The leading British bookmaker William Hill revealed that its US division is to enter a partnership with a Native American Tribe to roll out a sportsbook service in the summer.
The partnership agreement between William Hill US and the Mescalero Apache Tribe for a sportsbook release at Inn of the Mountain Gods, a premier resort and casino situated in New Mexico. The sportsbook that is to be offered in the venue is to be powered by William Hill and will use the British gambling firm’s risk management and proprietary technology in its operations. New Mexico punters will also be able to access the innovative betting technology, InPlay Wagering menu and the kiosks of William Hill.
The partnership with the Mescalero Apache Tribe marks the first sportsbook powered by William Hill in the state of New Mexico. Moreover, it is the first agreement between the US arm of the British gambling operator and a Native American tribe outside of Nevada.
The President of Retail operations for William Hill US, David Grolman, explained that the partnership with the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Mescalero Apache Tribe was important for the company. He also praised Inn of the Mountain Gods, calling it one of the premier resorts and casinos in the southwest and confirmed that the release of the company’s new sportsbook service will provide a first-class experience to sports fans in the region.
William Hill Seeks US Expansion to Deal with Stricter Regulation in Domestic Market
As revealed by William Hill in its official press release, the location of the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s resort and casino makes it a perfect place for visitors to come and stay over the weekend but it is also a suitable place for players making one-day trips from neighbouring cities.
The new sports betting service will start operation right before the start of the football season. The sportsbook is set to be located between the Apache Spirit Club and the Big Game Sports Bar, as confirmed by the Chief Operating Officer at Inn of the Mountain Gods, Frizzell Frizzell.
The latest announcement made by William Hill has become also the latest move of a British gambling operator in the US gambling sector. As Casino Guardian has previously reported, a number of British bookies have sought further expansion in the US after the changes brought by US Supreme Court’s decision to slash the long-time federal ban under which sports betting was illegal in the country. Prior to May 2018, when the US Supreme Court announced its decision, sports betting was banned as illegal under the provisions of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), except for only a few states that were allowed to provide this form of gambling to their customers.
By lifting the federal ban, the US Supreme Court opened the country’s sports betting market, leaving the separate states to decide for themselves whether to allow the new form of gambling or not. This has been seen as a chance for global expansion by some British gambling operators that have been willing to consolidate their presence in the lucrative new market and take advantage of the expected profits which could help them offset the negative influence of stricter regulation imposed by UK gambling authorities.
- Author
Olivia Cole
