Magnolia Bluffs Expands Sportsbook as IGT Helps Casino Operate It Independently

On Thursday, a crowd gathered at the Magnolia Bluffs Casino inward Natchez, Miss., as gambling casino direction and metropolis leaders showed cancelled the property’s updated sportsbook, called Playmakers.

Sports betting had been inward property at the cassino set on the MS River inward the southwestern Mississippi town, for the past leash years – non long after the land became one of the number one to allow sports betting after the US Supreme Margaret Court overturned PASPA inwards May 2018.

Kevin Preston, father and president of casino owner Premier Gaming Group, said the initial draw close to sports betting was to proffer something small and see where it went. As demand grew – not simply for sports betting, but for a sports debar inwards townsfolk – Preston told Casino.org that he knew that on that point was an opportunity.

I just now wanted to perform something that really created a wow factor,” said Preston, noting that neighboring Louisiana is on the verge of launch sports betting. “…we really went in with both feet and did something that created something that’s special in that unit area.”

The young sportsbook features 40 televisions, including a test larger than 18 feet diagonally, and studio infinite for the ESPN wireless send out of Baton Rouge, La., to programme shows. There are also split dining areas as well as a common soldier way that’s useable too.

Staying Independent Helps Small Operators

A small, main(a) casino, Magnolia Bluffs runs its possess sportsbook rather than partner with a subject operator. Preston said that allows the casino to deal Playmakers trading operations more effectively.

That way of life we’re managing our lay on the line and making sure that we’re maximising the dollars coming into the book,” he told Casino.org. “It just makes to a greater extent sentiency for us. If we were larger and in bigger metropolitan areas and had six, seven, viii properties, maybe it would live worth it. But for these smaller, ecological niche markets, to me, (staying independent) makes a great deal to a greater extent sense.”

IGT works with the casino, providing its PlaySports political platform for the Playmakers brick-and-mortar sportsbook.

Preston said the kiosks IGT provides allow for customers to wee-wee their bets chop-chop and easily, while the technology allows cassino direction to run the sportsbook on their own.

“We’re capable to ride a lot more revenue to the bottom line, which is great,” he said.

Asher Takes Over at IGT

Earlier this month, IGT proclaimed that Joe Asher came on table to attend to as the gaming company’s chairwoman of sports betting. Asher founded Brandywine Bookmaking inwards 2008, and so united William Hill as the CEO of its US division after the British-based sports betting manipulator bought Brandywine inward 2012.

Asher left William Hill after it was officially acquired past Caesars Entertainment before this year.

In a statement to Casino.org, Asher said that IGT’s political platform is used past both little main(a) operators and larger ones to get their sportsbook business.

“Leading brands such as FanDuel and PointsBet partner with IGT for their retail sportsbooks, piece operators such as Resorts World Las Vegas and Boyd Gaming employment our peregrine app,” he said. “And customers same Sky Dancer Casino, Pearl River Resort, and the Oneida Tribe apply our turnkey offering, which includes trading services. No matter the sizing of a cassino operator’s business, IGT has a mathematical product that put up be utilised to offering a first-class sports betting product to their customers.”

Expansion Likely on the Horizon

Currently, Preston’s company operates just now Magnolia Bluffs. However, it may presently add together another. As the MS cassino opened its upgraded sportsbook, the Pelican State Gaming Control Board approved Caesars Entertainment’s sale of LA Downs to Rubico Acquisition Corp.

Preston also serves as the prexy of the acquisition corporation.

The cut-rate sale must also live sanctioned by the Pelican State Racing Commission, which is slated to fill Tuesday to debate the transaction. According to a Pelican State Downs release, the sales agreement could shut within years if racing direction officials okay the $22 billion sale.