Three Pennsylvania Casinos Nearing Sportsbook Launch

This week, conditional sports betting licenses were handed to provider of sportsbook solutions, Kambi, and Rush Street Interactive. The licenses were awarded by The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)!

Rush Street Interactive already operates the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia as well as Rivers Casino, whereas Kambi is set to initiate their sportsbook in state’s biggest casino – Parx owned by Greenwood Gaming.

Additions to a Future Blooming Market

Kambi and Parx Casino – which has obtained a conditional license before – struck a partnership agreement in early November. The acquisition of the official body’s regulatory license means that Kambi is going to launch their services very soon.

Another notable thing is…

…that this sportsbook provider was also named Rush Street’s technology partner as early as this spring.

However, before Parx is able to fully kickstart their sportsbook, they must undergo a two-day testing period during which PGCB will be making an assessment if the premises are ready for such operations, if systems are working properly and if the staff is trained.

Calm Before the Storm

As of now, only Hollywood Casino has a sportsbook that’s already set its wheels in motion. Powered by William Hill, this Penn National-owned venue went live with sports betting on November 17th.

In Caesars Entertainment-owned Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino, Scientific Games will be providing their own sportsbook technology, whereas Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia has partnered with Paddy Power Betfair FanDuel subsidiary and will launch their services eventually.

In PA, the tax on gross gaming revenue is 36%, while licenses cost $10 million. In October, producer of table games and gaming machines AGS also acquired this state’s license.

More Big Names on the Horizon

At the beginning of the month, one of the largest casino conglomerates in the world, MGM Resorts submitted a request for PA online gaming licenses in all three available categories – online poker, online slots and online table games.

Golden Nugget is another one of those who wish to get in on the market of Pennsylvania which is going to be one of the largest in the US, with 13 million people being potential clientele. They have submitted an application to PGCB for slots and table games license.

Also debuting this year with Pennsylvania Lottery were a couple of virtual sports games that give players a chance to win $250 in cash. Xpress Football and Xpress Car Racing are taking place every five minutes and can be viewed on TV screens in real time at over 15,000 locations.

Source:

“Trio of Pennsylvania casinos move closer to sportsbook launch”, igamingbusiness.com, November 29, 2018.