The Stars Group has entered into an agreement with the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort that will see the PokerStars operator enter New York’s sports betting market, as well as providing access to any future igaming market in the state.
The partnership with the casino, owned by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe of Akwesasne, grants The Stars Group an option to operate and brand real-money online sports betting, poker and casino in New York on a first skin basis. This is subject to the passage of legislation in the state, and each party being approved to operate in the market.
In addition, The Stars Group will also provide support services for the launch and operation of a retail sportsbook at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in Northern New York.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mohawk would receive a revenue share from the operation of the applicable online offerings, while The Stars Group will receive a revenue share from the operation of the retail sportsbook.
Robin Chhabra, chief executive of the operator’s new joint venture with Fox Sports, Fox Bet, said the agreement would allow his company to make a greater impact in the growing US market.
“We are excited to announce this agreement with Mohawk, which further strengthens our market access as we work to build our FOX Bet business into one of the leaders in the emerging U.S. online betting and gaming market,” Chhabra said.
Todd Papineau, general manager of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort added that The Stars Group was a perfect partner for the casino.
“We are thrilled to elevate the sports betting experience for our guests in our new sports lounge, a 5,200 square foot sports betting hub that will be ready during the NFL season,” he said. “Once permissible in the state, we will be prepared to accept sports wagers through our new kiosks.
“With its online betting and gaming solutions and FOX Bet and PokerStars brands, we believe The Stars Group is the ideal partner for us and it is positioned to become a leader in the US online betting and gaming industry,” Papineau continued.
“We are delighted to work with The Stars Group, one of the world’s largest, most licensed online gaming companies, to leverage the opportunity presented by online betting and gaming in the State of New York.”
Land-based sports betting is expected to launch in the state in the Fall, after the New York Gaming Commission approved regulations in June this year. However online and mobile betting and gaming will not arrive in the state until 2020 at the earliest, after the New York legislative session closed with bills to legalize online poker and mobile wagering failing to pass into law.