Pinnacle eyes regulated US market launch
CEO Paris Smith says sportsbook operator could offer B2B services to potential licence holders such as land-based casinos
Pinnacle is evaluating a return to the US sports betting market, should the Supreme Court repeal the federal ban on sports betting.
The low-margin operator’s CEO Paris Smith said yesterday the firm was already evaluating the best way to enter the market, with B2B partnerships a likely option, including odds provision and risk management
“We have a pretty strong foothold in a lot of markets where US sports are very popular so we have the experience and knowhow to provide those services,” Smith said.
Speaking at the Betting on Football conference in London, she warned that European operators could face difficulties in catering to a US market where the top four betting sports are native to North America,
“It’s a very different animal,” Smith said “European operators have been putting all their time into football, and I’m not sure how easy it will be to just switch over to US sports.”
Pinnacle left the US market in January 2007, a few months after UIGEA came into force. Smith said she was confident of securing additional licences in regulated markets, which has been made possible in recent years following a change in Pinnacle’s ownership.
PokerStars for instance has been licensed in New Jersey despite operating in the US market post UIGEA.
In related news, Pinnacle also integrated Microgaming’s award-winning Quickfire platform giving players access to over 600 Microgaming casino games and a range of development partner content.
Smith added: “We are delighted to have formed this partnership with Microgaming. It only seems right that the world’s most competitive bookmaker works with the leading supplier of online gaming software to enhance our casino offering.
“We’re looking forward to the success our new casino will bring, and Microgaming and Quickfire are a big part of that.”