Australian gambling operator PlayUp has secured approval to roll out its sports betting offering in the state of Colorado, in a launch that will mark its entrance into the US market.
PlayUp, which is already active in its native Australia, as well as New Zealand and India, said that it plans to go live with its online sportsbook in Colorado later this year.
The operator will run the sportsbook in partnership with Bull Durham Casino, which is located in Black Hawk, Colorado.
The approval comes after PlayUp earlier this month appointed Dr Laila Mintas as chief executive of its new US arm, having announced that it had acquired market access in “multiple states” across the country.
“We selected Colorado as the first US state to enter as we believe it has great potential, with a population of almost 6m people that traditionally love sports,” Mintas said. “The sports betting market in Colorado has a potential market size of $300m.
“We are also very excited to have partnered with Bull Durham Casino, which is always looking for new ways to engage their local audience with their great products and social events.”
Bull Durham Casino general manager Doug James added: “We are eager to partner with PlayUp to offer online sports betting as well as other innovative online products, to our players at Bull Durham Casino and all Coloradans interested in using the newest technology available in sports betting.”
Colorado opened its regulated sports betting on May 1, with operators in the state generating $946,741.34 revenue during the first month. Consumers wagered a total of $25.6m on sports in May, winning $23.1m in the process.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Roar Digital’s betMGM and Rush Street’s BetRivers were the four operators to go live on May 1, while the likes of Monarch Casino Resort’s BetMonarch and The Stars Group, via the Fox Bet brand, are also active in the state.