FRIDAY 19 MAR 2021 GAMBLING COMMISSION CEO NEIL MCARTHUR RESIGNS AFTER 15 YEARS WITH THE REGULATOR - Gambling Insider
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FRIDAY 19 MAR 2021
GAMBLING COMMISSION
CEO NEIL MCARTHUR
RESIGNS AFTER 15 YEARS
Sponsored by
WITH THE REGULATOR
FRIDAY 19 MAR 2021
GAMBLING COMMISSION
CEO NEIL MCARTHUR
RESIGNS AFTER 15 YEARS
Sponsored by
WITH THE REGULATOR
THIS WEEK
• Flutter to list
FanDuel shares?
• US sports betting
revenue round-up
• AGA projects March
Madness volumes
• EFL chairman rules
against sponsorship ban
GUEST COLUMN:
• PartnerMatrix Gambling Commission CEO Neil McArthur has announced he will leave the
regulator after 15 years with the body.
McArthur joined the GC in 2006 and became CEO in 2018, with the regulator
attributing the “strengthening of protections against gambling harms” during
his tenure.
Sponsored by
THIS WEEK IN
NUMBERS However, with the UK Gambling Act review upcoming, criticism had been aimed
at the GC from a multitude of directions.
While the industry felt fines from the regulator were too heavy-handed,
$1bn campaigners for safer gambling have conversely argued the Gambling Commission
doesn’t do enough to protect players.
March Madness The GC wrote: “During Neil’s tenure, the Gambling Commission has gone
is the first ever through a significant period of change as it equips itself to meet the challenges
US sporting of regulating a rapidly changing and increasingly digital gambling market. Neil
event to project has overseen strengthening of protections against gambling harms, through
10 figures in
legal wagers the banning of gambling on credit cards; through enhanced age verification checks;
and, most recently, through new requirements to build in protections to the design
of online products. He has led moves to ensure that those impacted by gambling
harms have their voices heard in the Commission’s decision making, culminating
in the recent establishment of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel. Over the last
2019
When Betway first
12 months, Neil has also successfully navigated the organisation through the
challenges that the global pandemic has brought.”
McArthur said: “I am proud of everything the Gambling Commission has achieved
signed a deal with during my 15 years with the organisation.
Berlin International
Gaming. The “We have taken significant steps forward to make gambling fairer and safer and
operator this week I know I leave the organisation in a strong position to meet its future challenges.
renewed that “With a review of the Gambling Act underway now feels the right time to step
esports partnership away and allow a new chief executive to lead the Commission on the next stage
in its journey.”
Chairman of the Gambling Commission Bill Moyes, added: “On behalf of
the Board I would like to thank Neil for his many years of commitment and service
to the Gambling Commission. A lot has been achieved during his time here and
$2.8bn
Reported cost
Neil can rightly feel proud of the organisation’s progress during his tenure
as chief executive.”
The Gambling Commission will begin the process of recruiting a CEO for an
of Vietnam’s
interim period.
new integrated
resort, to open While a long-term successor is appointed, ongoing deputy CEO Sarah Gardner
on 21 April, and COO Sally Jones will jointly become acting CEO.
located on GI Verdict: While some may be surprised by the timing of McArthur’s departure,
Phu Quoc with the UK Gambling Act Review due later this year, it may make sense now more
than ever for the executive to depart.
As stated, the Gambling Commission has faced criticism from anti-gambling
campaigners for not doing enough to protect players. Whereas fines are regularly
€5.0m issued, there is some concern that genuine change is not being encouraged.
At the same time, the industry is often quick to push back against any new
Fee that LeoVegas regulations or punitive measures put in place by the regulator, leaving it criticised
completed for from all sides.
the acquisition of Most recently, the UK gaming industry was also hit by what some claim to be
sports betting firm the biggest case ever to affect the nation’s gamblers. Football Index, the previously
Expekt (£4.3m)
much-lauded stock exchange for footballers, has now gone into administration and
punters who invested thousands believe the operator “changed the goalposts” in
an incredibly unfair manner.
Where the Gambling Commission comes into play here is many feel the regulator
was wrong to have licensed Football Index, via parent company Bet Index, in the
$34m first place if it didn’t understand the model it used.
Many believe the model was doomed to fail from the get-go, while the
Commission’s removal of the company’s gambling licence after it had gone into
Average daily rate of
Macau’s gambling administration seems a futile gesture, given the damage has already been done.
revenue for the week It’s difficult to know exactly how much of a part this episode played in McArthur’s
of 8-14 March resignation but it is certain to have been a factor.
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131% FLUTTER ENTERTAINMENT CONSIDERS LISTING
FANDUEL SHARES
Year-on-year rise
in Delaware online Flutter Entertainment, owner of to assess how best to position itself
gaming revenue Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet and to deliver upon the group’s strategy.
for February as the PokerStars, is considering taking “Options including the listing in
Delaware Lottery its US sports betting business the US of a small shareholding in
reported $751,291
for the month FanDuel public. FanDuel are being considered but
It wants to list a small number no decision has been made at this
of shares and is giving this idea time. Should a decision be made
serious consideration. According to proceed with a listing in due
$87m
to reports, Flutter investors are course, an announcement will be
displeased with the company made as appropriate.”
undervaluing FanDuel. Flutter invested in FanDuel only
Amount for a Investors feel Flutter is trading three years ago. In December last
proposed expansion year, it spent £3.2bn ($4.47bn) on
FanDuel at a discount compared
of Rivers Casino that Des
Plaines Council to US rival DraftKings. In 2020, FanDuel, which increased its stake
has agreed to DraftKings earned $644m in from 57.8% to 95%.
revenue, while FanDuel GI Verdict: Flutter issued the
generated $967m. statement in response to media
Flutter has sent out an reports that emerged over the
75%
announcement in response weekend suggesting the operator
to press speculation about was considering its options
unhappy investors, making it regarding FanDuel.
Capacity for clear a final decision hadn’t The situation implies a major
Pennsylvania casinos decision is pending, but this time it
been made as of yet.
as of 4 April, thanks
to a ruling from The operator said: will be Flutter that will want to be
Governor Tom Wolf “Flutter regularly evaluates its in control of the manner in which
organisational and capital structure it is announced.
Sponsored by
PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY AND MICHIGAN SPORTSBOOKS
POST FEBRUARY GAINS
February was a bumper month for Pennsylvania sportsbooks took in
THE WEEK IN QUOTES sports betting in Pennsylvania, New $509.5m of wagers through February
Jersey and Michigan. for a year-on-year increase of 55%.
In their first full month of operation, Sports betting handle was down from
“The reason online casinos are not Michigan’s online sportsbooks took the all-time record $615.3m wagered in
subject to the ‘casino acts’ in the IR
$301.9m in wagers, placing the new January, while revenue was $16.4m, a
Development Act is because online
casinos are illegal in the first place. market fifth in the nation for take. 247% increase from February 2020.
There are provisions on casino acts The state also became only the third Given continued restrictions on
in the existing IR Development Act, to take $75m in online casino gross everyday life, online wagers naturally
but it does not include online casinos receipts in a single month. accounted for the lion’s share of spend;
and they are not subject to February’s figures showed a slight 92%, or $469.7m of the month’s sports
this regulation.” dip in per-day average betting from betting handle.
January’s opening blitz, falling from In New Jersey, sports betting
Hachiro Okonogi, chairman of the
$11.5m to $10.8m, and total gross handle was up 50% year-on-year to
Liberal Democratic Party’s National sports betting receipts fell from $743m, with revenue climbing some
Public Safety Commission, explains that $13.3m to $9.5m. 172% on February 2020 to $46m.
the opening of Integrated Resorts Such is little cause for worry, however, As was largely the case across the
in Japan will not pave the way with bettor enthusiasm clearly high. country, these impressive figures failed
for online gaming legislation
When the $23.7m in bets placed at to match the highs of the previous month.
retail casinos are taken into account, The state’s sportsbooks saw a significant
Michigan sportsbooks took in $325.6m drop from the $959m wagered in January,
in bets through February. Online and revenue was down 48% from the
casinos and poker verticals also posted record high of $83m.
strong results, generating $79.7m in Online wagers accounted for 93%, or
receipts, up from $29.4m in January. $689m, of the monthly handle, while retail
Farther out on the east coast, sportsbooks generated $54m of wagers.
Sponsored by
AGA EXPECTS OVER 47M MARCH MADNESS WAGERS
The American Gaming Association with 70% of those attributing their
“The speed at which Argentina is
(AGA) is expecting 47.4 million increased attention to the increased
re-regulating is very positive and we
are looking forward to supporting Americans to wager on the 2021 availability of sports betting.
our partners as they enter this newly March Madness tournament. Bill Miller, president and CEO of the
regulated and exciting marketplace.” The total number of bettors is AGA, commented: “The sports betting
projected to be similar to 2019’s landscape has changed dramatically
Play’n GO chief risk and compliance figures, but the amount placing bets since 2019 and as a result, tournament
officer Sissel Weitzhandler after through an online sportsbook are betting has transformed. With more legal,
the slots provider secured expected to be dramatically higher. regulated options than ever before,
accreditation from the Buenos
AGA research found that 17.8 million millions of customers now have safer
Aires gambling regulator, LOTBA
Americans plan to bet on the event ways to enjoy all the fun and suspense
through an online platform, an increase only March Madness provides.”
of 206%, while 8.3 million expect to In the last two years, 65.4 million
bet at a physical sportsbook, up 79% more Americans across 13 new legal
from 2019. jurisdictions have gained the ability to
“Her extensive experience across a The Association further projects legally place sports wagers, and results
comprehensive range of corporate that 36.7 million bettors will fill out from active states have shown initial
issues, and deep knowledge of the a bracket, a drop of 8% from 2019, participation to be high.
gaming industry’s unique regulatory and 30.6 million will place more GI Verdict: February’s giant Super
and compliance standards will be vital traditional bets on this year’s Bowl market set the tone for American
assets for our business going forward.”
tournament, up from 17.8 million wagering, and it would seem certain
Everi CEO Michael Rumbolz on the in 2019. March Madness will follow suit. The legal
company’s appointment of Kate In the past two years, interest in player base has increased dramatically
Lowenhar-Fisher as executive vice college basketball has also been in the past two years. There seems little
president, chief legal officer – general on the rise. The AGA reports that reason to expect anything other than
counsel, and corporate secretary
42% of fans said they followed college a record-breaking tournament
basketball more closely this season, for bookmakers.
Sponsored by
TAKING STOCK EFL CHAIRMAN RULES AGAINST GAMBLING SPONSORSHIP BAN
Rick Parry, chairman of the English don’t have global fan bases to recover like
SHARE PRICES COVER THURSDAY Football League (EFL), has warned that other larger clubs. According to Deloitte,
11 MARCH TO THURSDAY
18 MARCH (10:45AM GMT) banning gambling sponsorship would ticket sales were more than one-fifth of
be detrimental to smaller clubs. total revenues from Championship clubs
The UK Government will review in 2018-19.
Flutter Entertainment gambling legislation in the coming Parry says the banning of gambling
6%
16,825 GBp weeks, and anti-gambling groups have sponsorships can lead to a loss of more
highlighted football sponsorships with than £40m ($56m) in revenue, a sum he says
betting companies contributing to the clubs across the EFL can’t afford to lose.
rise in gambling addiction. A total of 24 clubs in the Championship
Entain But Parry feels this is unnecessary and have gambling companies as a shirt
4%
1,543 GBp
would only lead to smaller clubs losing sponsor, and imposing a ban on them
revenue. “There’s no evidence to suggest would be catastrophic, according
banning sponsorship will reduce the to Parry.
prevalence of problem gambling,” he said. GI Verdict: The Government review
Elys Game Technology He added that the EFL, which is of the 2005 Gambling Act looks set to
6.25 USD 10%
sponsored by Sky Bet, will submit a case come down hard on the industry as a
to the review that will look to prove whole, with football undoubtedly set
the rise of problem gambling isn’t to be massively impacted due to its
associated with football sponsorships. reliance on gambling sponsorship.
MGM Resorts The global pandemic has impacted Given the evidence surrounding
5%
41.23 USD
sports globally, with even the largest just how crucial such sponsorship is
franchises losing revenue from the lack to smaller football clubs throughout
of fans in stadiums. However, no one the EFL, Parry certainly has a valid point.
has felt this impact more strongly than Whether or not the Government will take
Caesars Entertainment 5% smaller clubs. heed of such a perspective is another
96.04 USD
With ticket sales down, small clubs matter entirely.
Provided by fantiniresearch.com
FEBRUARY REVENUE REPORTS: KANSAS
KS, ME, NM
Fantini Research provides gaming revenue TOTAL GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
CHANGE (%)
reports for the month of February in the
Boot Hill Casino (BUKS) $3.252 - 6.64
states of Kansas, Maine and New Mexico.
Kansas Star (BYD) $13.573 -16.22
TOTAL GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Kansas Crossing $2.233 -28.64
CHANGE (%)
TOTAL GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Boot Hill Casino
Hollywood (BUKS)
Casino (PENN/ISCA) $3.252
$9.269 - 6.64
-33.37
CHANGE (%)
TOTAL GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Kansas
TotalHillStar
Boot (BYD)(BUKS)
Casino $13.573
$28.327
$3.252 -16.22
-22.86
CHANGE- 6.64
(%)
TOTAL GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Kansas
Boot
Kansas Crossing
HillStar
Casino
(BYD)(BUKS) $2.233
$3.252
$13.573 -28.64
- 6.64
-16.22
CHANGE (%)
Hollywood
Boot HillStar
Kansas Casino
Casino
(BYD)
Crossing (PENN/ISCA)
(BUKS) $9.269
$3.252
$2.233
$13.573 -33.37
- 6.64
-16.22
-28.64
ALL-SOURCES GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
MAINE
Total Star
Kansas
Hollywood (BYD) (PENN/ISCA)
Casino
Crossing $28.327
$13.573
$2.233
$9.269
CHANGE (%)
-22.86
-16.22
-28.64
-33.37
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $3.388 -21.15
Kansas
Total Crossing
Hollywood Casino (PENN/ISCA) $2.233
$28.327
$9.269 -28.64
-22.86
-33.37
Oxford (CHDN) $4.461
$9.269 -40.10
Hollywood
Total
ALL-SOURCESCasino
GAMING(PENN/ISCA) $28.327
REVENUE(M) -33.37
-22.86
ANNUAL
Total $7.849 -33.17
CHANGE (%)
Total $28.327 -22.86
ALL-SOURCES GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $3.388 -21.15
CHANGE (%)
ALL-SOURCES GAMING REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Oxford (CHDN)
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $4.461
$3.388 -40.10
-21.15
CHANGE (%)
SLOTS
ALL-SOURCES GAMING REVENUE(M)
REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
ANNUAL
Total
Hollywood Bangor (PENN)
Oxford (CHDN) $7.849
$3.388
$4.461 -33.17
CHANGE (%)
-21.15
-40.10
CHANGE (%)
Hollywood
Hollywood Bangor (PENN)
Bangor
Total (CHDN)
Oxford (PENN) $3.037
$3.388
$7.849
$4.461 -14.37
-21.15
-33.17
-40.10
Oxford
Oxford (CHDN)
Total (CHDN) $3.831
$4.461
$7.849 -36.99
-40.10
-33.17
SLOTS REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Total Slots
Total $6.868
$7.849 -28.66
CHANGE (%)
-33.17
SLOTS REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $3.037 -14.37
CHANGE (%)
SLOTS REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Oxford (CHDN)
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $3.831
$3.037 -36.99
-14.37
CHANGE (%)
TABLE GAMES
SLOTS REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Total Slots
Hollywood
Oxford Bangor (PENN)
(CHDN) $6.868
$3.037
$3.831 -28.66
-14.37
-36.99
CHANGE (%)
Hollywood
Total Slots
Oxford Bangor (PENN)
(CHDN) $0.351
$3.037
$6.868
$3.831 -53.21
-14.37
-28.66
-36.99
Oxford (CHDN)
Total Slots $0.630
$3.831
$6.868 -53.90
-36.99
-28.66
TABLE GAMES REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Total Table
Slots Games $0.981
$6.868 -53.66
-28.66
CHANGE (%)
TABLE GAMES REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $0.351 -53.21
CHANGE (%)
TABLE GAMES REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Oxford (CHDN)
Hollywood Bangor (PENN) $0.630
$0.351 -53.90
-53.21
CHANGE (%)
NEW MEXICO
TABLE GAMES REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Total Table
Hollywood Games(PENN)
Bangor
Oxford (CHDN) $0.981
$0.351
$0.630 -53.66
-53.21
-53.90
CHANGE (%)
Racetracks
Hollywood
Total Table
Oxford Bangor
Games(PENN)
(CHDN) $0.196
$0.351
$0.981
$0.630 -99.15
-53.21
-53.66
-53.90
Oxford (CHDN)
Total Table Games $0.630
$0.981 -53.90
-53.66
NEW MEXICO REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Total Table Games $0.981 -53.66
CHANGE (%)
NEW MEXICO REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Racetracks $0.196 -99.15
CHANGE (%)
NEW MEXICO REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Racetracks $0.196 -99.15
CHANGE (%)
NEW MEXICO REVENUE(M) ANNUAL
Racetracks $0.196 -99.15
CHANGE (%)
Racetracks $0.196 -99.15
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