theScore Secures Illinois Mobile Betting Market Access Through Caesars Entertainment
March 30, 2021
Score Media and Gaming has announced that it has secured market access to offer mobile sports betting in Illinois via an agreement with Harrah’s Joliet Hotel & Casino, a Caesars Entertainment resort.
Subject to receiving all relevant licenses and approvals from the Illinois Gaming Board, theScore says it anticipates launching its mobile sportsbook, theScore Bet, in Illinois in the second half of calendar 2021.
Illinois will be the fifth U.S. state to go live with theScore Bet, after New Jersey, Colorado, Indiana, and Iowa.
“Gaining market access to Illinois is a significant development that will bring our award-winning mobile sportsbook to one of the most populous states,” said John Levy, Chairman and CEO, theScore. “Caesars is a giant in the casino-entertainment industry and we’re thrilled to have reached this agreement to extend theScore Bet’s footprint into another key new market.”
Under the agreement, Caesars will receive a percentage of revenue derived from theScore Bet’s mobile sports betting operations in Illinois, subject to certain annual minimum guaranteed amounts. In addition, theScore will reimburse Caesars for certain costs and licensing fees. The agreement spans an initial term of 10 years, with a 10-year renewal term, exercisable at theScore’s option.
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Meanwhile, theScore has also signed a deal with the PGA Tour to become an Official Betting Operator of the Tour across the United States and Canada. In Canada, theScore Bet will become the Tour's first Official Betting Operator, pending enabling legislation and regulation and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.
The Tour will also begin to incorporate daily odds updates from theScore Bet within the its live audio play-by-play, distributed via SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio and PGA Tour Digital platforms. theScore Bet will also have rights to advertise with the PGA Tour and its media partners and video content rights to enhance its golf offerings and coverage on theScore and theScore Bet apps.
“The PGA Tour is focused on engaging sports fans and Score Media and Gaming is one of the global leaders in delivering highly personalized scores, news, statistics and sports betting information,” said Scott Warfield, Vice President of Gaming at the PGA Tour. “Leveraging theScore’s vast reach via this relationship will allow the Tour to engage fans in unique and creative ways.”
“The PGA Tour has been an innovative, industry leader in sports betting and we’re excited to collaborate to enhance our integrated media and betting experience,” said Aubrey Levy, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content, theScore. “The PGA Tour is a proponent of leveraging media to create unique betting experiences and shares our view for the sizable potential of a regulated Canadian market. We’re proud to partner with the Tour as an Official Betting Operator immediately across the U.S., and in Canada as soon as legislation allows.”
SOURCE: theScore