Parx Casino owner Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to sports betting.
Last week, the company became just the second PA casino license holder to apply for one of the state’s $10 million sports betting licenses.
In fact, after online gambling tech partner GAN confirmed last month it will be providing the technology for Parx’ online and on-property sports betting platform, Greenwood actually filed two sports betting license applications with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) this past Friday.
Parx Casino and the South Philadelphia Turf Club
The applications ask for approval to offer sports betting at Parx Casino in Bensalem and the company’s South Philadelphia Turf Club off-track betting facility in Philadelphia’s stadium district.
Temporary sports betting regulations released by PGCB stipulate that operators must apply for a sports betting license at least 90 days before they intend to open a sportsbook.
However, Greenwood Gaming has asked the Board to approve the licenses as soon as possible. That way both properties to capture as much of the fall sports season as they can:
“GGE respectfully urges the Board to review this Petition and grant its Certificate expeditiously so as to enable GGE to commence sports wagering in a time frame that enables it to capture as much of the popular fall sports season and events as possible.”
Online and off
The public portions of the applications only include plans for a brick-and-mortar sportsbook at the South Philadelphia Turf Club. However, if approved, Greenwood Gaming would be licensed to run retail on-property sports betting operations out of both locations, and online and mobile operations at Parx.
In addition to Parx’ tech partnership with GAN, Greenwood Gaming’s sports betting license application indicates it has a deal in place with Sports Information Services Limited, a Kambi subsidiary.
GAN plans to provide the tech behind Parx’ sports betting operations. It will offer seamless access to all its online gambling and sports betting verticals with a single account. Sports Information Services will presumably provide the sports information side of things.
Parx is the state’s highest grossing casino. The South Philadelphia Turf Club is another potentially lucrative sportsbook location because of its proximity to Philadelphia’s stadium complex. The area where Philadelphia’s professional sports teams play. The complex features:
- Citizen’s Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies
- Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles
- Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers
The South Philadelphia Turf Club is a 27,000-square-foot off-track betting facility. It opened in the neighborhood in July 1994.
State law requires both the Board and the State Horse Racing Commission to approve its plan for sports betting.
Other PA sportsbooks coming soon
Penn National Gaming was the first PA casino license holder to apply for a license in the state. Its plan includes turning the horse racing simulcast theater at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course into a sportsbook. William Hill US will manage the operation.
Mount Airy Casino Resort has announced a partnership with The Stars Group that includes launching its BetStars brand online sportsbook in PA. However, Mount Airy has not filed a license application as of yet.
PA sports betting licenses come at a cost of $10 million. The state will tax sports betting revenue at a rate of 36 percent, the highest on the country.