Earlier this month, the Spectacle Entertainment signed an agreement with BetIndiana to bring an additional mobile sports betting app to Indiana.
BetIndiana is a product of Illinois-based USA Sports Gaming LLC which also includes the yet-to-launch BetChicago.
Frank Ignatius, the founder and president of USA Sports Gaming, said that Spectacle was hoping to send the vendor application to the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) as soon as possible.
Ignatius says everything is ready on their end and expressed his excitement about the partnership in a statement
“Like BetIndiana, Spectacle Entertainment is an independent operator in the gaming industry, born in the Midwest and connected to our local markets. We see great synergy here and we’re confident we will provide bettors in Indiana with a book unlike any other in the state.”
A hybrid mobile sports betting app and retail sportsbook concept
Over two months ago, The IGC approved Spectacle Entertainment’s request to move its Majestic Star casino inland from Lake Michigan.
The move comes with a branding change, as well. The new Hard Rock Casino will be located adjacent to the Borman Expressway.
The company has made it clear there will not be a retail sportsbook at its new location. Instead of relying more heavily on online sports betting. It will provide a lounge with a sportsbook environment, but bettors will be required to place their bets via the app.
This hybrid mobile sports betting app-retail sportsbook concept will be unique in Indiana. And according to John Keeler, Spectacle’s vice president and general counsel, the company expects to launch its mobile sports betting app by the Super Bowl.
The IGC has already approved Majestic Star for sports betting, but BetIndiana still requires approval before the online plans can move forward.
BetIndiana, the new guy in town
BetIndiana is a smaller player in the online sports betting industry. Nonetheless, Ignatius is sure it can hold its own against better-known brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, or William Hill.
Ignatius is confident that BetIndiana has the technology to compete with larger companies. However, he acknowledges that the challenge is in increasing brand awareness in the market.
BetIndiana will differentiate itself by hiring the right staff to set its own pricing. Ignatius acknowledges the staff hasn’t been hired and the company will use the information from Sportradar until the team is in place.
Indiana sportsbooks moving quickly into the online market
The first sports bet in Indiana happened in September. Then in October, DraftKings and BetRivers accepted the first online bets in Indiana.
Now there are three online sportsbooks in Indiana:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
It seems realistic to expect several more mobile sports betting apps before the end of the year.
“We all know that mobile is going to be the dominant platform for betting on sports,” Ignatius said.
You just have to look at Iowa to the potential the Hoosier State holds. During the first month of sports betting in Iowa, online sports betting accounted for 56% of the bets with less than half of the licensed casinos online. Additionally, the cumbersome in-person registration requirement is likely to curtail access.
Indiana casinos are likely busy planning to get online as soon as possible. It becomes vitally important as sportsbooks work feverishly to acquire new customers.
