FanDuel set for Pennsylvania sportsbook launch
Paddy Power Betfair's FanDuel is to expand its sports betting services into Pennsylvania, with a sportsbook to open at Boyd Gaming's Valley Forge Casino Resort near Philadelphia later today (March 13).
The 1,800sq ft sportsbook will feature seven teller windows, 29 video displays, two sports tickers and a seating area. Customers will be able to place bets on major US sporting events and collegiate sports.
FanDuel will provide its risk and trading platform and also manage the location, working in partnership with Boyd Gaming and Valley Forge.
The new sportsbook will open to the public later today (March 13). Brent Celek, a former professional American football player with Pennsylvania-based NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles, will place the ceremonial first bet.
“Opening the FanDuel sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort is the start of FanDuel Group’s retail sports betting expansion in partnership with Boyd Gaming,” FanDuel CEO Matt King.
“Our experience operating the top sportsbook in New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack will serve us well as we enter Philadelphia and compete for customers in an area with some of the most passionate and knowledgeable sports fans.”
The launch serves as an extension of a partnership between FanDuel and Boyd, with the two parties having already launched a sportsbook at Boyd’s IP Casino Resort and Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“In less than a year, FanDuel has established itself as the leading sports-betting brand in a competitive New Jersey market,” Boyd Gaming chief executive Keith Smith said.
“We look forward to bringing their market-leading product to Valley Forge, and are confident the FanDuel sportsbook will serve as a powerful draw for new and existing customers throughout the Philadelphia market.”
FanDuel maintained its position as the leading online operator in New Jersey in January, as Meadowlands generated revenue of $7.0m (£5.3m/€6.2m), although this figure was down 23% on December’s blockbuster $9.1m figure.
Pennsylvania’s total sports betting revenue almost doubled month-on-month to just over $32m (£24.8m/€28.3m) in January, compared to $2.01m in December.
FanDuel is already active in Pennsylvania’s fantasy sports market and generated $998,218 in revenue in January. This was just behind market-leader DraftKings with revenue of $1.0m for the month.
Image: Montgomery County Planning Commission