William Hill and SBTech seal Mississippi licences

William Hill USA and SBTech were awarded licences yesterday (Thursday) to manufacture and distribute sports betting platforms in Mississippi, iGamingBusiness.com has learned.

Mississippi Gaming Commission deputy director Jay McDaniel told iGamingBusiness.com that the companies will be able to provide odds and risk-management services in the state, with casinos operating the sportsbooks.

McDaniel also said he understood that William Hill USA is supporting the launch of sportsbooks at five casinos operated by Penn National Gaming in the state this month, with two of the venues set to accept sports wagers from today (Friday).

Penn announced yesterday that its Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast and Boomtown Biloxi casinos were set to launch “state-of-the-art sportsbooks” today, with Hollywood Casino Tunica, 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica and Resorts Casino Tunica expected to follow suit on August 24. 

Penn operates 28 casinos in 16 US states and also offers social online gaming through its Penn Interactive Ventures division.

Penn chief executive Timothy Wilmott said that customers’ interest in sports wagering in Mississippi “has been growing since the federal ban on sports betting was repealed in May”.

Justin Carter, Penn National Gaming’s general manager in Tunica, said that college sports would be a particular area of interest for local punters.

“Every time I step on the gaming floor a customer approaches me about sports betting,” he said. “With the extreme passion in the region around sports, and college athletics in particular, we look forward to becoming a destination for fans in northern Mississippi, Memphis, and Arkansas.”

Earlier this month, reports emerged in the UK media that William Hill had opened talks with Penn National Gaming over a possible joint venture to roll out sports betting services across the US.