SBTech powers first legal sports bet in Arkansas

The first bet was placed in the newly regulated US state last week, thanks to a partnership between SBTech and Churchill Downs.

US.- SBTech, a leading supplier of sports betting technology and solutions, has gone live with Oaklawn Racetrack and Casino, powering the property’s retail sportsbook with the first bet placed earlier this month. The newly refurbished Oaklawn Racetrack and Casino is the first operator in the state to launch sports betting via its in-house venue powered by SBTech.

The first bet was placed last week with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort general manager Wayne Smith wagering US$5 on the Dallas Cowboys to beat the New York Giants in the NFL’s opening game on September 8.

Retail players can access 10 kiosks to bet on a comprehensive selection of sports including American football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, UFC, golf and tennis to name a few. Oaklawn will introduce an SBTech powered mobile betting app later this year.

In August last year, SBTech created history by becoming the first supplier to announce sportsbook technology partnerships in the newly regulated US market with Churchill Downs and Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino, just weeks after the repeal of PASPA.

Since then it has rapidly become the go-to sportsbook platform supplier across regulated US states with several tier one partners, most recently being selected as the supplier of choice for the Oregon Lottery. SBTech is recognized for its highly innovative, revenue-generating platform and sportsbook technology and its unparalleled speed to market, localization and flexibility.

Richard Carter, CEO, SBTech, said: “We are rapidly becoming the supplier of choice for omni-channel sportsbook platform software in regulated and newly regulating US states, as well as major global regulated markets for tier one operators and lotteries.

“We’re delighted that Oaklawn selected SBTech to power their sportsbook in partnership with Churchill Downs and launch the state’s first sports wager, and we look forward to extending that to other products and channels in the near future.”

Ian Williams, President Online Gaming, Churchill Downs, said: “We are delighted to facilitate sports betting at Oaklawn through our partners SBTech. As a long-standing partner in horse racing, it was a natural fit for us to bring legal sports betting first to the state of Arkansas.”