OpenBet and Sportradar exit American Gaming Association amid industry shifts
Two major gaming technology providers, OpenBet and Sportradar, have left the American Gaming Association, reflecting evolving priorities between suppliers and industry trade groups amid regulatory and competitive pressures.
Two leading sports wagering technology providers, OpenBet and Sportradar, have officially left the American Gaming Association (AGA), marking a notable shift in the composition of one of the gaming industry’s most influential trade organizations.
Industry observers say the departures highlight changing strategic priorities among key service providers as the U.S. wagering market evolves.
Both companies confirmed that they are no longer members of the AGA and are focusing their engagement on other industry forums and partnerships more closely aligned with business objectives, particularly as the sports wagering landscape continues to grow and fragment.
Who OpenBet and Sportradar Are
OpenBet is a major sports wagering platform provider used by prominent operators in regulated markets worldwide and in the U.S., offering odds management, risk tools, and customer-facing bet engines.
Sportradar is a global technology and data company that supplies sports data, betting services, integrity monitoring, and analytics to operators, leagues, and regulators.
Both firms play crucial roles in powering and supporting licensed sportsbooks, from odds feeds and risk management to live betting platforms, and have historically been members of the AGA to participate in policy discussions and industry advocacy.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is a prominent trade group representing casino and sports betting operators, suppliers, and partners in the U.S., advancing public policy, responsible gaming efforts, and sector research.
Why the Exit Matters
Details on the departures suggest a strategic realignment rather than public conflict. Both companies suggested that their business focus has shifted toward deeper relationships with operators, leagues, and international partners, and away from broad trade-association membership.
In statements, the firms emphasized continued support for responsible gaming, industry collaboration and engagement with regulators, even as they step back from formal participation in the AGA.
Industry analysts see several factors influencing the move:
- Supplier vs. Operator Priorities: Trade groups like the AGA historically emphasize regulatory advocacy, federal policy, and industry promotion, agendas primarily shaped by operators. Technology suppliers may seek forums where their product-centric concerns and commercial objectives can receive more direct focus.
- Regulatory Complexity: As the U.S. continues to refine sports wagering rules state by state, companies that provide technology and data services may prefer engagement with regulators and associations that concentrate specifically on technical and compliance standards rather than high-level policy advocacy.
- Competitive Landscape: As betting technology becomes increasingly commoditized and competitive, suppliers are differentiating themselves through their own brand and partner networks, in some cases outside the traditional trade-association umbrella.
The departures reflect broader discussions in the gaming sector about the role of suppliers in industry coalitions, particularly when trade associations are heavily operator-focused.
Statements From the Companies
In announcing their exits, both OpenBet and Sportradar noted continued enthusiasm for the growth of legalized wagering in the U.S. and praised the AGA’s work on issues such as responsible gaming and public awareness.
OpenBet stated that it looks forward to “participating in industry discussions where its technical expertise can be best leveraged,” while Sportradar affirmed its commitment to integrity services, operator support, and market expansion, even as it shifts organizational affiliations.
Neither company suggested any underlying dispute with the AGA; rather, their statements focused on pragmatic engagement with the parts of the gaming ecosystem most relevant to their operations.
Industry Reaction and Outlook
The gaming and wagering industry has evolved rapidly in recent years, with technology and data providers playing increasingly central roles in operator success.
As such suppliers reassess where they engage in advocacy and collaboration, departures from major trade groups could signal a broader trend:
- Suppliers forming new coalitions: There may be emergence of more specialized industry councils or working groups tailored to vendors, tech platforms and data providers.
- Targeted engagement: Companies may choose to invest their advocacy efforts where regulatory and compliance issues intersect most directly with their products, such as standards for live betting, data integrity, responsible gaming tools and technical oversight.
The AGA continues to represent the interests of a broad spectrum of gaming stakeholders, but the absence of OpenBet and Sportradar underscores that the industry’s collaborative landscape is diversifying.
A Shift in Industry Alliances
OpenBet’s and Sportradar’s decisions to step away from the American Gaming Association reflect a wider recalibration of how key suppliers choose to participate in industry advocacy and collaboration.
As sports wagering continues to mature, with evolving regulation and competitive dynamics, technology and data providers are refining their strategic focus, exploring partnerships and forums that better align with their core business needs.
Their exit may not dramatically diminish the AGA’s influence, but it does highlight how the ecosystem of U.S. gaming trade associations and advocacy networks is in flux, shaped by the differing priorities of operators, suppliers, and regulators alike.
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