Casino City's iGaming Pocket Directory - 2018 Edition

64 Sponsored by Casino City’s iGaming Pocket Directory Sports Betting 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, with bet365 reporting that live betting accounted for 72% of the sportsbook’s total handle. Similarly, Betgenius said that in-play accounts for as much as 70% of turnover at some sportsbook operators, particularly in football (soccer) and tennis. Fantasy sports is another major market, with both daily fantasy (DFS) and season-long formats combining to produce a $7.22 billion industry across all sports, according to research conducted by Ipsos Marketing between March-June 2017 and published by the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA). The same study shows 59.3 million people (age 12+) playing fantasy sports in the U.S. and Canada alone, up from 32 million in 2010, despite uncertain regulation in the U.S. where individual states determine whether fantasy sports is betting or a legal game of skill. DFS consumer spending is projected to reach $5.3 billion by 2021, up from $2.6 billion in 2016, thanks to developing markets in the U.K., Australia and Latin America, with margins exceeding four times those of traditional online casino games providers, according to a study by Juniper Research. The projected growth resonates with average yearly spending by fantasy sports players (age 18+) jumping to $318 in 2016 from $5 in 2012, according to the FSTA. SPORTS BETTING INDUSTRY OVERVIEW