- BetMGM has launched their mobile horse racing app in Florida and Louisiana.
- The BetMGM Horse Racing app was created in partnership with NYRA Bets
- BetMGM now plans to take the app to additional markets throughout the US.
Establishing a presence in two states that will eventually offer online and mobile sports betting, BetMGM has announced the launch of their horse racing platform in Florida and Louisiana. The new jurisdictions make it three states for the BetMGM Horse Racing app joining Ohio which came online in late October.
the BetMGM Horse Racing app is operated in partnership with NYRA Bets, the advanced deposit wagering (ADW) arm of the New York Racing Association. Despite the geographically specific name, NYRA Bets offers wagering in thirty US states. When the BetMGM platform launched in Ohio earlier this year, the press release making the announcement explained the partnership with NYRA Bets in greater detail:
BetMGM announced today the launch of the BetMGM Horse Racing mobile app in Ohio, setting the stage for the BetMGM Horse Racing app’s entry into additional markets nationwide. BetMGM Horse Racing allows Buckeye State customers to watch and wager on premier Thoroughbred, Harness and Quarter Horse races at more than 200 tracks around the world.
NYRA Bets is the official online wagering platform of the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and a leading provider of horse racing content in the U.S. Utilizing NYRA Bets’ capabilities, the BetMGM Horse Racing app allows customers in Ohio to place bets conveniently from home. The app features daily horse racing content, live streaming video, race replays and wagering opportunities on marquee events in the U.S. This includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup, as well as international events such as the Royal Ascot meet, Melbourne Cup, Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup.
Providing horse race betting to players in Florida and Louisiana is not the primary goal for BetMGM–the launch of the BetMGM Horse Racing app in these states is a tactical move in advance of both offering mobile and retail sports betting in the future. Louisiana has already launched retail sports betting though they’re taking longer to put together a framework for mobile/online betting for some inexplicable reason. Sports betting in Florida is a mess right now–Governor Ron DeSantis wanted to gift the entirety of the state’s massive sports betting market to the Seminole Tribe which runs casino betting in the state and are powerful political cronies as well as financial benefactors to the states elected class. That was the plan at least until the courts intervened and torpedoed the entire scheme. Sports betting is now back at ‘Square One’. Depending on how the mobile sports betting pie is cut up, there may be some advantage for BetMGM if they’re already active in the state.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt framed the launch of the company’s horse racing app as part of a ‘Southern strategy’:
“Today’s launch in Florida and Louisiana sets the stage for BetMGM to engage with a new customer base in the South. The BetMGM Horse Racing app is a key part of our market expansion plans and will accelerate our continued growth into 2022.”
Both Florida and Louisiana are major horse racing markets–here’s how the press release announcing the launch outlined what the app will offer and how to get it:
The app features daily horse racing content, live streaming video, race replays and wagering opportunities on marquee events in the U.S. such as the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, Pegasus World Cup, and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Additionally, users can access a live stream of races from international events like Royal Ascot, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup and The Grand National.
The BetMGM Horse Racing app is now available for download in Florida, Louisiana and Ohio on both iOS and Android devices. As BetMGM continues to expand to new areas, responsible gaming education remains a key focus. BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly. For more information on BetMGM, follow @BetMGM on Twitter.
In one form or another, BetMGM now serves 18 states with the recent launch of retail betting in Washington State being the latest sports betting addition to their portfolio.
