Kindred Group has teamed up with the Swinomish Tribe’s Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes, Washington, to introduce its renowned Unibet brand to the state. The collaboration will see the opening of a co-branded Unibet and Swinomish retail sportsbook at the casino. The six-year agreement, with a potential five-year extension, is subject to regulatory approvals, as online betting is presently restricted in Washington, except for mobile-on-property betting at land-based casinos.
Expansion in the US:
Manuel Stan, Senior Vice President for North America at Kindred, expressed excitement about expanding their presence in the US through this partnership with the Swinomish tribe. The establishment of a Sportsbook Lounge at Swinomish Casino and Lodge will enable them to offer a best-in-class sports betting experience to the patrons.
Unibet’s Presence in the US:
With this latest expansion, Washington will become the seventh state in which Unibet’s sportsbook product is live. Unibet is already operational in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and even in Ontario, Canada.
Norwegian Operations:
In a related development, Kindred Group’s Trannel subsidiary recently ceased targeting consumers in Norway. Consequently, the Norwegian gambling regulator, Lotteritilsynet, has suspended its planned daily fines against the operator. Previously, Kindred had continued offering gaming services without a local license, challenging Norway’s state monopoly on gaming. Initially vowing to persist and contest the fines in court, the company has since taken a different approach.
Kambi’s Sportsbook Deal with ilani:
In another significant development, Kambi Group plc has signed a sportsbook agreement with ilani, a casino owned by the Cowlitz Tribe and Salishan-Mohegan partnership, including Mohegan Sun, a prominent gaming and entertainment developer and operator. As part of this collaboration, Kambi will provide its market-leading on-property sportsbook solution to ilani’s casino, situated in Washington state. The platform integration will facilitate an on-property rollout at one of Washington’s largest casino properties, featuring an extensive gaming space of 100,000 square feet, and leveraging Kambi’s top-tier technology and sports betting services.
Kindred Group’s partnership with the Swinomish Tribe’s Swinomish Casino & Lodge in Anacortes marks a significant stride in expanding Unibet’s sportsbook presence in the US. While Washington becomes the latest state to offer Unibet’s sports betting, Kindred’s strategic decision to step back from Norwegian operations has led to a cessation of daily fines by the Norwegian gambling regulator. Additionally, Kambi’s sportsbook deal with ilani brings advanced sports betting solutions to Washington’s thriving gaming landscape, enriching the casino experience for visitors. These developments reflect the continuous evolution of the gaming industry and the strategic alliances driving its progress.