Welcome back
FanDuel Group has relaunched its online sportsbook in West Virginia, using a new global sportsbook solution that the operator has developed alongside Scientific Games. The OpenBet betting engine from Scientific Games’ OpenSports platform is a key component.
cement FanDuel’s place as America’s number one sportsbook”
FanDuel Group CEO Matt King spoke about the excitement of launching the operator’s next generation sports betting technology in the US, starting in West Virginia. King believes that this global sports betting platform will deliver a top-tier experience to bettors and that it will “cement FanDuel’s place as America’s number one sportsbook.”
Scientific Games has been working with FanDuel’s parent company Flutter Entertainment for more than 20 years. Speaking about the West Virginia launch, Scientific Games Group CEO of Digital Jordan Levin said that it is “a truly landmark moment” in the history of the partnership. He believes that the OpenSports technology will be a game-changer for FanDuel and its bettors.
Presence in West Virginia
FanDuel initially launched its online sportsbook in West Virginia in 2019, with International Game Technology (IGT) as the original technology supplier. FanDuel also operates a retail sportsbook at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
The West Virginia Lottery issues sports betting handle results on a weekly basis, rather than the normal monthly reporting standard in other states. For the four weeks ending November 28, sports betting handle in West Virginia was $48.5m, an 8.7% increase from the previous four-week period. In total, betting revenue for sportsbook operators was $4.4m.
US expansion
The relaunch of FanDuel’s West Virginia sportsbook is the latest instance of Scientific Games working with a Flutter Entertainment brand. Other Flutter gambling brands that Scientific Games works with include Paddy Power, Sky Bet, and Betfair.
Flutter is looking to gain a strong foothold in the burgeoning US sports betting market. Last week, the gambling group announced that it has agreed to acquire Fastball’s 37.2% share of FanDuel for $4.18bn. The company will give approximately 11.7 million ordinary shares directly to Fastball as part of the offer. It also announced a new share placement, aiming to generate £1.1bn ($1.47bn) to help increase its FanDuel stake. Once the transactions complete, Flutter will hold a 95% stake in FanDuel.