W
ynnBET has secured market access in the state of Louisiana, announced the sports betting and casino app operator from Wynn Resorts on Thursday. Louisiana represents the 17th jurisdiction in which WynnBET has secured varying degrees of market access.
WynnBET is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia and, additionally, has varying degrees of market access to a total 17 states, which covers approximately 46% of the U.S. population.
The company further said it is in negotiations to obtain access in seven additional states, according to a press release. Should this occur, it would result in the sports betting operating having a footprint in approximately 77% of the U.S. adult population.
“The online sports betting and iGaming industry’s legislative and regulatory landscape is rapidly evolving and WynnBET’s access is subject to change as a result,” said the company. In consequence, market access agreements and opportunities will become effective if legalized and regulatory requirements, licensee eligibility and suitability are met.
It hasn’t been revealed yet how WynnBET has secured market access in Louisiana and no specific partner has been mentioned in the state.
After delays caused by Hurricane Ida, which pushed the initial September start date back a month, Louisiana now targets early October for launching sports betting in casinos. However, mobile wagering could take longer to go live, as outside vendors haven’t been licensed yet, with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board expecting to have some approved in a 60-day window.
Following the approval of emergency rules in August, allowing Louisiana’s Big 20 casinos –on 15 riverboats and at four racetracks, as well as Harrah’s in New Orleans– to file license applications, the Gaming Control Board confirmed that eight had applied to offer sports betting in the state.
Operators, partnered with the state’s existing gaming entities, are already going through background checks and other key licensing measures. Permanent rules are set to go through a process that allows for input from opponents and comments from the public.
Each license will also include two mobile licenses, which means a potential total 41 “skins” could launch for Louisiana online sports betting. The additional skin would be allotted to the Louisiana Lottery Corp. Facilities awarded a sports betting license are required to build a retail sportsbook.