FanDuel is the fourth online betting operator (sports book) to join the Pennsylvania market, making PA the fastest growing betting US State. FanDuel, followed the steps of Parx, SugarHouse and Penns National, to “soft” launch earlier this week passing with flying colors. After 3 days ensuring that the bookmaker’s system demonstrated no issues for Payer experience, FanDuel transitioned to a “hard” launch and is now open all day all year round.

FanDuel is also the only PA provider that accepts bets through the iOS app. Apple has changed their policy recently steering all sport books to create a native iOS Apple app rather than allowing web browser coded HTML5. FanDuel, being the first to develop a native Apple app, should put it in considerable market position for Apple users.

On Monday July 15, Parx and Penn National were the first to begin online testing for the PA market. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) requires all operators to test their software via a limited operating window. Following which, if successful, being allowed to open to 24/7 operating hours. Parx and Penn became the first two operators to hard launch.

Rush Street Gaming became the third licensed operator, partnering with SugarHouse, to launch in PA.

We anticipate that remaining casino and sports book operators will launch their online presence in the near future. A PA gambling license which allows operators to hold all forms of online gambling service, each cost $10 million USD. This is not an insignificant amount, hence recovering costs would be paramount for operators.

Of note, is that no operator has yet to launch a poker online presence. This is peculiar as the poker gambling scene is large in the US, let alone PA, and a first to market mover would have great advantage.