Two more Pennsylvania casinos are hoping to unlock the Keystone State’s sports betting potential after applying for regulatory approval.
Posting their license petitions on March 27, Mohegan Sun Pocono and Mount Airy Casino Resort are hoping to offer live and online sports betting.
Mohegan Sun to Shine a Light on Sports Betting
First to throw its hat into the ring was Mohegan Sun. As per the filing, the casino wants to erect a permanent sportsbook beside its casino floor. Unlike some of its peers, it won’t provide temporary sports betting facilities until its application has been granted.
In addition to a live sportsbook, Mohegan Sun also wants to offer provisions for interactive and online wagering.
Joining Mohegan Sun in bringing sports betting to the northeast corner of the Keystone State is Mount Airy. Although unconfirmed at this stage, local news outlet The Citizen’s Voice recently discussed the topic of sports betting with the casino’s vice president of marketing and gaming operations.
“Sports betting is the obvious next step for us to continue diversifying our casino offerings,” Vince Jordan told the Pennsylvania publication.
If both venues are greenlighted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), it would extend the state’s emerging sports betting economy. Indeed, by opening up the northeast corner of the region, it would take the number of active operators to eight.
*(The ninth, Presque Isle Downs, will launch on June 1).
Pennsylvania Pushing the Pace as US Sports Betting Grows
In national terms, that would make Pennsylvania one of the leaders with regards to sports betting in the US. Given that its casino economy is currently thriving, this is hardly surprising.
According to an April 2 press release, slots revenue across the state was up 2.37% in March. Comparing year-on-year earnings, the PGCB found that last month’s slot gaming revenue was the third highest in history.
Indeed, only March 2012 ($233,147,479) and March 2013 ($229,335,372) generated more income that last month’s $226,597,681.
With casino activity on the up and sports betting seeping ever further into the public’s consciousness, the time is right to strike. So far, Philadelphia’s six venues have demonstrated the power of sports betting and now other regions are starting to take note. Should Mohegan Sun and Mount Airy join the mix, it would further prove that all regions, regardless of their size or status, can profit from the current sports betting boom.