Kindred plots Virginia mobile betting expansion
Operator intends to migrate US arm from Pala Interactive to in-house tech platform in the long term
Kindred is applying for a betting license in Virginia as it plans to expand into a number of new US states next year.
The operator is keen to secure one of the 12 online-only licenses on offer in the state, which is preparing to launch state-wide betting in early 2021.
The Virginia Lottery has said it will begin accepting license applications between October 15 and October 31 after publishing regulations in September.
“As you may know there are a limited number of licenses in Virginia so that will be the next target for us. Iowa is also on the list for 2021,” Kindred SVP USA Manuel Stan told EGR North America.
“These three states will be the core of the roadmap for us for late 2020 and into 2021,” he added.
In February, Kindred secured market access in Indiana and Iowa via its partnership with Caesars Entertainment.
It subsequently launched betting in Indiana in July ahead of the 2020 NFL season.
The firm is also plotting launches in Ohio and Illinois next year as Pala Interactive and Kambi prepare to extend their platform deals with Kindred into these new states.
Stan said that Kindred intends to implement its in-house tech platform in the States eventually but has no plans to do so in the short-term.
“With Pala Interactive we have found a very strong strategic partner here and we have been extremely happy with the way things have worked in Pennsylvania,” he added.
“Right now, we are working with Pala on our Illinois launch and we will continue to do so for the other states coming in 2021.”
Kindred Group reported strong Q3 momentum driven by a busy sports calendar and high customer activity in an early trading update last week.
The group’s Q3 revenue hit £280m to mark an annual increase of 24% with underlying EBITDA in the range of £73m-£75m.