IGT has expanded the retail footprint of its PlaySports sports betting technology platform by penning a deal with Palace Casino Resort in Mississippi.
Under the terms of the deal, IGT’s platform will power retail sports betting on the casino grounds, installing four self-service betting kicks and four walk-up windows.
Keith Crosby, Palace Casino Resort General Manager, commented: “Elevating the CONTACT Sports and Race Book with IGT PlaySports technology and services positions us for continued growth and supports our mission of delivering high-quality gaming experiences to our Palace Casino Resort guests.
“With football season just two months away, we could not be more excited for the sportsbook offering that we’ve created in partnership with IGT, and we’re confident it will bring incremental visitation and excitement to Palace Casino Resort.”
Players will now have the IGT sports betting experience when they attend the Contact Sports and Race Book located within the casino. Moreover, the Mississippi venue will utilize the services of IGT PlaySports’ trading advisory team.
Sports betting and gaming is making up a much larger proportion of IGT’s business compared to its lottery-fueled past. The group’s 2022 gaming revenue came in at over five times growth on a yearly basis, hitting $1.4bn for the last calendar year. This is in stark contrast to the lottery unit, which posted a yearly decline in revenue of 8%, signaling the shifting focus of the global brand.
IGT now deploys its PlaySports technology at over 80 gaming venues in the US and Canada.
Joe Asher, IGT President of Sports Betting, added: “IGT PlaySports has a successful track record in powering sportsbooks across Mississippi, and we’re excited to extend that momentum with Palace Casino Resort in advance of the fall sports calendar.
“We look forward to working with Palace Casino Resort to maximize player acquisition and engagement opportunities and reap the many benefits of an IGT PlaySports-powered sportsbook.”
