Australian mobile betting operator BlueBet Holdings has secured market access in Louisiana via a new deal with Rubico Acquisition Corporation, owner of the Louisiana Downs casino and racecourse.
The arrangement, which will run for a period of 10 years, will enable BlueBet to offer an online sportsbook in the state, pending final regulatory approval and licencing from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.
Louisiana is one of the latest US states to launch legal online sports betting having opened its regulated market on 28 January this year, following the initial rollout of legal retail betting in October last year.
BlueBet, which has also secured a licence to launch in Iowa and agreed a deal to roll out an online sportsbook with the Wild Card Casino in Colorado, expects to go live in Louisiana in the second quarter of 2023.
“Louisiana is a sports mad state and we’re excited to partner with Louisiana Downs to bring bettors in Louisiana a unique mobile-first sports betting experience,” BlueBet chief executive Bill Richmond said.
“This is our third market access agreement and continues our strong momentum in the US, and we’re confident that our capital light strategy is the right one to drive our long-term success in the US, an emerging global sports betting juggernaut.
“We look forward to continuing to demonstrate our technical capability, digital focus and experience in building and scaling sports betting platforms ahead of introducing our sportsbook-as-a-solution offering to the US market which will be a game changer for BlueBet.”
The business had previously pursued a licence in Virginia, but later withdrew its application after being deemed ineligible for a permit.
