Could 2022 Be The Year Nevada Sports Betting Apps Allow Remote Account Registration?

Earnings calls from corporations provide a wealth of information to investors. Predominantly, the subjects covered in these calls are financial and generally don’t affect the daily customer experience. However, occasionally, there is useful information that reveals plans which will directly change the way consumers use the products.

To put it more succinctly, Caesars and Red Rock Resorts (also known as Station Casinos) recently revealed plans that will impact Nevada sports bettors. They intend to introduce new sports betting platforms in Nevada in 2022, according to information shared by the casino corporations.

These new platforms could pave the way for the development of new technology enabling remote sports betting account registration. Moreover, they provide a broader range of betting options and promotions for sports bettors across the US.

Caesars plans to bring Liberty to Nevada

At present, Caesars operates two distinct sports betting platforms. The Liberty platform, utilized by eight states, powers the Caesars Sportsbook and Casino app. This app was launched across most of the country in August.

Caesars owns the proprietary technology for this app. The company is contemplating the implementation of the Liberty platform across all jurisdictions in the coming year. At present, the Liberty platform is not used in the Caesars sports betting apps in Nevada, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.

During the third-quarter earnings call of Caesars, their CEO, Tom Reeg, stated:

We anticipate finishing the migration of our legacy to our Liberty platform in Washington, D.C., Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois in 2022.

During the call, Reeg praised the fact that Caesars’ portion of the handle in states utilizing the Liberty platform has risen to 12% as of September. Caesars undoubtedly aims to boost the amount of money wagered on its sports betting app in Nevada and other jurisdictions.

Upon its launch, the Liberty platform for Caesars was not available in Nevada. This was due to the requirements of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), which mandates new sports betting app customers to register for an account in person at a physical sportsbook within a casino. The platform was not compatible with these NGCB requirements at the time of launch.

Reeg did not specify whether the software would be altered for Nevada, or whether the policy requiring in-person account registration would be modified. It is hoped that Caesars is forecasting a policy shift, which would enable Nevada to soon offer the same kind of sports betting options and technology found in other parts of the country.

Station Casinos’ new sports betting solution in 2022

Station Casinos is urgently transitioning its Nevada sports betting platform. It’s undeniable that the Las Vegas-based casino operator will switch to its mobile and retail sports betting platform.

Station Casinos is transitioning from Stadium Technology to GAN following a glitch that led to a complaint being filed against them by the NGCB. The company had mistakenly accepted almost 350 wagers over the past few years that it should not have, prompting the complaint earlier this year.

Recently, GAN revealed plans to develop a new infrastructure for all sports betting platforms of Station Casinos in Nevada. The new platform will be utilized for the STN Sports mobile app, as well as in the casino at the sports betting desks and kiosks.

This will not only serve as a new platform for Station Casinos but also as a new operating system for a Nevada casino. STN Sports is set to be the only Nevada sports betting app utilizing the GAN platform.

The new platform from GAN needs to receive approval from the NGCB prior to its public launch. This is anticipated to be yet another major improvement for the sports betting offerings of Station Casinos.

For years, Station Casinos has opposed remote sports betting account registration, as one of the sportsbook operators. The firm favors customers visiting its casinos in person, as this could potentially increase income from restaurants, bars and other casino games.

GAN should ideally develop a platform that allows mobile account registration. Ideally, GAN will be readying Station Casinos for the unavoidable shift towards a more user-friendly sports betting solution.

More new sportsbook operators coming to Nevada in 2022

The year 2022 could bring significant changes to the sports betting scene in Nevada. There should be more new sports betting apps available, not just from Caesars and Station Casinos.

Betfred is yet to receive approval to launch its retail sportsbook inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The company already runs its online sportsbook in Colorado and several other states.

This year, Bally’s Corp. acquired the Tropicana. The company plans to introduce its sports betting platform in Nevada once the deal is finalized early next year.

The Venetian was sold earlier this year, with Apollo Global Management, Inc. set to manage the casino. While William Hill is presently in charge of the sportsbook at The Venetian, it is uncertain if this will persist under the new owners in 2022.

Earlier this year, Station Casinos sold Palms to San Manuel. The company aims to implement some modifications to the sportsbook upon its reopening in the first half of 2022. William Hill was the last to operate the Palms sportsbook before its closure in 2019. Similar to The Venetian sale, there’s no certainty that the company will recommence operations when Palms reopens.

MGM Resorts is considering selling The Mirage, while Caesars is also planning to offload one of its casinos on the Vegas Strip. There is a significant amount of interest from potential buyers for both properties. Each transaction is expected to introduce a new sportsbook operator to the Vegas Strip.

Next year, Nevada will see a surge of new sportsbook operators. This number could increase even further if the NGCB gives approval for remote online sportsbook account setup.