There will be six options for online Indiana sports betting once BetMGM and BetIndiana launch. Both recently received temporary operating licenses.
Roar Digital, the joint venture between MGM Resorts and London-listed sportsbook operator GVC, launches BetMGM as the second online sportsbook at Boyd‘s Belterra Casino in the state. The launch stems from a market-access agreement the US-listed casino operators signed in July 2018.
Boyd’s other partner, FanDuel Sportsbook, has held the second-place spot in the state since its launch. DraftKings Sportsbook has been the clear leader, so far, in Indiana sports betting.
Is Penn mightier than the sword in Indiana?
Aside from being a first mover, DraftKings’ success is likely due to its deal with Penn National‘s Ameristar Casino, which is less than 30 miles from downtown Chicago.
BetIndiana, meanwhile, is an independent sportsbook from USA Sports Gaming that’s partnered with Spectacle Entertainment‘s Majestic Star. Amelco powers this book.
Neither operator has publicly shared a go-live date.
BetMGM looking to capture market share
BetMGM has been a bit of a slow mover when it comes to its US sports betting launch.
Roar launched the BetMGM app in early September to replace the PlayMGM app in New Jersey. The app still had an obvious British feel when it launched as it used commas instead of decimal points.
The app is finally starting to make its way into new states. Roar’s application in Nevada should be approved this month, with a launch expected in March.
Time is on their side
So far, the app’s performance is below expectations, but it still has time to ramp up. Borgata accounted for 7.7% of New Jersey‘s sports betting revenue in December. That’s shy of the 10% to 15% market share GVC wants to see by March, CEO Kenny Alexander said in an October conference call.
One key aspect that hasn’t come up much since the launch is BetMGM’s agreement with Yahoo Sports. Yahoo integrated BetMGM’s odds into Yahoo Sports in mid-November, giving users the option to continue to BetMGM and place a bet in New Jersey.
The exclusive multi-year deal with Yahoo Sports a significant step forward in the US, GVC said in a fourth-quarter trading update. There’s been good progress in the US, so far, with online revenue growing strongly throughout the fourth quarter, the company added.
BetMGM’s official exclusive lacrosse gaming partner
BetMGM is adding another exclusive partner: the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
The two sides announced the partnership earlier this week. The deal will likely do more to raise awareness of the NLL with bettors on the BetMGM platform instead of driving massive handle to BetMGM from lacrosse bettors.
Still, management sounds enthusiastic about the agreement. From Scott Butera, MGM’s President of Interactive Gaming:
“Lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-scoring, growing sport that presents exciting sports betting opportunities. We are greatly impressed by the management and operations of the NLL as evidenced by its strong roster of team owners. The NLL is an ideal partner for BetMGM in accessing a fast-growing lacrosse fan base.”
