Kindred to launch Unibet in Pennsylvania with Mohegan Sun Pocono
Kindred Group has revealed plans to launch its Unibet brand in Pennsylvania after agreeing a strategic partnership with tribal gaming operator Mohegan Sun.
The agreement covers online and land-based sports betting at the tribe's Mohegan Sun Pocono racino, as well as igaming services. The deal will run for an initial five years, with the option to extend for two additional five-year terms.
Kindred will offer customers an online sportsbook and casino experience, as well as opening a Unibet-branded sports betting lounge at the Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Based in the Plains region of Pennsylvania, the racino is owned and operated by the tribe's gaming arm, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment.
“We’ve aligned with one of the best online casino and sport book operators in online regulated markets which will allow us to offer best in class experience to our existing customers as well as attracting new ones,” Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment vice-president interactive gaming, Aviram Alroy, said.
“Introduction of the Kindred offering to the market is a great positive for Mohegan Sun as well as the state of Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania will become the second state that Kindred has entered, after New Jersey. This month the operator began soft testing its sportsbook with Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City ahead of an anticipated full launch in the coming weeks.
Kindred said its partnership with Mohegan Sun Pocono forms part of its process to secure regulatory approval in Pennsylvania. The operator has previously spoken about its expansion ambitions in the state.
Manuel Stan, SVP Kindred US, said: “We are excited and proud to extend our US footprint into one of the largest US states to regulate both online sports betting and casino.
“Finding a strong partner who shares Kindred’s dedication to customer experience and values has been critical, and I am delighted that we have found just that in Mohegan Sun Pocono.”
Once live, Kindred and Mohegan Sun Pocono will compete with a host of other operators that have already rolled out sportsbooks in the state, with six currently live.
Caesars Entertainment is the most recent to go live, launching its Scientific Games-powered offering at the Harrah's Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack.
Also live in Pennsylvania are the William Hill-powered, Penn National Gaming-owned Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse, the Rush Street-operated Rivers and SugarHouse Casinos, and Greenwood Gaming's Parx Casino and South Philadelphia Turf Club.
Image: Smallbones
