Westgate has unveiled plans to establish a new company for SuperBook with the aim of expanding sports betting across the nation.
“We’ve been examining this for a considerable period,” Vice President of Sports Operations Jay Kornegay told KTNV. “We’ve really ramped up our efforts, particularly as we’ve identified some of the opportunities available,” he added.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, various states and officials sought to expand the SuperBook brand. Similarly, Westgate has reportedly been contemplating expansion for a year, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The company is anticipated to function similarly to other independent operators in the market, like William Hill.
David Schwartz, who is the director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research, expressed that taking a brand nationwide could present challenges. He noted that a brand’s recognition in one state doesn’t guarantee its notability in another.
Currently, operators are proceeding cautiously, aware that the market value has the potential to be enormous.
Running the sports betting numbers
The American Gaming Association reports the annual number of sports bets as:
- About $150 billion
- Approximately 3 percent, which is equivalent to $4.5 billion, is legal.
Kornegay told the Review-Journal:
“There will be a massive demand for these new, legal sports books that will spread nationwide. I predict the growth of sports gaming will mirror the trajectory of the cellphone industry. Right now, it’s in its early stages in this country, but I foresee sports gaming options becoming ubiquitous. It will eventually resemble the U.K, where they’re as prevalent as barbershops.”
Rearranging the current lineup
Westgate is undergoing several changes in addition to revamping its sportsbook. A new entertainment lineup and management team have been introduced by the company. Geno Iafrate has moved on from his role as Westgate’s general manager to take up a new position within a separate company under Westgate. Meanwhile, Cami Christensen has been appointed as the interim general manager.
In a comparative context within the entertainment industry, Dawn Rawles has taken over Laura Ishum’s position as the head of the hotel’s entertainment division. Ishum, having started her tenure at Westgate in December 2016, was responsible for bringing a few acts to the Westgate, including:
- Barry Manilow
- “Soundtrack”
- Comic George Wallace
- Magician Jen Kramer
The stage show “Soundtrack,” featuring Clint Holmes and Earl Turner, will conclude with its final performance on Sept. 22, while these details are finalized.
Other Nevada betting news
As Nevada’s SuperBook gains momentum, other competitors in the sports betting field are also accelerating.
MGM Resorts International is becoming more involved in national partnerships for online gambling and sports betting.
Governor Brian Sandoval is well-versed in the gaming industry and continues to support sports betting across the nation, believing it could bolster the Nevada market. He remains unworried about potential competition as other states begin to incorporate sports betting into their plans.
Recently, MGM became involved with:
- Boyd Gaming
- Bwin.Party and Ladbrokes Coral (GVC Holdings)
- The NBA
As the country prepares for sports betting, Station Casinos has teamed up with PayNearMe to restock the STN sports betting mobile app from 350 locations in Nevada, including over 215 7-Eleven stores.
