Apr 17, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Coyotes players celebrate together on the ice after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 at Mullett Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
- The two sports betting brands have called it quits in the U.S.
- Betway online sports betting was live in nine states, but will continue iGaming services in two of them
- SaharaBets launched sports betting with the Arizona Coyotes in January 2022
Two fringe sports betting operators have called it quits in the U.S.
Betway and SaharaBets both announced their closures in the last 24 hours, as Betway will soon cease its sports betting operations in its nine live U.S. states and SaharaBets immediately ceased its Arizona operations on July 9.
Betway cited a lack of U.S. profitability for its upcoming closure, while SaharaBets is likely shuttering operations due to its partner, the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, relocating to Utah.
Two More Operators Bite the Dust
Betway’s parent company, Super Group, announced its decision to shutter its U.S. sports betting operations early this morning. Super Group will begin the process of fully closing its U.S. sportsbook operations in the nine states its currently live. These include:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Ohio
- Virginia
Super Group’s CEO Neal Menashe revealed profitability issues led to the decision to cease U.S. operations.
“As a global business, we constantly evaluate the optimal use of our resources across all markets in which we operate. We have recently concluded an extensive review of our U.S. operations and, at present, we do not see a long-term path to profitability for the sportsbook product,” he said in a notice on the company’s website.
Despite the sports betting closures, Super Group announced Betway’s iGaming services will continue in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“The vast majority of Super Group’s revenue is generated in iGaming and, in line with that strategy, we will continue to offer our leading casino product in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We are open to expanding our U.S. footprint if the right investment or strategic opportunities arise.”
Earlier this year, Betway announced it would let its Massachusetts sports betting license lapse when it expired in February. Betway had been licensed in the commonwealth for more than a year but had never launched its services.
SaharaBets Without Arizona Partner
SaharaBets announced its closure on its social media platforms yesterday, notifying customers that its sports betting operations would be ending immediately.
Accounts will be available for customers for the next 30 days to allow for outstanding bets to settle and for users to withdraw funds by Aug. 8.
The end became clear for SaharaBets as its Arizona sports betting partner, the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, decided to relocate to Utah. Arizona law requires all licensed sports betting operators to either partner with a state sports franchise or state tribe. Ten licenses are earmarked for sports teams while the other 10 are for tribes.
SaharaBets never gained much traction in the state, consistently one of the lowest performing of the 17 licensed sports betting operators in Arizona. In April, SaharaBets reported just a little over $900,000 in online sports betting handle, leading to just $6,235 in sports betting tax revenue for Arizona.
Arizona Seeking New Licenses
Both SaharaBets and Betway operated in Arizona. With their upcoming or immediate exits, only 15 licensed sports betting operators are currently doing business in the state.
However, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced in early June it would begin accepting application for sports betting licenses this month. The ADG announced it will accept applications for no less than one sports betting licenses for Arizona Tribes and one for Arizona sports franchises.
The application window for licenses will close on July 19.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
In a surprising turn of events, two major online sports betting platforms, Betway and SaharaBets, have announced that they will be discontinuing their services in the United States. This decision comes as a shock to many avid sports bettors who have come to rely on these platforms for their betting needs.
Betway, a popular online sports betting platform known for its wide range of sports markets and competitive odds, has cited regulatory concerns as the reason for its decision to pull out of the U.S. market. The company stated that the ever-changing legal landscape surrounding online gambling in the U.S. has made it increasingly difficult to operate in a compliant manner.
Similarly, SaharaBets, another well-known online sports betting platform, has also announced that it will be ceasing its operations in the U.S. The company has not provided specific reasons for its decision, but industry experts speculate that regulatory challenges may have played a role in the move.
For sports bettors who have been using Betway and SaharaBets for their online betting needs, this news comes as a disappointment. Many users have praised the platforms for their user-friendly interfaces, fast payouts, and reliable customer service. With these platforms no longer available in the U.S., bettors will now have to find alternative options for placing their bets on their favorite sports events.
It is important for sports bettors to be aware of the legal implications of online sports betting in their jurisdiction. While online sports betting is legal in some states, it is still prohibited in others. Bettors should always ensure that they are complying with local laws and regulations when placing bets online.
As Betway and SaharaBets exit the U.S. market, it remains to be seen how this will impact the online sports betting industry as a whole. Will other platforms follow suit and pull out of the U.S., or will new players step in to fill the void left by these departures? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, sports bettors in the U.S. will need to adjust to the absence of Betway and SaharaBets and explore other options for their online betting needs. Whether they choose to switch to a different platform or take a break from online sports betting altogether, one thing is certain – the landscape of online sports betting in the U.S. is constantly evolving, and bettors must stay informed to make the best decisions for their betting activities.
