banned gambling advertisements and sponsorships. Roberto Alesse, leading the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), advocates for alignment with European standards to foster sustainable growth while maintaining effective oversight.
Regional Harmonization and Future Outlook
The reform’s second phase targets standardization across Italy’s regions to combat illegal gambling and enhance consumer safety. Despite facing challenges, including recent tax revenue decline, Italy aims to establish itself as a pioneer in European gambling regulation. The ADM emphasizes the importance of balanced regulation that protects consumers while supporting industry growth.
Building a Sustainable Future
This comprehensive reform represents Italy’s commitment to creating a robust, regulated gambling market. By implementing strict standards while maintaining industry viability, Italy is positioning itself at the forefront of European gambling innovation. The success of these reforms will depend on their effective implementation and the industry’s ability to adapt to these new parameters.
Bet365, a global leader in sports betting, has released its 2025 Annual Sports Betting Report, offering valuable insights into emerging trends, rising markets, and its ambitious expansion strategy. The report highlights significant growth in women’s sports, player-focused betting, and activity across regulated markets.
Women’s Sports Betting Sees Remarkable Growth
Women’s sports betting has gained tremendous traction in recent years. According to the report, global wagers on the WNBA increased by an impressive 67%, showcasing the growing interest in women’s sports. This surge can be attributed to rising stars, expanded media coverage, and increased attention to women’s college basketball, which has drawn a broader and more engaged audience.
The Shift to Player-Centric Betting
A key trend highlighted in the report is the growing focus on individual player performances. Bettors are increasingly seeking personalized betting options, driving demand for player props. Athletes such as Nikola Jokić in the NBA and Saquon Barkley in the NFL have become fan favourites in these markets. The Kansas City Chiefs led NFL betting activity, fuelled by their on-field success and the media spotlight on Travis Kelce. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics topped NBA wagers, with the Oklahoma City Thunder following closely, underscoring a shift toward analytical, player-driven markets.
Global Expansion and Strategic Partnerships
Bet365 has made significant strides in its global expansion efforts. In 2024, the company entered Pennsylvania and Peru and is awaiting regulatory approval for operations in Brazil. Strategic partnerships have played a crucial role in strengthening its offerings. Collaborations with Inspired and Playtech in Pennsylvania and Betmakers for fixed-odds horse racing in New Jersey and Colorado reflect its commitment to diversifying and enhancing its betting options. New features, such as early payout options and flash betting, have also improved user engagement and received widespread praise.
Bet365’s Entry into the Illinois Market
Illinois represents a major milestone in Bet365’s U.S. expansion strategy. The Illinois Gaming Board recently approved its partnership with Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, granting Bet365 a Management Services Provider License. This allows the company to offer both in-person and mobile sports betting in one of the country’s most lucrative markets. Illinois sportsbooks handled $11 billion in bets through October 2024, a 23% year-over-year increase, and set a record $1.45 billion betting handle in October. However, Illinois’ new progressive tax structure poses challenges, with rates ranging from 20% to 40%, depending on revenue. Despite this, Bet365 is unlikely to hit the top tier due to current revenue projections.
Expanding Presence Across North America
Beyond Illinois, Bet365 continues to solidify its footprint across the U.S. market. In Pennsylvania, its partnership with Presque Isle Casino has generated nearly $100 million in bets and $10 million in revenue. The company also opened a new Denver office in September 2024, facilitating a partnership with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche. This expansion aligns with Bet365’s stated priority of driving growth in its live markets while exploring opportunities in new states.
FBC BV Faces €840,000 Penalty in Gambling Crackdown
The Netherlands Gaming Authority (KSA) has imposed a significant penalty on Curaçao-based operator FBC BV for offering unlicensed games of chance on its platform, FreeBitco.in. This decision highlights the Dutch regulator’s firm stance on protecting players and maintaining the integrity of its gambling market.
Investigations Expose Illegal Operations
The KSA’s investigations, conducted between January 2023 and November 2024, uncovered that FreeBitco.in allowed Dutch players to create accounts, deposit funds, and gamble on its platform without the required permits. Despite FBC BV’s claims of compliance, including blocking Dutch IP addresses, the KSA found no evidence of effective measures to prevent local participation.
A KSA inspector successfully registered, deposited bitcoin, and placed a bet, further confirming the platform’s accessibility to Dutch users. In response to these findings, the KSA issued a penalty payment order of €280,000 per week for continued violations, capped at €840,000.
FBC BV’s Defence Falls Short
FBC BV argued that FreeBitco.in primarily serves as a giveaway platform, but the KSA countered this by demonstrating ongoing gambling activities accessible to Dutch residents. Despite requests for extensions and claims of technical difficulties, the company failed to implement effective compliance measures.
The penalties remain in force despite FBC BV’s legal objections. Moreover, the company’s troubles extend beyond the Netherlands, with Australian regulators also issuing warnings over its unlicensed operations targeting Australian players.
KSA’s Commitment to Player Protection
The penalty against FBC BV is part of a broader campaign by the KSA to curtail unauthorised gambling operations. In recent months, the regulator has imposed similar penalties on operators such as Techno Offshore, Novatech Solutions, and BlockDance.
Michel Groothuizen, chair of the KSA, emphasised the authority’s determination to tackle the black market, stating, “We will send out warning letters more often and deliver short, quick blows, such as with an order subject to a penalty.”
Promoting Responsible Gambling
In parallel with its enforcement efforts, the KSA has launched a campaign encouraging responsible gambling. The initiative, titled “Pick up your life again, take a gambling stop,” promotes the Cruks self-exclusion register and aims to support individuals struggling with gambling-related challenges.
With its dual approach of punitive measures and player support, the KSA is sending a clear message: the Dutch gambling market prioritises transparency, compliance, and player protection.