• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Global Sports Betting: Six Trends and Predictions for 2018

Brett Smiley by Brett Smiley
January 26, 2018
in Industry, Regulation
Nevada Sportsbooks Win $25M on $418M January Handle, But Football Handle Down From '17
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Editor’s Note: this article is condensed from the original byΒ Daniel Kustelski, CEO at Chalkline Sports,Β on the Chalkline Sports blog. Here we’ve added updated commentary from Kustelski and SportsHandle’s Brett Smiley for each prediction. Enjoy!

Global sports betting in 2017 exceeded our expectations for several reasons:

  1. The United States Supreme Court agreed to hear New Jersey‘s appeal of PASPA in June, then heard oral argument in December.
  2. Active global industry M&A with a keen eye on the US.
  3. Continued rapid growth in African markets. Mobile growth, rapid product innovation, retail expansion, new conferences–there’s a lot of positive activity on the continent.
  4. The first Sports Betting in the USA conference captured the industry’s intense excitement about prospects for regulation in the US.

What will 2018 bring? Our predictions follow.


1. The United States Supreme Court will fully repeal PASPA.

Outside of the Supreme Court

Our legal friends and advisors have, of course, helped inform this opinion. If and when SCOTUS does repeal PASPA…it’s gonna get messy as states start pushing forward.Β It seems incredibly likely that there will be a legal (non-DFS) sports bet struck in a new β€˜sports betting state’ in 2018, and it’s about time.

Smiley: Yep. That’s why they took the case.

Kustelski: Undoubtedly. We started with a layup. Also, if it wasn’t going to happen, the NBA legal team wouldn’t be running around into every state legislative capital.


2. A European operator will make a $500M+ US acquisition.

Global Sports Betting: Six Trends and Predictions for 2018

2017 saw significant industry M&A, and several European operators invested significantly in the US.Β We expect to see a $500M+ deal as global operators across the Atlantic as global operators seek US licensing opportunities.

Smiley: Maybe a collection of assets worth over $500M, but I’m not sure any US-based entity would be looking for immediate acquisition at a time of potential growth. That said: how much is FanDuel worth these days? That’s one candidate.

Kustelski: Good points. It did occur to us that if we don’t see a European operator make an acquisition of this size, we may see an non-gaming company enter the space at that level (see Verizon).


3. South African sports betting GGR will grow 25%.

The 2018 World Cup will drive growth that exceeds the expectations of PwC and other analysts. Mobile and strong retail will deliver 25%+ YOY market expansion.Β Overall trends in Africa continue to be positive.

Kustelski: Its a world Cup year in a country where they are World Cup crazy and sports betting accounted for 91% of the YoY GGR growth, even if Bafana Bafana didn’t make it.

Smiley: I have no clue. What Dan said.


4. Nevada legal handle will grow 10%.

Global Sports Betting: Six Trends and Predictions for 2018

With the 2018 World Cup, more live-in-play and better marketing from sports books, we predict double-digit growth in Nevada handle this year.

Smiley: Definitely. The handle has been steadily growing already. Mobile continues to grow, and is not displacing existing in-person transactions. Sports betting is no novelty in Nevada, but I think more casual bettors will emerge, maybe Nevada even gets more tourism as casual bettors want to visit the mecca.

Kustelski: Agree. And next college football season will be absolutely nuts for books.


5. US live-in-play handle will double.

Global Sports Betting: Six Trends and Predictions for 2018

Look for this number to grow dramatically in 2018 as US books offer more live products. It’s the future of sports betting in the US as soon as we regulate and start catching up with the rest of the world.Β It would also dramatically improve interminably long NFL games.

Smiley: Well, what’s the in-play handle now? Are we looking only at Nevada? It will get more popular, that much is for sure. Better technology will aid this growth area.

Kustelski: We couldn’t find reliable industry-wide numbers, but we didn’t want that to get in the way of a good prediction. Better tech plus growing awareness should make this happen, no matter what the 2017 live-in-play number was. But, it will be lower margin business, as any good bookmaker knows.


6. US operators will reverse the declining hold trend.

Global Sports Betting: Six Trends and Predictions for 2018US hold numbers have trended down in the past few years, and are expected to be relatively flat in 2017. In 2018, operators will invest in analytics and tools to shore up hold and reverse the trend.

Kustelski: Good technology on live-in-play means better tech to increase hold! Bookmakers will have to address this opportunity.

Smiley: Probably. There may be some early blips by inexperienced sportsbooks, but with more recreational or β€œpublic” bettors in the market and more offerings, I think they’ll end up giving their entertainment money to the books at a decent margin.


In any case, 2018 is going to be a fascinating year for sports betting and we’d love to hear your thoughts.Β Post them here, contact us directly, or give us a shout @ChalklineSports.

Share3TweetShare
Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Sports Handle, which joined forces with the US Bets team in November 2018. He focuses on the sports betting industry and legislation. He's a recreational sports bettor and DFS player himself, focusing on the NFL. In a past life, Smiley practiced commercial litigation in New York City and previously wrote for FOX Sports and SI.com. He lives in New Jersey with his family.

Related Posts

dallas-cowboys-end-zone-painted
Analysis

First Texas Hearing Reveals No Consensus To Act On Gambling In 2023

March 22, 2023
FanDuel Massachusetts promo code graphic with Volunteers player Jonas Aidoo.
Promotions

FanDuel Massachusetts Promo Code: $200 in MA, $1K No Sweat Bet in Other States for Wednesday

March 22, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

taylor mathis

Taylor Mathis Got Sacrificed At The Altar Of Responsible Gambling

March 20, 2023
fanduel baseball wall

Premade Same Game Parlays Are Sucker Bets

March 13, 2023
maginfier-over-small-print

Read The Fine Print: A Proposed Federal Rule Could Change Everything For Indian Gaming

March 6, 2023
roman reigns wwe

Colorado Denies Report Stating That It’s Considering WWE Wagering

March 8, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – Where To Play, Bonus Offers And Promo Codes

by Brian Pempus
March 22, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
January 17, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2023

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
October 6, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

SportsHandle

  • Analysis
  • Casino
  • Features
  • Horse Racing
  • Industry
  • Legal
  • Legislation
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Poker
  • Politics
  • Promotions
  • Regulation
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized

Better Collective

This website is owned and operated by Better Collective USA. Trademarks and copyrights referenced on this website are and shall remain the exclusive property of their respective owners and/or licensors. Please be sure to visit the operator’s website(s) to review their terms & conditions. We advise you to read these carefully as they contain important information. Copyright Β© 2023 USBets.com | Better Collective USA
21 Play Responsibly
Gamble Aware West Virginia
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GameSense

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...