September Surge: The NFL Kickoff and Pennsylvania Online Casinos

caleb tallman
By:
Caleb Tallman
09/13/2023
NFL
NFL Sports News

Highlights

  • NFL kickoff spurs activity in PA online sportsbooks, driving revenue growth.
  • BetMGM faces market share challenges as DraftKings and FanDuel gain ground.
  • BetMGM adopts cross-promotional strategies and partnerships for a competitive edge.

The start of the NFL season not only ignites the excitement of football fans but also sparks increased activity in the realm of Pennsylvania's online sportsbooks. Over the past two years, online casino revenue has experienced a notable surge, with at least a 6% increase from August to September.

In this article, we will delve into the impact of the NFL kickoff on online casino activities in Pennsylvania, explore the recent performance of key operators, and discuss the strategies employed to maintain or regain market share.

BetMGM's Position in the Pennsylvania Online Casino Market

BetMGM Sportsbook, a prominent player in the PA online sportsbook market, has been experiencing shifts in its market share. The second quarter of 2023 witnessed a slight decline in its online casino market share. DraftKings Sportsbook, on the other hand, ascended to the top position in terms of gross gaming revenue (GGR), with FanDuel Sportsbook making significant strides.

In August, BetMGM found itself in third place in terms of PA online casino downloads, trailing behind both DraftKings and FanDuel. Eilers & Krejcik Gaming's data revealed that  FanDuel Casino PA experienced a significantly higher download rate in August compared to DraftKings and BetMGM. This trend indicates the growing popularity of FanDuel's online casino offering.
BetMGM's market share has faced challenges, and the operator must now contend with competitors like Caesars Palace Casino. However, the quality of the BetMGM app is recognized as a valuable asset that can help mitigate substantial losses in GGR share.

The Significance of September for Pennsylvania Online Casinos

September holds special significance for Pennsylvania online casinos as it often sets the tone for the final quarter of the year. Since 2021, September has consistently ranked as the second-most lucrative period for PA online casino revenue within the first nine months of the year.

The revenue for September 2021 amounted to $111.9 million, while September 2022 witnessed a substantial increase, generating $139.7 million in revenue. Projections suggest that September 2023 could surpass $160 million in earnings.

BetMGM's Strategy for September and Beyond

During the Q4 2023 earnings call, BetMGM's CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the company's product offering. This acknowledgment has played a role in BetMGM's recent loss of market share. However, with football's return, BetMGM is gearing up to execute cross-promotions targeting sportsbook PA bettors to bolster online casino activity.

BetMGM has entered into a partnership with Angstrom Sports to provide players with sports modeling, forecasting, and data analytics. This strategic move aims to enhance the overall user experience and reposition BetMGM as a formidable player in the online casino market.

Hornbuckle expressed optimism about the future: "I think the moves that we're now making with Entain, our partner, and the moves we're going to make with Angstrom will get us to a place where we'll be back in that game in a meaningful way and hopefully begin to gain some share back."

Furthermore, BetMGM has embarked on a cross-promotional campaign, collaborating with the Pittsburgh Steelers to offer Steelers-branded games and contests, with exclusive Steelers tickets as prizes.

Additionally, BetMGM plans to launch the immensely popular Buffalo slot, traditionally a land-based game, as an online casino offering in Pennsylvania. BetMGM's commitment to continuous innovation positions it as a contender in the competitive online casino landscape.

Impact of the NFL Season and the Pennsylvania Gaming Industry

As the NFL season commences, Pennsylvania online casinos experience a surge in activity, marking September as a pivotal month for the industry. The competitive dynamics among key operators like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel continue to evolve, with strategies focused on retaining and expanding market share.

BetMGM aims to solidify its position and compete vigorously in the online casino race with cross-promotions, strategic partnerships, and innovative offerings. The conclusion of Q4 will provide a clearer picture of how these strategies have shaped the online sportsbook landscape in Pennsylvania.

A huge sports fan; locally, many know me as the guy who does the PA for our high school football team on Friday nights. Having grown up in Michigan, I am a sports fan of all the Detroit teams, and at the college level, I love Michigan State sports. I have covered sports betting, iGaming and casino industry news for many well known websites.