Pinnacle opens sports betting service in Mississippi
Pinnacle Entertainment is working to introduce sports betting services in further US states in which it operates, after opening its first venue outside of Nevada.
The full-service, dedicated sports wagering venue opened at Ameristar Casino Hotel in Vicksburg, Mississippi on Friday ahead of the start of the new college American football season at the weekend and the commencing of NFL action on Thursday.
Entitled The End Zone, the ceremonial first sports wager was placed by Deuce McAllister, former running back for the University of Mississippi and New Orleans Saints.
Pinnacle, which had previously only offered sports wagering through its Cactus Petes property in Jackpot, Nevada, said the new venue at Ameristar Vicksburg represents the largest full-service sports wagering experience in central Mississippi.
In addition to sports betting, The End Zone will offer a selection of sporting events on large-screen TVs, the area’s largest high-definition television for featured sporting events, an expansive menu of draft beers, and a full-service ‘tailgate’ dining experience.
Pinnacle, which is set to merge with Penn National Gaming, owns and operates 16 gaming entertainment businesses, located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In addition, Pinnacle holds a majority interest in the racing license owner, as well as a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack outside of San Antonio, Texas.
Pinnacle Entertainment chief executive Anthony Sanfilippo (pictured) said: “The opening of The End Zone Sports Book at Ameristar Vicksburg represents the company’s first new venue of this type outside of Nevada, following the repeal of the federal ban on sports wagering in May 2018.
“We will continue to work to extend this important strategy to other properties throughout the Pinnacle Entertainment portfolio as allowed by the other states in which we operate.”
Ameristar is the second Vicksburg casino to provide legal sports betting since Mississippi became the fourth state to offer legal sports wagering. RiverWalk Casino commenced operations on August 23.