NetEnt targets Pennsylvania

NetEnt wants its online casino games to be live in Pennsylvania from the launch of regulated internet wagering in the US state after applying to the local regulator for a supplier licence.

NetEnt confirmed today (Wednesday) that it has filed an application with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to provide online table and slot games to operators.

“We have enjoyed success in New Jersey and believe that this will continue in Pennsylvania,” NetEnt Americas’ managing director, Erik Nyman, said.

“We will launch with a mix of our table games, video slots, jackpot games and unique features like free spins that have been greatly appreciated by our customers and their players. Our ambition is to be live in Pennsylvania as soon as the market opens.”

Since Pennsylvania’s state legislature approved a bill to allow online casino gambling nearly a year ago, the state has been processing applications for separate online gambling licences for slots, table games and poker.

With 11 of Pennsylvania’s 13 casinos having applied for iGaming licences, the PGCB is offering seven outstanding licences out of the 39 initially available to out-of-state operators, with the window for applications set for October 15-31.

The PGCB told iGamingBusiness.com last week that a “co-ordinated launch” of online wagering in the state “is likely to happen if not towards the end of this year, then early next year”.

However, the regulator added that the launch date was dependent on awarding licences to casino suppliers, as well as the operators themselves.

NetEnt noted that Pennsylvania is the second largest US state to regulate online casinos and the fifth largest state by population overall, with almost 13 million inhabitants. The company added that the state’s track record for land-based gambling suggested that players generate “relatively high gross game revenue per capita”.

In other news, the PGCB’s latest Fantasy Sports Contests Revenue Report, published yesterday, underlined the dominance of DraftKings and FanDuel in the state, with adjusted revenue of $502,000 and $424,000 respectively in August accounting for more than 98% of Pennsylvania’s daily fantasy sports market.