Several media sources have reported on the fact that MGM Resorts International will be seeking entry into the Pennsylvania online gambling market. Reports say that the US casino giant will be applying for one of the remaining 10 licenses that Pennsylvania has to offer.
It is a race against the clock for MGM Resorts to complete the application process since out-of-state groups were given until the end of October to do so. A total of 39 online gambling licenses were offered by the state.
The first 32 interactive gaming permits were gobbled up by local Pennsylvania casinos when they were first offered by the PA Gaming Control Board. Out-of-state operators were then offered the opportunity to bid for the remaining 10. During this process, one of the local casinos, Rivers Casino, decided to drop out of the application process, sending its three licenses back into the pool – bringing the total of available licenses to ten.
As such, MGM could bid for any of the four online poker licenses, three online slots licenses or three online table game licenses left.
Any company that bids for one of these licenses will enter a random draw on a date still to be decided on. If MGM or any other bidder has its name pulled, it has two months to apply for the license/s. Each individual license costs $4 million. An operator that has its name drawn may apply for any or all of the categories available.
This is not the first time that MGM made industry news this week. Earlier this week, the group held an official press conference, announcing that it is to become the official sports betting partner for the National Hockey League. The multi year marketing and data agreement is the second mega deal signed with a sports league this year. MGM pulled off a $25 million contract with the National Basketball Association in July.
A joint statement by the NHL and MGM Resorts said: “MGM Resorts will also reach NHL fans through communications to subscribers from the NHL’s robust fan database that will market MGM Resorts’ portfolio of destination resort brands, as well as promote MGM Resorts’ M life Rewards program, which currently has 31 million members.”
