On Wednesday, SugarHouse and Hollywood casinos received approval to offer online gambling from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The full interactive gaming license includes slot machines, table games, and poker.
The approval came on the same day the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) released August’s revenue numbers for both online casinos and sports betting in the Garden State.
Play SugarHouse Online Sportsbook & Casino was the first combined online casino and sportsbook to launch in New Jersey. What is surprising about the Pennsylvania casino is that it has not yet applied for a sports betting license.
It’s logical that PA casinos are looking at New Jersey as it readies to launch online casinos and sports betting. Undoubtedly, the revenue figures are likely to foreshadow the PA online gaming market.
SugarHouse may already be servicing PA sports bettors
While PA awaits the launch of sports betting, a short drive to the Garden State may just be the long-awaited scratch for an ever-present sports betting itch. So even though, PlaySugarHouse hasn’t applied for a sports betting license, they may already be offering PA bettors an opportunity to get some skin in the game.
As football kicks into high gear, chances are avid sports bettors are not opposed to making the trip to place a legalized sports wager … or three.
During the first weekend of football, SugarHouse reported having the most live in-game betting options of all online sportsbooks. It offered more than 300 wagers during Sunday afternoon – the busiest time on the football schedule.
Over 50 different betting options during every game resulted in more than double the volume than PlaySugarHouse receives typically.
Will SugarHouse offer mobile sports betting in PA?
On release of the New Jersey revenue numbers, Rush Street Interactive Chief Operating Officer Mattias Stetz spoke aboutSugarHouse Online Sportsbook & Casino had this to say about the company’s performance:
“We’re very happy with the numbers we saw with the NFL opening this week. We believe that the player base will continue to grow as word spreads about the quality and volume of the different live in-game bets PlaySugarHouse.com offers. We are excited about the rest of the football season and look forward to seeing our numbers climb as we strive to continue to offer our players a great user experience.”
If indeed the company is “very happy” about the vertical in New Jersey, why hasn’t it applied for a PA sports betting license?
Currently, Parx and Penn National are the only two casino operators that applied. Considering PlaySugarHouse.com was early to launch in New Jersey, it begs the question, “Why the wait in PA?”
Playin Pennsylvania reached out Stetz to talk about gaming expansion in PA and sports betting in particular. He has yet to return our request for an interview. All that leaves is a lot of speculation about a PA SugarHouse sportsbook.
