The regulated retail sportsbook at Presque Isle Downs & Casino is back on track.
The casino postponed its June 1 opening, explaining something would transpire at the June 12 Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) meeting that would determine its launch plans.During that June 12 hearing, the board conditionally approved an interactive sports wagering manufacturer license for KT Group Limited.
While unassuming on its face, KT Group produces self-service kiosks commonly found in legalized sportsbooks across the country. They will provide the kiosks for Presque Isle.
Now, Presque Isle can finally return to its PA sports betting plans.
Presque Isle provider gets kiosk license
Presque Isle was not on the agenda ahead of the June 12 PGCB meeting, nor was any other headline-grabbing item. Embedded within the minutia of the Bureau of Licensing, however, was an item for KT Group.
Currently, a number of brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Pennsylvania feature self-service sports betting kiosks. Many of those units are powered by Kambi Group, which supplies kiosks to five of the state’s eight retail operations.
“KT Group was approved Wednesday so they are good to go in Pennsylvania,” Richard McGarvey, a spokesman for the PGCB, told the Erie Times-News last week. “Obviously who they are working with is Presque Isle casino. They’re doing all the cabinet boxes that people would walk up to and do all of their bets for sports wagering on. They were a very important component for what [Presque Isle] is going to be moving forward with.”
Presque Isle sports betting taking shape
Details of Presque Isle’s sportsbook have long been known.
In February, the casino presented its plans to the PGCB. The 1,275-square-foot brick-and-mortar will take over the existing casino space located next to the poker room and simulcast and racebook area.
The sportsbook will feature 50 large HD televisions airing sporting events and customizable odds boards.
As Presque Isle detailed at the time, some 317 square feet will be dedicated to self-service kiosks. The casino expects to install 50 units for bettors throughout the property. Per the Erie Times-News, 25 kiosks will reside within the sportsbook.
No more delays for Presque Isle?
The wait for sports betting at Presque Isle has been lengthy.
As noted, the casino received conditional approval from the PGCB in February. Opening at the beginning of June would have bookended six months since Presque Isle initially applied for a sports wagering license (and five months after Churchill Downs finalized its acquisition of the property).
No other retail sportsbook in Pennsylvania took longer than three months to open its doors following initial application.
The Erie Times-News noted how casinos in the state averaged 64 days to launch brick-and-mortars after getting licensed. Presque Isle, meanwhile, has gone more than 130 days since its February petition.
While last week’s conditional approval of KT Group allows Presque Isle an opportunity to move forward, the casino still has work to do before opening, including a two-day testing period.
The only timeline Presque Isle has shared is displayed on signage within the casino: “soon.”
