Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on February 9th, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome, was the eleventh Super Bowl to be held in New Orleans, and it was not the close affair we expected! In fact, the Eagles reached an insurmountable lead of 34 points before the Chiefs managed a first score. The event boasted record peak views of around 135 million, up from 124 million last year.
It was also a record-breaking 2025 in gambling terms, with significant growth in online betting compared to last year’s, reflecting the continued expansion of legal online sports betting in the US. An estimated $1.39 billion was gambled on Super Bowl LIX, up from $1.25 billion in legal bets for Super Bowl LVIII — a growth of about 11%. This figure marks the first time the American Gaming Association (AGA) based its estimate solely on legal wagers, unlike previous years that included illegal and casual bets, suggesting the actual increase in regulated online activity could be even higher as the market shifts toward legal channels.
This year also saw at least one $1m bet and a six-figure wager on the coin flip (tails by the way).
Continent 8 customer, FanDuel, reported record-breaking activity for Super Bowl LIX, with over 16.6 million bets placed by almost 3 million customers, a nearly 20% increase in bets from the 14 million recorded for LVIII (which totalled $307 million in wagers from 2.5 million users). In New York alone, a key online sports betting market, the Super Bowl LIX week saw a handle (total amount wagered) of over $557 million, with $155 million tied directly to the game, outpacing last year’s figures. FanDuel’s handle in New York for that week was $222.2 million, and DraftKings reported $193.9 million, both reflecting robust growth.
As the largest network, infrastructure and cybersecurity supplier to the US and global regulated iGaming market, Continent 8 can report its stats for Super Bowl LIX:
Continent 8 is no stranger to supporting high-traffic sporting contests. Whether it is annually for the Grand National or Cheltenham horse racing events in the UK and Ireland, the UEFA Champions League across Europe, March Madness in the US, or every four years for the UEFA Euro finals or FIFA World Cup, we know what it takes to ensure platform uptime.
As the partner of choice for iGaming and sports betting hosting, for both operators and suppliers alike, live in 31 US states, and supporting more than 90% of the largest brands in the marketplace (EGR US Power Rankings), we have the solutions and support systems in place that ultimately give companies the confidence they need to maximise the acquisition and retention opportunities these events present.
As standard for identified special sporting events, we:
In addition to this:
What’s key throughout is ensuring our customers are aware of all activity with notifications regularly sent such as internet and MPLS data, as well as average and maximum traffic in and out.
The Super Bowl is a huge event for sportsbooks, particularly now that the US has opened up online gambling (in varying capacity) in 31 states.
And after a very short amount of breathing space, we prepare for March Madness in the same vein!
Live in 31 states: Our expansion in the US began with a state-of-the-art data centre in Atlantic City, enabling customers to take advantage of the online sports betting market opportunities in New Jersey, while gaining immediate access to the Continent 8 global network. Today, we are live in 31 US states, with several new sites in the pipeline.
First-to-market: We have an aggressive strategy to ensure we are the first iGaming hosting provider in state, enabling our customers to capitalise on the fast-growing and competitive US iGaming and online sports betting market. Most recently, we went live in Missouri.
Regulated and compliant: We have vast regulatory experience and a dedicated compliance team, with strong regulator relationships across states, ensuring a complaint iGaming hosting solution for each.
Growing global team: We are a global team of 300+ specialists with a local presence – we ensure we have a team on the ground in the US to help you expand.
Learn more about our trusted solutions in the US here or contact the team via sales@continent8.com
In December, Michael Tobin, Founder and CEO of Continent 8 Technologies, served as a featured speaker at an exclusive event hosted by Startup Grind Isle of Man.
During an insightful fireside chat titled, ‘How to Build and Run a Global Business from the Isle of Man – and Why?’, hosted by Stephen Trimble, Michael shared valuable insights and personal experiences from his remarkable career.
For those unable to attend, the informative chat can be watched here:
Alternatively, below are some fun facts and the key takeaways from the event.
Michael Tobin, originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, began his career as a Chartered Accountant with a prominent accounting firm after graduating from McGill University. In was in this role that he recognised the increasing demand for data centres, which led him to establish Continent 8 Technologies.
Continent 8 has emerged as a leading global provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity services, delivering world-class solutions to the biggest names in the iGaming and online sports betting industry, including Apricot (formerly Microgaming) and PokerStars.
Continent 8 initially provided infrastructure services to the financial services sector. However, a pivotal moment occurred when an early pioneer in the online gaming space sought Continent 8’s services. This opportunity prompted Continent 8 to pivot and specialise in data centre services tailored to iGaming.
The growth of the online gaming industry paralleled Continent 8’s expansion, enabling them to assist iGaming operators and suppliers in optimising their online support and capabilities.
Continent 8’s decision to establish operations in the Isle of Man was influenced by one of its customers, who facilitated introductions to local government officials and key advisors. These connections were instrumental in positioning the Isle of Man as a central location in Continent 8’s long-term strategic plan. Michael’s initial experience with the Isle of Man was also notably impactful.
Michael shares, “When I came here for the first time, there is something that felt right. That’s when we established a formal entity in 2005 and called it Continent 8. The following year, this is where we would base ourselves.
Today, the Isle of Man remains integral to Continent 8’s success – we have built a state-of-the-art data centre in Douglas and employ a team of over 20 skilled professionals and specialists locally.”
After establishing a presence in the Isle of Man, Continent 8 expanded into Europe with data centres in Gibraltar, Malta and other key iGaming jurisdictions and locations. When regulation permitted (since the repeal of PASPA), they targeted North America, first launching their impressive data centre in New Jersey, recognised as the sports betting capital of the US.
Today, Continent 8 operates more than 100 interconnected locations, with an active presence in 30 US states and operations in all major regulated iGaming jurisdictions in LATAM.
Michael advises aspiring entrepreneurs to strategically align with suitable partners, including mentors and advisors. He underscores the importance of cultivating positive, trustworthy relationships that help move your endeavors in a positive direction.
Michael highlighted, “Find partners and advisers who complement your skills and provide new perspectives. Trust is key, and over time, you’ll learn who you can rely on.”
Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, explores the benefits of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT).
Tribal casinos are experiencing substantial financial growth. As highlighted in my previous blog, 2023 was a landmark year for the tribal gaming sector, with revenues hitting a record $41.9 billion USD, as reported by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Consequently, tribal casinos are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with reports suggesting a nearly 60% increase in cyber attacks on tribes in 2023.
With significant financial and personal data at stake, cybersecurity in tribal gaming and casino environments is a critical priority. But where should you start? In this blog, I’ll explain why Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is the perfect first step to bolster tribal gaming cybersecurity.
Let’s begin by defining VAPT. Craig Lusher, our Product Principal of Secure Solutions, describes VAPT as the following:
“VAPT is defined as a comprehensive set of cybersecurity services that helps organizations identify, assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure, applications and networks. Periodic Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) scan to detect exploitable vulnerabilities in customer networks and infrastructure and record them in a register, prioritizing remedial work and demonstrating continuous improvement. Penetration Tests (PTs) use identified vulnerabilities to further exploit and gain access, testing the efficacy of preventative security measures, procedures and technology.”
By simulating real-world cyber attacks, pentesting enables tribal casino IT and cybersecurity teams to identify system weaknesses and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. This strategy not only strengthens the casino environment but also ensures that cybersecurity measures remain robust and adaptable to evolving threats.
VAPT aims to establish what we at Continent 8 call a “hardened cybersecurity posture.”
A hardened cybersecurity posture integrates multiple protective layers, adhering to best practices for adaptability to threats and changes. It begins with technical controls such as network segmentation, access management and encryption, complemented by active defenses including web application and API protection, intrusion detection and cybersecurity monitoring. This approach is guided by policies and procedures for incident response and risk management.
The core components of a hardened cybersecurity posture create a robust defense system. Technical controls prevent attacks, while monitoring systems identify threats. Regular assessments are conducted to uncover vulnerabilities and governance ensures consistent implementation. This comprehensive approach ensures that even if one safeguard fails, multiple other layers remain to protect assets.
Implementing VAPT protocols is a beneficial practice for any tribal gaming organization. These measures not only bolster cybersecurity but also streamline internal and external audits.
By maintaining detailed records of testing and remediation efforts, casinos can demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity to auditors. This transparency not only aids in passing audits but also enhances the casino’s reputation as a reliable and secure establishment.
Regular penetration testing provides tribal casinos with ongoing monitoring and enhancement of cybersecurity protocols, helping them stay ahead of potential cyber threats. This ensures a safer and more secure environment for both operations and players, while also building trust with internal and external parties and stakeholders. This proactive approach, again, is vital in preserving the casino’s integrity and reputation.
When choosing penetration testing tools for tribal casino and gaming cybersecurity, select tools that offer comprehensive coverage, capable of evaluating a wide range of vulnerabilities across multiple systems and applications.
A comprehensive VAPT service should encompass the following:
For more information on VAPT or to book a meeting with me at TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit or the Indian Game Tradeshow (Booth 18), contact me at jerad.swimmer@continent8.com.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also, be sure to watch the latest episode in our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series – also available on Spotify – to gain a deeper understanding of the technological advancements, cybersecurity challenges and best practices shaping tribal gaming landscape.