Chapter 3: Betting and connected portable devices
Case study: US casinos embrace mobile betting
In July 2015 casino operator MGM Resorts confirmed that its new mobile sports betting product was set to be available to Nevada bettors only by November 2015.
The mobile push was part of a wholesale sportsbook technology upgrade courtesy of International Game Technology( IGT). Although the app was due to be ready in November, MGM race and sports VP Jay Rood told reporters that the new wagering system wouldn’ t be in place until next summer( 2016).
However, Rood said members of MGM’ s M Life rewards programme would be able to integrate their sports betting with a virtual wallet linked to all amenities on MGM properties.
Rood said the company was keen to educate visitors to Las Vegas that mobile betting is available to anyone who signs up at a local sportsbook, provided they’ re within Nevada’ s borders when they make their wager. Rood said he’ d like to have people‘ handing out cards with our phone wagering information as guests enter any of our three arenas and then have a kiosk right near where they can sign up and deposit money into their account’.
The Aliante Casino in North Las Vegas launched its own mobile betting app in early 2015. The product, which is powered by Miomni Gaming, is available for both Android and iPhone devices. While the app works anywhere in the state, accounts can only opened in person at the Aliante Sports Book, and deposits and withdrawals are also in-person only. Miomni’ s technology also powers the mobile betting apps offered by Boyd Gaming and the Atlantis Casino.
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