Mid-Atlantic Tracks Partner With Mobile Gaming Outlets

Monmouth Park and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races have both reached deals with third parties to provide sports gambling on mobile platforms, pending regulatory approval.

In New Jersey, popular Toronto-based sports news mobile platform theScore has partnered with Monmouth on a planned mobile sportsbook to launch in mid-2019, and in West Virginia, DraftKings has reached a deal to offer its mobile sports wagering platform through Charles Town.

The New Jersey agreement, reached between theScore and Monmouth operator Darby Development (which runs the track on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association), will allow the platform to offer online and mobile sports wagering in the state. Monmouth was the first outlet in the state to offer sports wagering, through its on-site partner William Hill.

"This is a significant moment for theScore, becoming the first media company in North America to announce its plans to launch online and mobile sports betting in the United States," the company's founder and CEO John Levy said. "Sports betting has long been part of our company's DNA in how we've delivered content to fans. Providing the ability to actually bet on games is the natural next phase for theScore.

"With the rapid growth of mobile and in-game wagering, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a unique and amazing sports betting experience. Our large and engaged app audience spans every single U.S. state and highly indexes with sports betting enthusiasts. We can't wait to bring a sports betting product to market and capitalize on this exciting opportunity in New Jersey and other regulated states."

In addition, theScore has executed a binding term sheet with U.S.-based sportsbook provider Bet.Works, whose proprietary, cutting-edge sports betting technology will power theScore's online and mobile sports betting platforms.

Dennis Drazin, CEO and chairman of Darby Development, said Monmouth will partner with a well-recognized mobile sports information company. 

"TheScore has one of the leading sports apps in North America, a world-class reputation for mobile sports development, and a large and highly engaged audience," Drazin said in a statement. "Combined with Bet.Works' best-in-class technology and their team of experienced sports book operators that will power theScore's digital sports betting platform, we're thrilled to welcome them to our exclusive family of partners offering sports wagering in New Jersey."

The agreement will allow theScore to operate a branded sportsbook, pursuant to one of the sports-wagering licenses conferred upon the NJTHA, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals and licenses. Darby Development will receive a percentage of revenue from the operation.

In West Virginia, DraftKings, which had been well-known as a daily fantasy provider and has since ventured into sportsbook operations, reached a deal with Charles Town owner Penn National Gaming to offer its online and mobile sportsbook platform in the state.

"We are thrilled to work with Penn National Gaming to bring our online sportsbook product to West Virginia," said DraftKings chief revenue officer and co-founder Matt Kalish. "We look forward to serving sports fans in the Mountain State and building on the immense success we have had in leading the New Jersey market. With over 90% of sports bettors returning to play after trying DraftKings Sportsbook, we are confident we can deliver on being the best place to play for West Virginia consumers." 

DraftKings already is in place in New Jersey and Mississippi and says it has more than 10 million registered customers. 

Also this week, the NBA and FanDuel announced an expanded multi-year partnership that makes FanDuel an authorized gaming operator of the league, in addition to continuing as the official daily fantasy partner of the NBA and the WNBA.

As part of the expanded partnership, FanDuel will gain access to official NBA betting data, along with league marks and logos, across FanDuel's sports betting offerings.

FanDuel Group consists of a portfolio of leading brands including FanDuel, Betfair US, DRAFT, and advance-deposit wagering site and racing channel TVG.