Casino City's iGaming Pocket Directory - 2017 Edition

70 Sponsored by Casino City’s iGaming Pocket Directory Sports Betting stakes rose 20% in the first half of 2016 to £2.7 billion, with net revenues up 21% to £316 million. Once again, this was credited to mobile sports wagering, which accounts for 76% of revenues. eSports is already a massive industry, generating $325 million in 2015 from media rights, merchandising, ticket sales and advertising, according to Newzoo, a market research firm. Eilers & Krejcik Gaming estimates that by 2020, eSports fans around the world will wager around $23.5 billion, with operators generating $1.8 billion in revenue. If numbers released by Pinnacle Sports for CY 2016 are any indication, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming’s projections are not far-fetched. Pinnacle reported that its eSports year-on-year bet count grew 127%, with the live bet count up a whopping 403%. Speaking of in-play wagering, sports bettors nowadays demand a more engaging and exciting experience and, in many cases, are looking for instant gratification. In-play betting has met this demand. According to Betgenius, in-play accounts for as much as 70% of turnover at some sportsbook operators, particularly in football and tennis. At the top end of the scale, bet365 said last year that in-play wagers were responsible for 75% of total sports betting turnover. In an event-driven sector, identifying revenue opportunities is a little bit easier. Sports calendars are set years to months in advance, depending on the sport, so operators, affiliate programs and affiliates have a chance to plan and implement the right strategy for them. We’ve included a calendar of sporting events to help you with your planning. It begins on page 81. SPORTS BETTING INDUSTRY OVERVIEW