Group . By focusing on licensed markets and upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance , we set up our business in a way that would enable it to enter the United States market swiftly when the time was right .
“ The relationships we have subsequently been able to build with regulators in the United States have benefited not only us but the industry as a whole . We looked to share our experience in regulated sports betting with state regulators early on to help them to understand what would work with the regulation of sports betting . The ongoing reciprocal dialogue we have with these regulators has also been important in positioning Kambi Group to capitalize and succeed .”
With Pennsylvania one of the first American jurisdictions to have legalized sports betting following the repeal of PASPA , Nylen says Kambi Group decided to open its local hub in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania in the summer of 2019 . Nylen describes this metropolis of approximately 1.6 million residents as full of passionate sports fans , before explaining that the company ’ s office has since grown to encompass more than 70 employees working across every aspect of the business .
“ We ’ ve built a growing team of industry-leading sports traders , sportsbook controllers and risk analysts as well as commercial team members across the likes of sales , communications and partner success ,” Nylen says . “ The expertise and local knowledge we have been able to assemble in Philadelphia has been critical to our success in the United States .”
Pioneering Firsts
Kambi Group soon began experiencing success in the newly regulated United States sports betting market and processed New Jersey ’ s inaugural online wager with DraftKings in 2018 . This was followed by a number of other market firsts including taking the first remote bet in New York with Rush Street Interactive before accepting the same jurisdiction ’ s opening land-based bet via Rush Street Gaming ’ s Rivers Casino and Resort Schenectady property .
“ Prior to the repeal of PASPA , we knew that having a best-in-class retail offering would be pivotal to our success in the United States , and we put a great deal of effort into ensuring we were ready ,” Nylen says . “ Our retail offering is comprised of state-of-the-art kiosks and over-the-counter services as well as pioneering solutions like the ‘ Bring Your Own Device ’ technology , which enables patrons to build bets on their phones before scanning a QR code with a kiosk or teller . These have put Kambi Group in a great position to capitalize on the expansion of sports wagering .”
Nylen adds that Kambi is also committed to the more than 500 recognized tribes in the U . S ., and today works with tribal gaming operators looking to leverage the strength of their brands through sports betting . He says the company is now considered “ the go-to supplier for tribal operators ,” and says he is delighted to be assisting these in growing their brands .
“ Tribal gaming operators have similar values to ours when it comes to integrity and trust , so it made perfect sense to work with them as they look to offer a new vertical to their customers ,” Nylen says . “ Today we are partnered with seven tribal operators in various parts of the United States who have seen their properties become more profitable through the addition of sports betting .”
20 Global Gaming Business JUNE 2023