Every Friday, Covers takes a look back at the week that was in the sports betting industry. With a collection of sports betting news and notes, we intend to cover all the bases.
Hard Rock Bet Celebrates 1 Year of Sports Betting
Hard Rock Bet launched an exclusive promotion to its customers in Florida. The promotion offered $1,000,000 in bonus bets until Saturday. The promotion is to celebrate Hard Rock Bet’s one-year anniversary as the exclusive sports betting provider in the Sunshine State, which went live on December 7, 2023.
To claim the promotions, users log into their Hard Rock Bet account each day and aim to be the first players to opt in to the promotion. For the first five days, 20,000 customers could claim a $5 bonus bet daily. On the final day, 50,000 players can claim a $10 bonus bet for parlays with three legs or more.
You did it!!
— Hard Rock Bet (@HardRockBet) December 3, 2024
Another drop later today. Stay tuned!! https://t.co/GAQfRVhdjN pic.twitter.com/bYrOc6e6XH
The exclusive promotion is only available in Florida and is one of several steps Hard Rock Bet has taken to win over customers in the Sunshine State. The sportsbook initially launched in November 2021 but was forced to shut down in December following legal challenges from local pari-mutuel betting operators disputing the operator’s right to be Florida’s exclusive sports betting provider. Once the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case in June, it cleared the way for Hard Rock Bet to operate in the state.
After winning its legal challenges and getting the security to launch as the exclusive provider of sports betting in Florida, Hard Rock Bet became the official sportsbook of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. The operator followed that up by partnering with Duffy’s Sports Grill, which has 30 locations in Florida.
Hector Fernandez named CEO of combined IGT, Everi company
Everi has revealed that Hector Fernandez will take over as CEO of the holding company formed by Apollo Global Management to acquire International Game Technology (IGT) and Everi Holdings.
Fernandez will join the company by Q4 of 2025. Once the deal is closed and until Fernandez arrives, Nick Khin, president of Global Gaming at IGT, will serve as interim CEO. The holding company will be divided into three businesses: Digital, FinTech, and Gaming.
Khin will move to take over as CEO of gaming upon Fernandez’s arrival. Meanwhile, Gil Rotem, the current president of IGT PlayDigital, will take over as CEO of digital. Darren Simmons, the current executive Vice President and FinTech business leader at Everi, will join as CEO of FinTech.
“We’re thrilled to name Hector Fernandez as the future CEO of the combined enterprise," said Daniel Cohen, partner at Apollo. "As we look to position IGT Gaming and Everi as a premier, diversified customer-centric platform at the forefront of innovation in the gaming and fintech industries, Hector brings an impressive track record of successfully scaling operations and strengthening customer relationships while being a champion for strong values. Hector shares our vision to lead this talented global workforce and will foster a people-first culture across the combined enterprise.”
Fernandez was previously the CEO of Aristocrat Gaming. It was announced earlier this week he was leaving the company to take a role with a competing firm.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this journey with IGT Gaming and Everi," Fernandez said. "I look forward to partnering with the very talented teams at both companies, as well as the Apollo team leading the transaction.”
Aristocrat Leisure Limited said its CFO and EVP of Operations, Craig Toner, will step in to replace Fernandez with immediate effect.
Fernandez joined Aristocrat in 2017 as CFO of the Americas Gaming business unit. He was later appointed as CEO of Aristocrat Gaming in 2022.
Ohio Lottery selects Scientific Games as its new partner
Following a competitive procurement process by the State of Ohio, Scientific Games revealed it was selected as the Ohio Lottery’s new gaming system partner. Scientific Games will support the Lottery with its facilities management services and its team of gaming and technology experts.
Scientific Games will provide the lottery with its AEGIS central gaming system and Infuse business intelligence tool, which are both part of its Momentum ecosystem. Its WAVE terminals and Lottery InMotion digital content system will support the lottery’s extensive retailer network, while PlayCentral machines, which offer expanded game content, will support new retailer and restaurant locations.
“On behalf of all the Scientific Games teams who have been hard at work developing a responsible, sustainable growth plan for the Ohio Lottery with our newest, performance-driven technology, we are celebrating this award. We look forward to working with the Ohio Lottery to bring new products and technology which will ultimately help support education funding in Ohio,” Scientific Games CEO Pat McHugh said.
All profits from the Ohio Lottery help support the state's K-12, vocational, and special education programs. Since its founding in 1973, the Ohio Lottery has provided more than $32 billion to these programs.
It's been a busy year for Scientific Games, which is partnering with several brands as part of its SG Content Hub Partner Program, including iLottery provider EQL Games.
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