- PointsBet’s mobile sports betting platform is live in Pennsylvania following approval by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
- PointsBet will be in ‘soft launch’ status for three days and expects to begin full operations and marketing prior to Super Bowl LVI.
- This is the 10th US state for PointsBet’s online sportsbook following New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia and New York.
Just a few days after PointsBet received licensing for Ontario’s soon-to-launch competitive sports betting market they’ve also added another US state to their portfolio. Earlier today, PointBet announced that they’ve taken their first sports bet in the state of Pennsylvania following approval by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
Under PGCB regulations, PointsBet will now operate in a ‘soft launch’ status for three days after which they’ll begin full operations and marketing in advance of Super Bowl LVI. This is the 10th US state in which PointsBet offers online sports betting following New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia and New York. PointsBet’s corporate headquarters is in Australia, with operations in Australia, the United States, Canada and Ireland. PointsBet was the first of what will eventually be many gaming related businesses to open an office in Denver, Colorado–the new US epicenter of sports betting.
PointsBet has done a good job assimilating to the local market when they enter a new jurisdiction. That was how they’ve expanded in the US and that also appears to be the strategy for Canada. PointsBet sent out a press release last week with reactions on their Ontario licensing. Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer, PointsBet Canada is obviously thrilled to reach this milestone and emphasized the company’s Canadian identity:
“Since day one, we have remained genuine to our promise of building a Canadian sportsbook, with Canadian employees, for the Canadian market. Today’s approval of PointsBet Canada as a licensed sportsbook in Ontario effective April 4, 2022, is a momentous step in unveiling our authentically Canadian gaming experience to the province. In just 60 days, PointsBet Canada’s unmatched speed and ease of use, unrivalled in-game betting capabilities, and unique local partnerships will bring Ontario sports fans a new, responsible, and dynamic form of sports betting and entertainment.”
They’ll presumably use the same playbook for Pennsylvania but in their press release announcing their soft launch they spoke of the growth of PointsBet across the US. PointsBet Group CEO and Managing Director Sam Swanell did the honors:
“PointsBet officially launching in our 10th U.S. jurisdiction represents a very proud moment for our company, and I am especially grateful to our technology and compliance teams for their ongoing dedication and commitment. The PointsBet team is excited to continue to prove our reputation and consistent ability to deliver a world-class experience.”
The press release went into detail about the PointsBet partnership with NBC Sports and how they plan to leverage that as they enter Pennsylvania:
As the official, exclusive sports betting partner of NBC Sports, PointsBet will utilize the media giant’s premium television and digital assets to promote the PointsBet brand in Pennsylvania, where the Comcast Corporation is headquartered. As part of the agreement, NBC Sports provides PointsBet with year-round, multi-platform media and marketing opportunities across its unmatched portfolio of events, including exclusive multiplatform gameday integrations across NBC Sports Philadelphia, regional broadcast home to the Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers. PointsBet’s full Spanish-language functionality will reach Hispanic sports fans via Telemundo Deportes and Telemundo broadcast stations.
PointsBet becomes the 14th company licensed for online sports betting in Pennsylvania.
