NetEnt is set to launch its award-winning games in West Virginia with iGaming operator BetMGM. This marks NetEnt’s first entry into the Mountain State.

NetEnt has teamed up with fast-growing iGaming group BetMGM in a partnership that is set to further increase the supplier’s reach in key US markets. Backed by GVC Group and MGM Resorts, BetMGM is soon to launch NetEnt content in West Virginia, which opened the doors to online casinos on July 15, marking the first time NetEnt’s internationally renowned content will be available in the market. NetEnt recently received a temporary license from the regulating authorities in West Virginia.

The agreement follows a strong period of growth for NetEnt in the US, after recently reporting triple-digit increases in quarterly gross gaming revenue in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“BetMGM’s rapid success in the US has been impressive and shows no signs of slowing down, making this a significant deal for our company as we continue to expand across the country,” says Brian Kraft, NetEnt Vice President Commercial, Americas. “Thanks to the strong performance of our games locally, the US is now a major revenue driver for NetEnt and we look forward to working with BetMGM to accelerate growth of both our businesses.”

Matthew Sunderland, VP Gaming at BetMGM, said: “We have already seen great success with NetEnt content in New Jersey. Their team really understand what appeals to gaming customers and I am positive this will serve as a major advantage as we strengthen our existing casino offering in West Virginia.”

eInstant supplier to expand its omnichannel catalog

IWG, the world’s leading instant win games supplier to WLA/NASPL lotteries, has partnered with lottery marketing services provider, Alchemy3, to develop omnichannel licensed games for the North American lottery market.

As part of this new partnership, IWG will combine its industry standard eInstant mechanics with Alchemy3’s wide range of popular brands to create games that bridge lotteries’ retail and digital sales channels.

Already, IWG and Alchemy3 have launched a SKEE-BALL® game with the Pennsylvania Lottery that is simultaneously offered in digital eInstant, retail Scratch-Off, Keno, and Fast Play formats. Players can play SKEE-BALL® in one of the retail versions, and collect a promotional code that awards free play of the online version.

Together, IWG and Alchemy3 have plans to expand into IWG’s North American lottery client network through its Progressive Play RGS. Partnering with Alchemy3 allows IWG to enhance and diversify its product portfolio, providing its lottery partners with established content and themes.

Rhydian Fisher, IWG CEO, said: “This is an exciting partnership for us that will enable us to deliver high impact, omnichannel offerings to our ever-growing partner list. Branded games are a great way to connect play across retail and digital. We’re sure that Alchemy3’s popular brands along with our proven industry expertise will result in exciting new eInstant and cross-channel experiences.”

Jeffrey Schweig, President at Alchemy3, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the team at IWG and can’t wait to see the launch of these new games in the North American lottery market. The Company is highly-regarded for delivering the best eInstant games to the lottery sector and we’re confident players will come to love the new concepts that they will be developing over the coming months.”

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! It was again an eventful week in the USA, despite the still-active virus attack.

Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include new partnerships and latest acquisitions. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

The Delaware County Council has established a new body named Delaware County Internet Gaming Revenue Authority to manage the distribution of funds from online gaming to public projects and services. The five members of the body are Doreen Storey, Frances Sheehan, Stefan Roots, Paul Johnson and Ronald Evans.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has approved the New Jersey-based Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) as the first independent test lab for iGaming and mobile sports betting in Michigan. MGR has become the only authorised company that tests and certifies iGaming and mobile sports betting in the state.

Great Canadian Gaming Corporation has provided an update on the status of its operations in Canada. On March 16, the company suspended operations of all its properties to contribute to the containment of COVID-19. Great Canadian will reopen its 11 properties in Ontario on September 28 as part of Ontario’s Stage 3 framework for the reopening of its economy. In New Brunswick, the Company will be reopening its Casino New Brunswick property on September 28 as part of New Brunswick’s COVID-19 recovery plan. In Nova Scotia, where casinos have been granted the ability to reopen, the Company continues to work with the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation on preparations required for the reopening of the Company’s two Nova Scotia properties. In British Columbia, Great Canadian’s properties remain closed as mandated by the provincial government.

New Partnerships

G2 Esports, a well-known entertainment and esports company, has signed a major commercial partnership with Pringles, the popular American snacks brand. As per the agreement, G2 Esports will join hands with Pringles and EA Sports on the latest series of G2’s talent search series Making The Squad, which is an eight-part content series based on Electronic Art’s iconic football video game, FIFA 21.

iGaming platform provider BtoBet has signed an agreement with Toplay for its integration on Rappi, a popular e-commerce platform in Latin America launched in July 2019. BtoBet’s Colombian partner, Megapuesta, has already been migrated to Rappi’s betting platform.

Sportsbook technology supplier FSB has signed a deal with Sports IQ, an odds feed provider. As per the agreement, the clients of FSB will now benefit from Sports IQ’s pre-match and in-play markets for all the major leagues, namely the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Hockey League (NHL).

Learfield IMG College, the holder of media rights of the University of Colorado Athletics, including the Colorado Buffaloes team, has inked a five-year deal with PointsBet, a Denver-based international gaming operator. As per the agreement, PointsBet will become a corporate partner of the Colorado Buffaloes.

New Acquisitions

Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company has acquired four franchisee-owned esports gaming centers in an all stocks deal.

Monkey Knife Fight, the rapidly growing fantasy sports gaming platform in North America, has bought the stakes of FantasyDraft, a daily fantasy sports site, for an undisclosed sum. As per the deal, MKF will absorb FantasyDraft’s assets and significant user base.