Churchill Downs announces landmark platform deal for sports betting and online gaming

Churchill Downs has announced plans to enter the real money online sports betting and gaming sectors thanks to a landmark new deal with European provider SBTech.

Under the terms of the agreement, SBTech will provide Chruchill Downs with an iGaming platform, including the consumer-facing sites, mobile apps, and back office systems to manage egaming and sports wagering.

The new sites will be run under a different brand to Churchill’s TwinSpires.com racing brand.

Churchill said the partnership is intended to enable it to launch both verticals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which have already approved egaming and sports betting, and launch sports betting in Mississippi.

Entry into these states is subject to gaming license approvals and finalization of egaming and sports betting regulations.

The firm acquired a Pennsylvania gaming licence through its acquisition of Presque Isle casino earlier this year, and will enter New Jersey on the Golden Nugget’s licence.

In Mississippi, Churchill has two existing bricks-and-mortar casinos that will be utilized to offer on-property sports betting products.

“We are confident that our strategic partnership with SBTech provides us with an industry leading platform to offer innovative and exciting, integrated egaming and sports betting products,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs.

“We have the unique opportunity to leverage our knowledge and experience operating the largest legal online horse racing wagering business in the U.S. as we enter the egaming and sports betting markets.”

SBTech CEO Richard Carter added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Churchill Downs and to introduce our award-winning egaming and sports betting platforms in the US”

“We both share a deep commitment to technological innovation and excellence, and we look forward to working with them during this exciting time in the history of the US gaming market.”