Bet365 is making moves across the country. However, it’s yet to enter the Pennsylvania sports betting market. While the company is poised to debut soon, there are still regulatory steps it must complete.
With a launch most recently in Iowa, and with Kentucky soon to follow, it begs the question of when the brand is coming to Pennsylvania.
Bet365 currently operates in five states and would bring an interesting array of features to PA bettors. Its launch, along with Fanatics Sportsbook, would add even more competition within the state.
Steps bet365 must complete before launching in the PA sports betting market
Bet365 has already partnered with Churchill Downs (CDI) in January, as Twinspires shut down its sportsbook and online casino. The deal is through CDI’s Presque Isle Downs property.
According to Richard McGarvey, Deputy Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), bet365 applied for a sports betting and online casino license in February 2023. The application will be voted on by the PGCB at some point in the future.
McGarvey did not offer a timeline of events, but told PlayPennsylvania it could be a number of months before bet365 PA launches. McGarvey detailed the steps bet365 needs to complete before going live:
“If bet365 is approved for licensure, they can open for business once it has met all the requirements. Those requirements include hardware and software approvals, problem gambling requirements, employee training requirements and revenue controls, just to name just a few. Additionally, there would also be a soft launch to verify everything is working correctly.”
While bet365 declined comment to PlayPennyslvania on a launch timeline in PA, the company is coming. A bet365 spokesperson said in January:
“Off the heels of our launch in Ohio, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Churchill Downs Incorporated. Once live, the world’s favorite online sports betting brand will be available to sports fans in Pennsylvania, offering fantastic site features, including Bet Boosts, Same Game Parlay, Cash Out and Edit Bet, on top of our market-leading sign-up offer.”
Bet365’s rapid US expansion in 2023
Bet365 is quickly emerging and expanded into several states in a short amount of time. Most recently, bet365 announced a sportsbook launch in Iowa last week.
The company is now operating its sportsbook in the following states:
- New Jersey
- Colorado
- Virginia
- Ohio
- Iowa
Launches in Virginia, Ohio and Iowa have all come in 2023.
What bet365 Sportsbook is offering in Iowa
Bet365 listed a slew of offers and promotions in its Iowa launch. It looks as if bet365 is prioritizing bet boosts and cash outs. Here are some of the features Iowa bettors have access to:
- Fantastic site features, including same game parlay, cash out and edit bet
- Bet boosts on a wide range of sports, and same game parlay profit boosts
- Great offers on a wide range of sports including early payouts on MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and college basketball
- Live streaming on over 780,000 events (subject to eligibility and live streaming rules)
- An extensive range of pre and live in-game props on all major sporting events
It’s likely the same offerings would be available to PA bettors following a launch in the Keystone State. Meanwhile, you can check out all the latest PA sportsbook bonus offers currently available for October 2024.
PA sports betting landscape
There is still space for other operators to enter the Pennsylvania sports betting market. There are three PA casinos with vacant sports betting licenses:
- Lady Luck Nemacolin
- Parx Shippensburg
- Live! Casino Pittsburgh
Fanatics Sportsbook is taking over PointsBet after buying its US assets last month. Fanatics still has some steps to complete before entering the PA market.
It’s possible both companies can enter the PA sportsbook and online casino market by the end of this year, which could bring competition to an even higher level.
