Wisconsin: Potawatomi Casino Hotel developing on-premise mobile sports betting app

Potawatomi Casino Hotel is in the process of developing a mobile app to enhance its sports betting offerings, following the recent opening of its permanent retail sportsbook. The new app will allow patrons to place bets from anywhere within the casino building.

The on-premise mobile sports betting app is currently under full development and is expected to launch in approximately eight months. Potawatomi CEO Dominic Ortiz shared this information with BizTimes at the sportsbook's grand opening event earlier this month.

“We’re excited, it’ll bring a new flavor when you come to the casino,” Ortiz stated. “If you don’t want to go wait in line and put your bet in on the kiosk, you could sit right here and place prop bets, enjoy your meal, food, drink and entertainment.”

In compliance with the Forest County Potawatomi’s sports betting compact with the state, the app will be geofenced to the casino building, which is built on land held in trust. Ortiz noted that a mobile option is becoming an industry standard as sports betting gains popularity across the United States. “That’s what’s happening in the industry and we want to stay ahead of it,” he said.

The casino's new retail sportsbook, designed to accommodate 200 seats and modeled after Las Vegas-style venues, is touted as the largest retail sports betting venue in the Midwest. It replaced the 500-seat Northern Lights Theater and the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill.

Opening of the sportsbook

The opening of the sportsbook in early May marked the completion of a $190 million renovation of the casino’s first- and second-floor gaming and dining facilities. Boasting a professional broadcast booth with advanced audio and video capabilities, the amenity provides more than 400-person total capacity between its two floors.

The new sportsbook covers 6,500 square feet and includes a bar and restaurant. The opening ceremony hosted by the Forest County Potawatomi "ushered in a new era of sports betting in Milwaukee," according to casino officials.