NFL teams aren’t the only ones gearing up for the season.
Sportsbooks across Pennsylvania are in their version of training camp. They are launching online betting sites and working out the kinks before the most wonderful sports betting time of the year, the NFL regular season, gets underway.
Four mobile sports betting apps have launched in Pennsylvania since May. Earlier this week, Parx online sports betting app debuted in the Apple app store.
It is the first gambling app for Pennsylvania approved since Apple changed its guidelines in June.
However, there is still plenty of skin in the brick-and-mortar PA sportsbook game.
On Aug. 8, Parx Casino cut the ribbon its new $10 million sportsbook. The debut is just in time for the Philadelphia Eagles first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.
“This is a beautiful facility. The chairs are so comfortable. It’s like being in your living room. The atmosphere makes it a night out,” said State Representative Wendi Thomas. She’s an Eagles fan who is predicting them to go all the way and “win more than ten games during the regular season.”
The transformation of Parx Sportsbook
In January 2019, Parx turned the 360 Lounge into a temporary sportsbook. At the time Parx was the fourth sportsbook in Pennsylvania. While it served its purpose to get them in the game, it was a mere placeholder until it completed its permanent home.
The new sportsbook is being dubbed by Parx the “largest and most state-of-the-art new sportsbook in America“ and
“looks to set the industry standard” according to the press release.
“I was here when they were building it and I couldn’t believe the size of it. Today, I’m just in awe. In the past when you wanted to make a bet you went to a bookie. This is a great place to relax, have a drink and watch games,” said Bensalem Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo.
Information about the new Parx Sportsbook
The entrance for the new Parx Sportsbook is next to Liberty Bell Gastropub and the Parx Beer Garden.
The entrance for the new Parx Sportsbook is next to Liberty Bell Gastropub and the Parx Beer Garden.Parx Sportsbook features:
- 7,400 square foot space
- A sweeping 156-foot HD media wall that can show up to 36 games all at the same time.
- Six live tellers
- 18 kiosks
- 200 seats
- Capacity for 422 people
- Three VIP areas
- 38’ x 14’ bar with 38 seats
- A dramatic four-tier light design hanging from above.
- USB charging ports in seats
At the bar, there is a full menu of beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails. For hungry fans, the menu offers “elevated game day favorites,” including chicken wings, a Philly cheesesteak, a selection of burgers, and a vegan Impossible burger.
Hours of operation for Parx Sportsbook
The new Parx Sportsbook will be open 24/7. Pending sports schedules, ten to sixteen hours of live teller assistance will be available seven days a week.
The new Parx Sportsbook will be open 24/7. Pending sports schedules, ten to sixteen hours of live teller assistance will be available seven days a week.There are 18 self-service Kambi-operated sports betting kiosks available in the sportsbook. There are other sports betting kiosks throughout the casino floor.
Parx Sportsbook grand opening promotion
The first 1,000 people to come through the sportsbook doors on August 8th received a $25 free bet when they fund their online sports betting account with at least $25. The promotion is available to both new signups and people with existing Parx Casino online accounts.
Sports betting revenue numbers
Neighboring New Jersey shows the strength in online revenue numbers.
New Jersey’s 2018’s total revenue for online sports betting was $53,627,434. In comparison, retail sports betting was $40,394, 959.
Pennsylvania sports betting revenue numbers for June offered just a glimpse of the power of the online market. In July, Pennsylvania got its first full taste of online betting, with SugarHouse’s online sportsbook responsible for 40% of wagers.
“Though a small sample size, it shows that online sports betting should not only draw significant action over digital channels, it could also help grow the state’s retail sportsbooks,” said Jessica Welman, sports betting analyst for playin-pennsylvania.com.
