GINA Promotions Index falls to 30% in Q1 2026; CFTC proposes new event contract rules and definition of gaming; New York mobile sportsbook market dips in May; Flutter Entertainment to delist from London Stock Exchange; plus the week’s other news from North America.
GINA Promotions Index falls to 30% in Q1 2026
Promotional spending as a share of online sports betting win fell to 30 per cent in Q1 2026, according to the GINA Promotions Index.
It was the lowest first quarter share since the Index began in 2022 and was down from 38 per cent in Q1 2025.
For the month of March, US sportsbooks spent the equivalent of 30 per cent of their revenue on promotions.
The months of May, June and July have had some of the lowest shares in the last two years because they have been quieter sporting months.
In 2024, all three months were under 30 per cent and below 25 per cent in 2025.
In 2026, the data will show how sportsbooks approached the FIFA World Cup with regard to promotional spend and whether it has paid off.
Michigan
Michigan’s three commercial casinos posted $114.1 million in revenue for May, which was unchanged compared to a year ago. Revenue from table gaming and slots in the casinos was up by 0.5 per cent to $113.3 million but was down by 39 per cent for retail sports betting to $781,669. MGM Grand Detroit held a 46 per cent share of the market on revenue of $52.9 million, ahead of MotorCity Casino’s $35.9 million and Hollywood Casino at Greektown’s $25.2 million.
New York
Mobile sports wagers in New York fell by 4 per cent in May to $2.13 billion, as both of the leading brands reported year-on-year declines. FanDuel had the highest wagering in May of $767.8 million, but this was a fall of 4 per cent versus a year ago. DraftKings posted a higher drop of 10 per cent as its monthly wagers fell to $706.5 million. The two brands still held 69 per cent of the state’s wagering during the month.
Maryland
Maryland’s six land-based casinos posted a 4 per cent decline in gaming revenue for May to $170.0 million. There was a 14 per cent fall in table gaming revenue in the state’s casinos and it was down to $44.9 million. Slot machines had a 1 per cent rise to $125.1 million and was above $120 million for the first time since the previous May.
Illinois
Illinois’ casinos won gaming revenue of $192.8 million in May, a rise of 9 per cent and the best month of 2026 so far. Table gaming revenue increased by 6 per cent to $46.2 million, while slot machines showed a 10 per cent gain to $146.5 million. Admissions to the casinos were up by 3 per cent to 1.43 million and were above 1.4 million for the first time since August 2025.
Oregon
The Oregon Lottery reported a 4 per cent decline in sports wagers for May to $77.7 million, as single betting was down by 5 per cent to $51.1 million, and parlay betting dropped by less than 1 per cent to $26.5 million. The month’s betting margin was also down slightly year-on-year to 12.6 per cent, with gross win from sports betting decreasing by 5 per cent to $9.8 million.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s sportsbooks reported a 3 per cent increase in May sports bets to $578.1 million but revenue was down from a year ago. Monthly wagering was at its lowest since August 2025 and included $16.9 million in promotional bets, 17 per cent more year-on-year. Gross revenue fell by 1 per cent to $64.3 million, at a margin of 11.1 per cent (May 2025: 11.6 per cent).
Montana
Sports wagers at the Montana Lottery fell by 3 per cent in May to $4.8 million. There was a drop in the monthly margin from 15.3 per cent to 9.9 per cent, which caused monthly revenue to decline by 37 per cent to $477,189. Baseball was the main wagering sport on $2.1 million, followed by basketball on $1.6 million.
Colorado
Back into April, sports wagers in Colorado surpassed $520 million with year-on-year growth of 3 per cent to $521.2 million. The monthly margin of 9.6 per cent was the best so far this year and meant that gross revenue increased by 5 per cent to $49.9 million. Online sports wagers rose by 3 per cent to $519.1 million and revenue was up by 6 per cent to $49.7 million.
Ohio
Ohio’s regulated sports betting market recorded strong revenue growth in April, despite a 1 per cent fall in handle to $800.1 million. The overall margin was 2 percentage points higher than a year ago at 11.1 per cent and helped grow betting revenue by 21 per cent to $89.1 million. Online sports wagers were down by 1 per cent to $786.0 million but the smaller retail sector had a 13 per cent rise in wagering to $14.1 million.
In the state’s land-based gaming sector, Ohio’s four casinos won a 6 per cent rise in gaming revenue for April to $93.4 million. Slot machines had a 7 per cent rise to $69.8 million and the 362 table games managed a 2 per cent increase to $23.7 million. Market leader Hollywood Columbus’ revenue increased by 11 per cent to $27.9 million, ahead of Hollywood Toledo’s $23.0 million and Jack Cleveland on $22.8 million.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s sports wagers rose by 5 per cent in April to $230.1 million, despite a fall in the retail sector. Retail betting dropped by 25 per cent to $4.0 million but online betting increased by 5 per cent to $226.0 million. Adjusted gross revenue (AGR) from sports betting outperformed wagering growth and was up by 12 per cent to $26.6 million, of which $25.9 million came online.
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking public comment on proposed rules for event contracts involving gaming, war, terrorism and unlawful conduct.
Brightstar Lottery’s global lottery chief executive, Renato Ascoli, is stepping down after more than 20 years with the business.
Flutter Entertainment has confirmed that it will leave the London Stock Exchange in favour of a sole listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
FanDuel is expanding its prediction markets offering through a new partnership with Crypto.com and its CFTC-regulated exchange and clearinghouse, OG Prediction Markets.
Relax Gaming’s US brand, RLX Gaming, has launched its aggregation platform in the United States.
Sales of the Massachusetts Lottery jumped by 26 per cent to $573.2 million in April, the best monthly total in two years.
ADI Predictstreet has officially launched its new global prediction market platform ahead of the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Sportradar Group has signed an agreement to become an official data and solutions provider to leading prediction markets provider Kalshi.
This week’s games round-up features Playtech’s Reel Web and Origins studios, PopOK Gaming, Playradar, Evolution’s Nolimit City, Play’n GO, Yggdrasil, Galaxsys, Relax Gaming, Bragg Studios’ Indigo Magic and Imagine Live.
Polymarket has agreed a deal to become the official and exclusive prediction market partner of Mexico’s professional football league, Liga MX, for the United States.
The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation that would end the current single-provider setup in the state’s sports betting market.
Wire Industries, the parent company of WagerWire, has received approval in principle to establish Gibraltar as its international base for prediction market operations.
The New York Lottery reported a 3 per cent rise in sales to $602.7 million for the four-week period ended May 30.
Betting on US horse racing dropped by 4 per cent in May to $1.39 billion but was still the best monthly total of 2026 so far.
Scientific Games has agreed a new long-term scratchcard deal with Greek national lottery operator Hellenic Lotteries.
Konami Online Interactive has launched its online casino content in Mexico through SkillOnNet’s flagship Spanish-language brand PlayUZU.
North Carolina legislators have agreed on a plan to raise taxes on sports betting companies as part of broader budget negotiations aimed at plugging revenue gaps before the July 1 fiscal year deadline.
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) of the UAE has named former Crown Resorts chief executive officer Ciarán Carruthers as its new CEO.
Pennsylvania State Representatives Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) and Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) unveiled three pending gambling bills, targeting several aspects of online gambling that have drawn concern.
Delaware North has unveiled its new Playtech-powered flagship iGaming brand, Ember Casino, marking the first step in a broader strategy to rebrand its digital gaming business.
BetConstruct AI has appointed former Pragmatic Play executive Lena Yasir as its new chief executive officer.
New York’s state legislature passed legislation to protect horse racing subsidies while leaving the core financial dispute between Resorts World New York City and state regulators unresolved.
The Tennessee Education Lottery has confirmed that its long-standing president and CEO, Rebecca Paul, will retire at the end of the year.
Konami Gaming has successfully installed its SYNKROS casino management system on a second cruise line for the world’s leading cruise company, Carnival Corporation.