The wait for craps in Pennsylvania online casino apps appears it is about to “seven out” soon. On Monday, DraftKings announced it debuted a new spin on craps in its app in New Jersey, with plans to do the same with the casino favorite in Pennsylvania in the future.
There’s no timeline for the game’s launch in PA right now. However, DraftKings Casino PA believes its online craps game will provide an extremely realistic experience for players in PA when it debuts. Currently, none of Pennsylvania’s 14 online casinos offer craps.
First online craps game coming soon to PA
The DraftKings-built and exclusive craps title is now live on its NJ app. According to the press release, DraftKings craps would arrive in PA “pending regulatory approval.”
It could come quickly. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board director of communications Doug Harbach said last July that craps is permitted for PA iGaming licensees. Harbach stated that it appears to be a decision by the licensees as to why they weren’t offering it already.
Online casinos arrived in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2019 with a roster of online slots and table games like blackjack and roulette. Live dealer launched in Oct. 2020 after months of anticipation. So, why was craps, one of the most popular games at brick-and-mortar casinos, not available?
It’s likely due to the difficulty in creating an online experience that is similar to playing craps at a physical table with other people. However, DraftKings thinks it met the challenge.
DraftKings online craps touts authentic features
DraftKings believes that when it goes live in PA, craps veterans who regularly hit the tables at Pennsylvania casinos will find its version familiar.
“As the most realistic craps game on the market, we are excited to offer a premier online experience within our top-rated casino product,” said Jason March, DraftKings’ Vice President of iGaming. “Craps was a challenging game to develop given the seemingly endless paths players can take. So, I could not be prouder of our internal teams taking on this game development to deliver an authentic experience.”
Among the elements that DraftKings tailored are:
- Ability to place multiple bets with a single tap
- Multi-directional rolling/swiping of the die
- Option to leave bets on the table after each win
The game also features dedicated help functions including a tutorial. With those additions, the odds of each potential outcome and answers to questions on how to play the game in any situation are always a tap away.
While it may be difficult to replicate the social element of playing craps in an app, DraftKings thinks it has everything else covered. If it can get the product live in PA quickly, it could have an advantage in the market.
DraftKings part of Penn National Gaming PA online dominance
One of the innovations of this game is that it’s available on the DraftKings Casino app. Most online craps games remain relegated to desktop iGaming platforms.
For a period of time, DraftKings could be the only PA online casino app offering craps. That should help DraftKings in the mix for the market leader in PA online casino revenue.
In PA, Penn National Gaming has three online “skins” – DraftKings Casino, BetMGM Casino, and Hollywood Casino. The trio combined to bring in nearly $36 million in revenue in April. The table games segment of revenue for that licensee for that month dominated, nearly equalling the next two competitors’ figures combined. If successful, this game could augment that success.
Regardless, DK Craps seems on a path into PA at some point. That will mean the end to prospective players’ patient pining for such a play.
Lead image courtesy of DraftKings.