bet365 Receives Approval to Operate in Pennsylvania

22.07.2024

bet365 has officially been granted permission to enter the Pennsylvania online gaming market following final approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

Soft Launch and Market Entry

The British sportsbook commenced a soft launch test period earlier in the week and is now set to fully launch as the 12th sportsbook in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is also the eleventh state where bet365 has established its presence, following Ohio, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Iowa, and Indiana.

However, in Pennsylvania, the competition for market shares is already fierce, and bet365 will have to contend with rivals such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and BetRivers.

Partnership with Presque Isle Downs & Casino

bet365’s entry into the Pennsylvania market is facilitated through a partnership with Presque Isle Downs & Casino, a subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated. The partnership was established in January 2023 and has provided bet365 with the necessary market access to offer its services in the state.

It’s worth noting that the European sports betting giant is one of the few operators that consciously opts out of the race to be first on newly launched markets. Time will tell if this strategy will pay off in a large and crowded market like Pennsylvania.