The not-so-mysterious partner of Mohegan Sun Pocono has emerged.
In a Monday press release, Kindred Group announced it formed a “strategic partnership” with the Wilkes-Barre casino. Formerly known as Unibet Group, Kindred enters into a five-year agreement with Mohegan with the possibility to extend two additional five-year terms.
Certainly, the enigmatic fog surrounding Mohegan’s PA online gambling partner has dissipated. Moreover, the agreement also indicated the casino’s plans.
From the release:
“Kindred Group (previously Unibet Group) has signed a strategic partnership with Mohegan Sun Pocono, covering online and offline sports betting and online gaming in Pennsylvania. Kindred will offer customers an online sportsbook and casino experience under the Unibet brand, as well as a Unibet sports betting lounge at Mohegan Sun Pocono.”
So, it seems, not only is a Mohegan online casino forthcoming, so, too, is another PA sportsbook.
More about the Kindred/Mohegan partnership
According to the release, Mohegan’s “full destination experience” combined with Kindred’s “digital customer experience and data analysis capacity … will create a unique and strong offering in Pennsylvania.”
Mohegan received conditional approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) late last year to move forward with its plans for online slots and table games. At the time, Mohegan did not divulge the identity of its partner. Only that it “is a well-known public company in Europe” and that it “plans to be present in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
By process of elimination, Kindred appeared as the only logical option, which Monday’s announcement confirmed.
From Aviram Alroy, VP of interactive gaming at Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, which owns Mohegan Sun Pocono:
“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. Introduction of the Kindred offering to the market is a great positive for Mohegan Sun as well as the state of Pennsylvania.”
Mohegan still has PA sports betting work
Mohegan’s foray into online gambling took a big step forward with this announcement. Its journey into PA sports betting, though, has just begun.
As of writing, Mohegan has yet to apply for the $10 million license to offer regulated wagering.
Still, optimism abounds as a result of Monday’s announcement.
From Kindred US Senior Vice President Manuel Stan:
“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. I am confident that Kindred and Mohegan Sun Pocono will offer customers in Pennsylvania a truly great online sports betting and casino experience.”
Kindred expanding footprint
In a way, Kindred already has a presence in the Keystone State.
Kambi Group is a spin-off company of Kindred, and it maintains close ties with its former parent company.
Currently, of the six sportsbooks currently operational in Pennsylvania, four are powered by Kambi.
In nearby New Jersey, Kambi also has market leaders DraftKings Sportsbook and SugarHouse Sportsbook, to name only a few.
A more-direct Kindred tie attaches the group to Hard Rock Atlantic City, with which Kindred formed a sports betting alliance in August.
Now Kindred has its Pennsylvania entry point for both online gambling and PA sports betting.
