PointsBet soft launches in Pennsylvania; full operations expected ahead of Super Bowl

PointsBet has now taken its first bet in Pennsylvania through its PointsBet Pennsylvania subsidiary, ASX-listed PointsBet Holdings announced on Tuesday. The sports betting operator debuted in the Keystone State after having secured authorization by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) for a soft launch.

Pennsylvania represents the company’s 10th online sportsbook operation in the United States, the Australian bookmaker explains. It follows launches in New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York.

In accordance with requirements laid out by the state’s Gaming Control Board, PointsBet Pennsylvania will operate in a soft launch environment for three days. Full operations and marketing are anticipated to commence “ahead of Super Bowl LVI,” according to a press release.

“PointsBet launching in our 10th U.S. jurisdiction represents a very proud moment for our company, and I am especially grateful to our technology and compliance teams for their ongoing dedication and commitment,” commented PointsBet Group CEO and Managing Director Sam Swanell. “The PointsBet team is excited to continue to prove our reputation and consistent ability to deliver a world-class experience.”

The Pennsylvania subsidiary is set to leverage its status as the official, exclusive sports betting partner of NBC Sports to promote the PointsBet brand in the state, where the Comcast Corporation is headquartered. PointsBet will utilize the media giant’s premium television and digital assets for its marketing efforts.

As part of the agreement, NBC Sports provides PointsBet with year-round, multi-platform media and marketing opportunities across its portfolio of events, including exclusive multiplatform gameday integrations across NBC Sports Philadelphia, regional broadcast home to the Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers. 

The Pennsylvania launch comes exactly two weeks after PointsBet went live with its online sports betting product in New York, on January 25. The sportsbook is one of seven live in the Empire State, which has recently taken the spot for top market in the US from New Jersey, by posting a record-setting handle of $1.6 billion for last month.

Start spreading the news...PointsBet is officially LIVE in New York!! 🗽

We are now the 6th operator to accept bets & one of only 9 operators to receive a license in the state of NY. Congratulations to all involved on our global team!

Read more: https://t.co/M0UdrXoEIz pic.twitter.com/ujQMHf29rm

— PointsBet Communications (@PB_Comms) January 25, 2022

Additionally, PointsBet announced earlier this month that it will be among the first operators to go live in Ontario’s new iGaming market, set to launch on April 4, along with Penn National Gaming’s subsidiary theScore Bet and Rivalry Corp. The company has registered as an internet gaming sports betting operator with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

“Since day one, we have remained genuine to our promise of building a Canadian sportsbook, with Canadian employees, for the Canadian market,” said PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel in a statement last Friday. “Today's approval is a momentous step in unveiling our authentically Canadian gaming experience to the province.”