Powerhouse sports betting operator FanDuel has opened its first sportsbook outside of New Jersey.
Partnered by Boyd Gaming, FanDuel hosted the grand opening of its Pennsylvania betting operation at Valley Forge Casino Resort on Wednesday.
The Casino is located near Philadelphia, home of the 2018 Super Bowl champions, Philadelphia Eagles. FanDuel will begin operating from a 1,800 square foot betting lounge at the Casino.
The lounge will feature seven bet-taking windows, six self-service terminals, 29 video displays, and seating for 30 customers.
With March Madness almost upon us, opening now is a good time to do it. What is not clear at this stage, however, is whether this lounge is a temporary or permanent fixture.
Meadowlands betting lounge dwarfs Valley Forge
Presently it is dwarfed by FanDuel’s sportsbook lounge at the Meadowlands race track in New Jersey. Here there are 15 sports betting windows and 60 screens. In addition, it has a capacity for holding some 500 punters
What we do know is that while online wagering on FanDuel’s Pennsylvania sportsbook is not immediately available, it will be soon. We’ve heard assurances of that.
Mobile betting has been a key to the success of FanDuel. It’s why the US sports fantasy giant and see-saw NJ sportsbook market leader with DraftKings is where it is. It would never have opened in Philadelphia if this facility was not available.
FanDuel CEO Matt King said of the Pennsylvania launch, “This is the start of something bigger. It’s the start of the FanDuel Group’s retail sports betting expansion in partnership with Boyd Gaming.
“Experience will serve us well”
“Our experience operating a top sportsbook in New Jersey at the Meadowlands Racetrack will serve us well as we enter Philadelphia. We’ll relish competing for customers in an area with some of the US’s most passionate and knowledgeable sports fans.”
Keith Smith, President, and CEO of Boyd Gaming, meanwhile, said his company had great confidence in FanDuel. “In less than a year, FanDuel has established itself as a leading brand in a competitive New Jersey market.
“We look forward to bringing their market-leading product to Valley Forge. We’re confident they’ll serve as a powerful draw throughout the Philadelphia market
Dave Zerfing, General Manager of Valley Forge Casino Resort was also “excited” by the development.
He said: “Located next to our gaming floor, we take pride in continuing to enhance our amenities and offerings.”
Brent Celek placed first bet
The Casino-sportsbook Grand Opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a ceremonial first bet. This was undertaken by Brent Celek, the former Eagles tight end.
Footnote: Play Sugarhouse, another of New Jersey’s early sportsbook start-ups, is already operational in Philadelphia. It was the first of the Garden State’s sportsbook to open there.
