With two betting apps live in West Virginia, bettors may soon have a third mobile sports betting option. PointsBet, an Australian Company is currently live in New Jersey, is hoping to launch before the end of the football season.
PointsBet USA director of communications Patrick Eichner spoke to PlayWV about the possibility and impact of a West Virginia presence.
“Our goal is to get going in West Virginia as soon as possible, which could include this football season, although there are so many outside factors in play that it is hard to commit to a timeline.”
While there may not be a definite timeline, many WV bettors will be pleased to have yet another option. FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook launched in the Mountain State in late August.
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WV online sportsbooks set to grow
While not as well-known as other potential sportsbooks staking a claim in West Virginia, like William Hill, PointsBet has made some inroads in the US.
The company also announced a unique partnership with Topgolf in New Jersey to rebrand its bars as PointsBet venues. That combination creates something new in the mobile environment – an unofficial sportsbook without traditional betting windows.
The deal combines sports betting with a traditional entertainment venue. Players out to watch a game and have a beer will see PointsBet-branded bar areas that will include:
- Live game odds
- Special offers
- PointsBet rewards
The expansion into West Virginia comes as part of a recent deal between the company and Penn National Gaming, the owner of Hollywood Casino.
Each WV property is allowed three sports betting skins and PointsBet West Virginia Sportsbook has secured one of them. Eichner says the company is preparing to capitalize on that deal.
“We’re diligently preparing our product for launch in [West Virginia]. It’s one of the states we have a skin in and we’re looking to have an impact there.”
In addition to West Virginia, PointsBet also gains access to:
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Ohio
An additional sports betting app in the state may help further secure Hollywood’s spot as the WV sports betting market leader.
PointsBet compared to other WV sports betting apps
While PointsBet offers a traditional sportsbook, it also offers some unique betting opportunities to differentiate itself from others.
PointsBet not only refers to the sports betting platform, but a type of wager offered. A “points bet” wager is based on a margin of victory or loss.
During the first week of the NFL season, one New Jersey bettor placed a massive bet on the Ravens. That came to $30,000 per point.
🚨BIG POINTSBETTING BET ALERT🚨
A client has placed a PointsBetting wager of $30,000 per point for the Ravens (-6) v. the Dolphins on Sunday! ⬇️
-Max Win/Loss: $600,000 👀 pic.twitter.com/akPHG3Xcvt
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) September 6, 2019
Thanks to a lopsided 59-10 Baltimore win over Miami, the lucky bettor took home $600,000 (the exposure was capped at that amount). If he’d lost, the bettor would be out that $600,000 himself.
What does it mean for WV sports betting?
Competing in WV would be the latest in the company’s plans to grow its American presence. With two apps already live in the Mountain State, the platform will have to play catch up.
There are also some questions about how many betting platforms can be successful in the state. With three skins allowed per property, that could mean a possible 15 sports betting apps.
An early launch for PointsBet may offer a better chance at sticking around.
In August, PointsBet added a retail sportsbook at the Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington, Iowa. There are also plans to unveil the wagering app in that state after going through the regulation process.
PointsBet became a publicly-traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange in June. In an interview with Casino International magazine, PointsBet Vice President of customer and insights Ron Shell said expanding in the US is a major goal for the company.
“We’re competing against some massive brands in New Jersey, William Hill among them. So we’re looking to compete on a few unique, value-driving pillars including best prices, highest limits, best promotions, and the easiest-to-use app.”
