Hacksaw Gaming is coming to the United States, and its first destination is the West Virginia online gambling market.
On Nov. 14, Hacksaw announced its decision to move into the US. The West Virginia Lottery approved the company’s first US license. It’s a move Hacksaw Gaming calls “the start of a significant expansion into the US.”
CEO Marcus Cordes said in a news release:
“We’re finishing the year just as strongly as we started it. Being granted this license is testimony to the quality of our games portfolio and shows just how robust and engaging our content is.”
What is Hacksaw Gaming, and when can I start playing?
Hacksaw Gaming’s website describes the company as “disruptive gaming.” It offers scratch cards, slots, and other games with large prizes — all on a secure online gambling platform.
The company’s website says it offers more than 120 games, boasts more than 250 partners, and resides in more than 18 regulated markets.
Hacksaw Gaming’s website explains that the company will tackle just about anything to help its clients:
“We can offer you the fastest, most secure and most flexible solution to distribute your content in our constantly expanding network of operators. We will help you with licensing, infrastructure, compliance adaptions, certification, translations, commercials and promotional material. Use all the benefits of our expertise and distribution, allowing you to focus on creating the best content you can do and leave the rest to us.”
West Virginians won’t have to wait that long until they can use Hacksaw Gaming’s services. The company’s news release says it plans to go live in the US in the first quarter of 2023.
West Virginia online gambling sector continues to expand
Hacksaw Gaming’s announcement comes at a time when West Virginia saw a month-to-month jump in online gambling handle. In October, West Virginians gambled $317,057,861. That number represents a 12.4% jump from September’s $282.17 million handle.
Year-to-year numbers, though, show an even greater leap. West Virginia notched an online gambling handle of $197,830,454.21 in October 2021. October 2022’s number equates to roughly a 60% jump in handle. This a great sign for prospective companies eyeing West Virginia’s market.
West Virginia totaled $9.4 million in online casino revenue in October as well.
Hacksaw Gaming partnered with Las Vegas-based Light & Wonder, which should help with further expansion in the US. Light & Wonder is one of the world’s leaders in gaming, creating hardware and systems for their popular games.
Light & Wonder also owns brands Bally, WMS, and Shuffle Master.
“We have an exciting strategy for the US, and our team is focused on delivering yet more excellent and memorable products to delight that market,” Hacksaw SVP of Compliance North America Christine Bordeaux said in a news release.
Earlier this month, Internet Vikings and EveryMatrix agreed to a partnership in West Virginia. In the agreement, Internet Vikings (a cloud hosting provider) will provide hosting services to EveryMatrix (an online gambling software company).
That news came shortly after EveryMatrix officially launched in the US.
Hacksaw Gaming already has a license in North America
The company is no stranger to North America. Back in May, Hacksaw Gaming received a license to operate in Ontario, Canada — one of the biggest North American markets.
The decision came not too long after Ontario legalized online gambling.
Outside of North America, Hacksaw Gaming made other recent moves. Romania and the Isle of Man both approved Hacksaw Gaming’s license earlier this year.