IGT lands sports betting licence in West Virginia

Plans in place for continued rollout in other states

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International Game Technology (IGT) has secured an interim licence to provide its PlayShot integrated sports betting platform in West Virginia, with plans to seek similar approval in other states across the US. The licence will enable IGT to seal partnerships with casino operators in West Virginia that are looking to launch sports betting services when the state moves to regulate such activities. West Virginia is yet to legalise sports wagering, but recent reports suggest the state is closing on full regulation. Earlier this month, GeoComply became the first company to secure an interim licence in West Virginia, while FanDuel in June signed a deal to provide sports betting to the Greenbrier resort. William Hill also recently said it had agreed a sports betting partnership with an unnamed casino in the state, while Kambi in July lodged a licence application. Speaking about IGT’s new interim licence, Enrico Drago, senior vice-president of PlayDigital at the company, said: “Receiving approval from the West Virginia Lottery Commission to deploy IGT's PlayShot sports betting solution throughout the state continues IGT’s momentum in pioneering sports betting across the U.S., and creates additional new market opportunities for IGT. “This distinction acknowledges the reliability, security and market-readiness of IGT's PlayShot solution, and creates opportunities for IGT to further differentiate our sports betting solution in the marketplace.” IGT has been quite active in seeking out partnerships following the Supreme Court’s ruling on PASPA. In June, IGT agreed a deal to provide sports betting services to MGM Resorts International in New Jersey, while the firm is also working with FanDuel in the state.