Kindred targets NJ sportsbook launch in Q1 2019
Kindred Group is aiming to launch in New Jersey's regulated sports betting market in the first quarter of 2019, after expanding its existing supply deal with Kambi.
The operator has amended its current contract with Kambi, its former subsidiary and long-term sportsbook platform provider, to cover the New Jersey market as it prepares for the launch.
Kindred has also partnered Scientific Games' SG Digital division ahead of its move into the US, with the supplier to power its online casino offering. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City will serve as the operator's licensing partner while it pursues a Casino Service Industry Enterprise licence from the state's Division of Gaming Enforcement.
“We have not finalised the exact timelines [for the New Jersey launch] but we are aiming for Q1 2019,” senior vice president of Kindred US Manuel Stan (pictured) told iGamingBusiness.com.
The operator is also plotting moves into other US jurisdictions, and has been rumoured to be close to announcing a deal with Pennsylvania's Mohegan Sun Pocono. However Stan told iGamingBuiness.com that no such agreement is currently in place.
“At the moment, the focus is to launch in New Jersey,” he explained. “At the same time, we are closely evaluating all other states regulating, and of course Pennsylvania is a very interesting opportunity.
“We are closely evaluating all the states regulating sports betting,” Stan continued. “At the moment, the north-east region is the most active in this space. All regulated states are of interest […] but at this moment we have no agreement with any casinos in Pennsylvania.”
Kambi, which was spun off from Kindred four years ago, powers around 70% of the current online sports betting operators in New Jersey. Its partners include DraftKings, SugarHouse and 888sport.
Kambi is also seeking to launch in other states across the US as and when they legalise sports betting. The supplier has deals in place with Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment and Rush Street Interactive in Pennsylvania, which will see it power sports betting at Parx Casino, Philadelphia's SugarHouse Casino and Rivers Casino.
Last week Kambi was awarded a conditional licence by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, moving it a step closer to being cleared to launch sports betting.
Kambi said in a statement last month that it will open a retail venue before the end of the year, but has not set a date for an online roll-out in the state.
Meanwhile, Kindred’s core Unibet brand has entered into a global racing services partnership with Australian odds specialist BetMakers.
Under the deal, Betmakers’ Global Betting Services (GBS) division will provide Unibet with a racing service for the operator’s global platforms. Unibet holds licences in 13 countries around the world, including the UK and Australia, and the deal will cover all of these markets.
The supplier agreement includes various GBS services, including Premium Price Manager, Racing Data Delivery Services and Dynamic Odds trading, as well as tote access.
Ben Colley, head of global racing at Kindred, said: “Outside of the obvious benefits of aggregating what we see as key feed requirements with ancillary, complementary racing services, we also enjoy the benefit of a global tote connection and expanded international racing content from the BetMakers.”
BetMakers’ GBS last month also signed a deal with William Hill, providing the operator with a range of tools to enhance its racing product for UK, US and B2B partners.