NY's Resorts World Catskills launches IGT and Betgenius-powered sportsbook
Betting partner bet365 advised on the deal and could exercise its right to take over the technology if mobile betting is legalized in New York
Resorts World Catskills (RWC) has launched its Betgenius and IGT-powered retail sportsbook in New York State.
Betgenius’ trading console has been integrated into IGT’s PlaySports platform to deliver live sports data feeds, price management support and risk management advisory services.
On the partnership, RWC CEO Ryan Eller said: “We have a long and beneficial relationship with IGT and I think Betgenius clearly are a very competent technology provider as well and in combination they offered what we think is going to be the best in class for a retail sportsbook.”
Bet365, RWC’s online betting partner via a $50m deal made last November, advised RWC during the process of determining the right sportsbook supplier for the casino.
“They’ve been great partners and consultant as we were trying to identify what partner to use as we were implementing retail sports betting here,” Eller told EGR.
Eller said bet365 was the operator’s mobile betting partner and will produce a product if and when mobile betting is authorized in New York.
Eller also said the Stoke-headquartered operator could exercise its right to “take over the retail sportsbook and might provide the technology” at that point in time.
RWC now operates the closest retail sportsbook to New York City, although Eller said he does not anticipate it will draw bettors from the city away from the New Jersey state lines, where they can place mobile bets.
“I do think it will help and support visitation from New York City and the New York Metro area, I think it will be part of an overall destination visit where they are placing bets in real-time, in real life and in an environment which has entertainment and programming,” Eller said.
“It’s an experience and one that won’t be easily replaced by shooting across state lines and betting on your phone, it’s a completely different experience and one that lends itself to our position as a premier casino destination.”
The venue will open officially on September 5.
A bill to enable mobile betting at racetracks and professional sports venues was passed by the New York Senate in June but has been held up by the House of Assembly.