Pennsylvania’s sports betting scene is getting crowded as it has been confirmed that yet another casino developer is willing to introduce sportsbook to its player pool. Only several days after the third sports wagering license was applied for, Rush Street Gaming overseeing operation at SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia filed its application of the fourth sports betting license within the borders of Pennsylvania.
The facility located in Philadelphia might become the next sports betting option for locals willing to practice their skills, as the site just applied for the fourth sports betting permit on a state level. With this move, the casino venue ensures that the region of Philadelphia would find it even more appealing and it would maintain its competitiveness among other gambling venues in the vicinity.
Sports Betting Might Enter One More Facility
The developer has been operating both sports wagering and online-based gaming in New Jersey, which is why it is willing to enter Pennsylvania’s fields swiftly. It could be recalled that the brick-and-mortar facility has already applied for online gaming license in July and it received approval earlier this month. The next logical step was a sports gambling application.
What should be noted, however, is that the timing of this application does not fit well within the issued schedule of Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The next meeting would take place on 3rd October, but it would feature neither the most recent application of SugarHouse nor the one coming from Harrah’s Philadelphia filed in this week. Instead, state regulator would thoroughly inspect Penn National Gaming’s one, filed towards the end of August.
PGCB meets on Wed. at 10 am. Agenda (subject to change) has been posted to our web site at this link: https://t.co/bVXlqkZOAZ
— PGCB (@PAGamingControl) September 10, 2018
Back then Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board received a 107-page application for sports wagering permit which would now have to be thoroughly reviewed in order to ultimately receive the regulator’s approval. According to the information listed in the document, Hollywood Casino is going to welcome sportsbook through the collaboration of Penn National and William Hill US.
The second developer which would be heard next Wednesday would be Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, operating Parx Casino and South Philadephia Turf Club. If approved by the authorities, sports betting would be available at both sites.
Prognoses for the Field
Earlier this year there have been concerns expressed since the sports wagering field seemed to be at a standstill. Over the first couple of months past the legalization of the gaming activity, there were no casino developers willing to explore the field and claim one of the 13 licenses available. However, this changed in July with a wave of applications indicating interest regardless of the high price or the substantial taxes established by the set of rules.
Among the potential reasons for this is the breathtaking 34-percent tax slapped on every operator willing to do so, discouraging the state’s developers. Now the two applications filed in this week would have to be reviewed at the end of October, at the next meeting set for 31st October. This would extend further the official launch date for sports betting on their premises with as many as 90 days, meaning that the last months of 2018 might be busy for the sector.
