International Game Technology (IGT) is to enter the Washington state sports betting market through a partnership with Snoqualmie Casino.
IGT will power the casino’s retail and on-premise mobile sports betting offering via its PlaySports turnkey solution, including its trading advisory services.
Snoqualmie is situated just 28 miles from Seattle, making the casino the closest to the state’s largest city.
The move comes just weeks after Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) unanimously approved sports wagering compact amendments for 15 federally recognized Tribes, including the Snoqualmie.
“Extending our sports betting momentum to Washington state with Snoqualmie Casino is another significant milestone for the IGT PlaySports team,” said Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital senior vice president.
“IGT looks forward to helping the casino establish a best-in-class sports betting program and expand gaming experiences for its patrons and sports fans through our proven PlaySports technology and services.”
Snoqualmie Casino began construction of its sportsbook at the beginning of June in anticipation of launching late summer. It said recently it is actively in the process of hiring positions for the sportsbooks so they are staffed and ready to launch as soon as approved.
Stanford Le, Snoqualmie Casino’s recently appointed chief executive, said: “IGT’s leading sports betting platform, products, trading advisory services and on-premise mobile solution will allow us to quickly and easily deploy an exceptional localized sports betting program.
“As the closest sportsbook to the Seahawks’ and Mariners’ stadiums, expanding our offering to include sports betting will enable us to further engage sports fans at our casino and complement the popular Seahawks Pit, our immersive Seahawks-branded table game experience.”
The Snoqualmie agreement with the WSGC states that the tribe can open a retail sportsbook within one of its existing gaming locations in Washington, with the tribe able to place sports betting kiosks anywhere inside the wider gaming facility.
Mobile sports betting will also be permitted on-site at Snoqualmie’s licensed gaming location, but the tribe must use geolocation technology to limit players to betting only while at the property. In line with state law, betting will not be allowed on any events involving a college team based in Washington, nor on Minor League events.