MGM Resorts International shares surged Monday as the casino operator and London-traded firm Entain lifted their full-year outlook for their co-owned BetMGM sports betting and iGaming operator. https://t.co/pHOwh6WRml ...

LONDON, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology PLC (NYSE: IGT) announced today that it recently signed a new, three-year sports betting technology agreement with Boyd Gaming Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, IGT's award-winning PlaySports platform will continue powering Boyd Gaming's retail and mobile sports betting offering in Nevada through August 2028. The new agreement builds on IGT and Boyd Gaming's long-standing sports betting technology partnership that started in 20 ...

Continuing strong momentum supports increased confidence and FY 2025 guidance upgradeJERSEY CITY, N.J., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BetMGM LLC ("BetMGM"), one of the leading sports betting and iGaming operators across North America, jointly owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) ("MGM Resorts") and Entain plc (LSE: ENT) ("Entain"), is today providing an update to FY 2025 guidance. This announcement is being made by BetMGM as a consequence of Entain plc's required regulatory disclosure to the marke ...

Core Insights - FanDuel is implementing a 50-cent surcharge on all wagers in Illinois to offset the impact of new state taxes, which are particularly burdensome for leading sportsbooks [1][3] - DraftKings is expected to follow FanDuel's lead in response to the new tax structure [2] - The new tax structure includes a progressive tax rate that can reach up to 40% for the most successful sportsbooks, significantly higher than the previous 15% rate [3][4] Company Actions - FanDuel's new surcharge is projected to generate an additional $86 million in revenue for 2026, representing about 2% of its EBITDA [3] - DraftKings anticipates a revenue increase of $79 million from the surcharge, which would account for approximately 5.4% of its projected EBITDA for the same year [3] - Flutter has stated that if the state reverses the tax decision, FanDuel will eliminate the surcharge immediately [2] Industry Context - The Illinois tax is part of a broader trend, with other states like New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania considering similar tax increases [6] - Flutter's CEO expressed concerns that the new tax structure disproportionately affects lower-wagering customers and could drive gamblers to unregulated operators [5][6] - The CEO emphasized the need for an optimal gaming tax rate to enhance customer experience, market growth, and state revenue over time [5][7]

Core Insights - Rush Street Interactive, Inc. (RSI) has launched its online poker platform, BetRivers Poker, in Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia, following its successful debut in Pennsylvania, marking a significant multi-state expansion [1][2] - The expansion allows for a unified cross-state player pool, enhancing the gaming experience with larger tournament prize pools and deeper cash-game fields [2][5] - BetRivers Poker was developed with input from the poker community, led by industry figures Phil Galfond and Phil Hellmuth, focusing on player experience and engagement [3][4] Company Overview - RSI is a leading online gaming and sports entertainment company operating in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, with real-money operations in fifteen U.S. states and several international markets [9] - The company has received multiple awards for its customer service and operational excellence, including the EGR North America Awards and SBC Latinoamérica Awards [9] Product Features - BetRivers Poker offers various game formats, including cash games, Sit & Go tournaments, and Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs), with innovative features like dynamic avatars and player-driven design [5][7] - The platform aims to expand its digital presence through content initiatives like Poker Night in America and PokerBratTV on YouTube, providing exclusive content and player engagement opportunities [5]

Core Viewpoint - Flutter Entertainment, a leading online sports betting and iGaming operator, is responding to the Illinois State legislature's decision to introduce a betting transaction fee for licensed operators starting July 1, 2025, which will impact the cost structure for operators in the state [1][2]. Group 1: Company Response - FanDuel, Flutter's US market-leading brand, will implement a $0.50 transaction fee on each bet placed on its platform in Illinois starting September 1, 2025, due to increased operational costs from the new Illinois Transaction Fee [2]. - The introduction of the transaction fee follows a significant increase in the betting tax rate in Illinois in 2024, which FanDuel had previously attempted to absorb without passing costs to customers [2]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Flutter's CEO, Peter Jackson, expressed concerns that the Illinois Transaction Fee will disproportionately affect lower wagering recreational customers and may drive some customers to unregulated operators, which do not contribute tax revenue or provide the same level of customer protection [4]. - The company emphasizes the importance of optimal gaming tax rates for maximizing market growth and revenue for states over time [4]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Flutter reported global revenue of $14,048 million for fiscal 2024, representing a 19% year-over-year increase, and $3,665 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 [6].

Core Insights - The article highlights three companies that have been undervalued by the market but have the potential for significant returns in the future due to their growth prospects in their respective industries. Group 1: Marvell Technology - Marvell Technology is a chip designer benefiting from the growth in artificial intelligence (AI) spending, particularly through its custom AI accelerators and networking chips [5][6]. - The company has secured deals with major hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft for next-generation AI accelerators, despite concerns about competition from other chip designers [7][10]. - Marvell's stock is currently trading at around $65 per share, with a forward P/E ratio of 23, indicating strong growth potential and less downside risk compared to previous months [10]. Group 2: Block - Block, the parent company of Cash App and Square, has faced recent challenges due to a shortfall in Cash App's gross profit growth, but this may present a buying opportunity for growth investors [11]. - Cash App is focusing on increasing revenue per user through new services like Cash App Borrow, which aims to enhance user engagement and address spending slowdowns [12][15]. - Block's current share price is around $63, with a P/E ratio of 16.5 based on 2026 earnings estimates, suggesting a strong long-term outlook despite short-term economic uncertainties [15]. Group 3: DraftKings - DraftKings is a leading sports betting company that has leveraged its brand strength in Daily Fantasy Sports to expand into sports betting, attracting approximately 400,000 new monthly unique payers [16][17]. - The company benefits from valuable user data, which enhances its ability to offer personalized promotions and expand into new betting types [18]. - DraftKings' stock is trading at $34 per share, with an enterprise value-to-forward-EBITDA ratio of about 21, and management projects an average EBITDA growth of 35% from 2026 to 2028, indicating strong growth potential [20].

Imagine a world where every legal sports wager — whether placed through a smartphone in New York or tapped out in a Las Vegas casino — is reliant on a single company’s technology to supply real-time, quick, and dependable data. Such a world already exists, andVolatility and Reason (V&R) is a space for clear-headed market commentary. No hot takes, no blind optimism, and no empty noise. I explore business, economics, and investing with a simple principle: logic over sentiment, curiosity over distraction. My g ...

Core Insights - BetMGM has entered into a partnership with the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the exclusive online casino and sportsbook partner for the WNBA team through the 2027 season, marking its first major collaboration with a women's professional sports franchise [1][2][3] - The partnership includes various promotional activities, such as signage at the Michelob ULTRA Arena, sponsorship on Aces' social media, and exclusive experiences for BetMGM players [1][2] - BetMGM will also serve as an authorized gaming partner of the WNBA, gaining commercial inventory on nationally televised games and the rights to co-branded content [2][3] Partnership Details - The "BetMGM Steals for Meals" program will donate $50 to The Just One Project for every steal made by the Aces during home games, aimed at supporting food-insecure families [3][4] - BetMGM plans to launch a WNBA-branded online slot game, which will be the first-ever WNBA online casino game, available exclusively on its platform [2][3] Market Growth - BetMGM reported a 133% year-over-year growth in betting on the WNBA during the 2024 season, reflecting the increasing popularity of women's sports [4] - The WNBA has seen significant growth in fan engagement, and BetMGM aims to leverage this momentum by expanding its betting markets and enhancing fan experiences [5] Company Background - BetMGM is a leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, formed through a partnership between MGM Resorts International and Entain Plc, and has exclusive access to MGM's U.S. sports betting and online gaming operations [7] - The Las Vegas Aces have achieved notable success, including back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023, and have established a strong fan base, selling out their season ticket allotment in 2024 [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - SharpLink Gaming has transformed from a struggling online marketing company to a potential leading publicly-traded Ethereum proxy, following a significant stock surge of 1,067% after announcing a $425 million private placement to adopt Ethereum as its primary treasury reserve asset [1] Financial Performance - SharpLink's revenues have decreased by 31%, from $5.0 million to $3.4 million over the past 12 months, underperforming the S&P 500's growth rate of 5.5% [2] - Quarterly revenues have dropped by 24.0%, from $0.976 million a year ago to $0.742 million in the most recent quarter [2] Profitability Metrics - The company reported an Operating Income of -$4.0 million, resulting in an Operating Margin of -116.8%, compared to 13.2% for the S&P 500 [3] - SharpLink's Operating Cash Flow (OCF) was -$4.0 million, yielding an OCF Margin of -117%, while the S&P 500 has an OCF Margin of 14.9% [3] - The Net Income of -$3.2 million indicates a Net Income Margin of -94.1%, contrasting with the S&P 500's 11.6% [3] Strategic Transformation - The $425 million raise positions SharpLink as a publicly-traded Ethereum vehicle, akin to MicroStrategy's role as a Bitcoin proxy, with a more integrated approach through leadership from Joseph Lubin and backing from major crypto venture capital firms [4] - The focus on sports betting and iGaming industries may benefit from blockchain integration, particularly with support from the Ethereum ecosystem [4]