Presque Isle Downs and Casino has recently test-launched its sportsbook on the 24th of July. With this sportsbook, the venue is about to turn into the most recently launched sportsbetting facility in Pennsylvania’s gambling space. Moreover, the property is also about to prepare a mandatory, two days-lasting testing period of its sportsbook wagering operations. This process will naturally be inspected by the state’s Gaming Control Board.
The casino will hold its limited sportsbook opening on Wednesday starting at 4 pm at a local time until Thursday midnight local time. In the case of the state’s Gaming Control Board approving this testing period, the sportsbook will probably open its doors to the public permanently on the 26th of July which is Friday. It should be noted that Presque Isle Downs and Casino gained the green light to conduct this kind of betting from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in February this year.
Nonetheless, unlike other gaming facilities of this kind that went live with their sportsbetting activities shortly after receiving their state’s regulatory approval, this facility took some more time to build, manage and finally launch its sportsbook. Similarly to other gambling facilities which are owned by Churchill Downs Inc., Presque Isle Downs and Casino will also operate a prominent BetAmerica sportsbook.
History of Presque Isle Downs & Casino
Presque Isle Downs and Casino is a gambling facility which also features a massive horse track. It is owned and managed by the Churchill Downs Inc. company as of recently when Churchill Downs Inc. purchased the facility for around $180 million. Originally, Presque Isle Downs and Casino was opened by MRT Gaming Group at the 28th of February 2007 after two years after the company purchased the ground for the new gambling facility.
The casino became operational that same year in August. The casino was owned and operated by Eldorado Resorts which sold the facility to Churchill Downs. Currently, the gambling facility includes more than 1,600 slot machines. In terms of its gaming revenue, it is split between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the operator. The casino’s revenue generated from table games goes to Pennsylvania’s local government and the general fund.
Planning a Grand Opening Ceremony in August
When it comes to the facility’s sportsbook, the casino is planning to host a grandeur opening ceremony on the 8th of August which is when the NFL returns with its pre-season games. It is also worth mentioning that the Presque Isle Downs and Casino sportsbook occupies a massive, 1,275-square-foot area that previously featured hundreds of slot machines. These slot machines were actually relocated to other areas of the casino.
As previously mentioned, the casino’s sportsbook will be operated under the prominent BetAmerica-branded name while it will be powered by the SBTech software. Besides launching its sportsbook, Presque Isle Downs and Casino will also open around fifty self-betting kiosks with half of these being located outside of the gambling facility in other areas. What is even more, the sportsbook area will be smoke-free while some of the sportsbetting kiosks located in other areas of the facility are not smoke-free. It is also worth mentioning that the casino revealed its plans about opening both mobile and online betting, but these activities will become available to players sometime later.
