- PointsBet is now live in Virginia for mobile and online sports betting.
- PointsBet entered into a partnership agreement with Colonial Downs Group for online market access in Virginia earlier this year.
- PointsBet is now live in 8 states–Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, and New Jersey–with several states in the pipeline.
Despite being kept out of the Arizona sports betting market–for now at least–due to the state’s corrupt license distribution methodology Australian import PointsBet continues to expand their US market presence. From headquarters in the new epicenter of US sports betting–Denver, Colorado–PointsBet is now live in seven states and has done a phenomenal job of establishing their brand through a variety of promotional partnerships with their deal with NBC Sports being the most notable.
Less than a month ago, PointsBet announced a market access deal for Virginia in partnership with the owners of Colonial Downs racetrack At the same time, they announced that they had been awarded a temporary supplier license from the Virginia Lottery which unfortunately has oversight of sports betting in the state…er….’Commonwealth’. Earlier today, PointsBet announced that they are now live in Virginia offering mobile and online sports betting. Here’s the 411 on their market access relationship with Colonial Downs from the ‘go live’ press release:
The Virginia Lottery recently issued PointsBet, together with racetrack Colonial Downs, an official supplier license to offer online sports wagering in Virginia. Colonial Downs, a subsidiary of California-based Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, is the only licensed gaming company operating and headquartered in Virginia, operating Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent County and Vinton, Virginia, as well as the Colonial Downs Racetrack, also in New Kent County, Virginia.
At the time PointsBet was licensed in Virginia they made clear they planned to leverage their partnership with NBC Sports to gain market share in the new jurisdiction:
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 Virginia. 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 Washington, regional broadcast home to the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals. PointsBet’s full Spanish-language functionality will reach Hispanic sports fans via Telemundo Deportes and Telemundo broadcast stations.
Here’s what PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken said at the time of their Virginia licensing:
“Being awarded the opportunity to offer PointsBet’s market-leading speed and ease of use, unrivaled slate of betting options, and overall in-play excellence to the people of Virginia is a great achievement and responsibility. Alongside Colonial Downs, PointsBet is proud to partner with the Lottery in Virginia for our first lottery-regulated market license award. We couldn’t be more thrilled to further expand our exclusive relationship with NBC Sports – a staple to sports lovers in Virginia – and ultimately provide the great people in the state with the sportsbook they’ve been waiting for.”
Aitken is back today on the occasion of the PointsBet launch in Virginia:
“We are thrilled to be launching in Virginia with our partner Colonial Downs, now bringing our best-in-market technology to such a passionate sports community. Virginian sports bettors will now have access to the fastest online sports betting product with the most betting options, including robust in-play capabilities.”
PointsBet also brought out legitimate NBA legend and gambling enthusiast Allen Iverson to commemorate the occasion of their Virginia launch:
“I am excited to welcome PointsBet to my home state. Speed and agility always defined my game, and that is exactly what puts PointsBet above the rest. Get into the game with more in-play and real-time options. Take control of your experience and join me on PointsBet to Live Your Bet LifeTM.”
Colonial Downs Group Chief Operating Officer Aaron Gomes was given the difficult task of following ‘A.I’ but offered these comments:
“Colonial Downs Group is proud to partner with PointsBet, a premier sports betting platform and one of the most successful operators in the nation. We are pleased to help bring this gaming option to our loyal customers and other gamers in Virginia.”
Remember what we said about PointsBet’s plans to leverage their NBC Sports relationship to build their brand in Virginia? They hit this point again in today’s press release:
As the official, exclusive sports betting partner of NBC Sports, PointsBet will also utilize the media giant’s premium television and digital assets to promote the PointsBet brand in the state of Virginia across its local sports communities. The sportsbook has already been integrated into NBC Sports Regional Networks, like NBC Sports Washington, appearing regularly on programming for the Washington Football Team, Wizards, and Capitals.
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 Regional Networks. PointsBet’s full Spanish-language functionality will reach Hispanic sports fans via Telemundo Deportes and Telemundo broadcast stations.
This left PointsBet USA CMO Kyle Christensen to give the important–though somewhat obvious–point about the brand building benefits for his company of the NBC Sports deal:
“Our partnership with NBC Sports has positioned us well as we enter the market. Viewers who have become familiar with the PointsBet brand through our odds integrations and expert analysis during television broadcasts can now truly experience what sets PointsBet apart.”
Virginia becomes the eighth state for PointsBet joining Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, and New Jersey. They’re also about to launch retail betting in Maryland as the state completes the regulatory framework for mobile wagering.
