International Game Technology (IGT) has partnered with Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino to launch online and retail sports betting in Puerto Rico.
Under the technology and services agreement, IGT will use its PlaySports solutions to power the Ponce Plaza sports betting offering. Ponce Plaza is located in the city of Ponce on the Puerto Rico southern coast.
IGT and Ponce Plaza will jointly launch Puerto Rico’s first casino brand-led retail and mobile sportsbook. Sports betting will be delivered as ‘PlayBets by Ponce Plaza’.
The agreement expands on an existing partnership between the two parties. IGT has been providing gaming equipment to Puerto Rico’s Ponce Plaza for a number of years.
“Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino has been serving the local community since 2008,” Ponce Plaza general manager Ramon Muñoz said. “We could not be prouder to be the first casino operator in Puerto Rico to run and operate its own sportsbook and to give sports fans an amazing betting experience backed by a local operator who they know and trust.”
IGT’s president of sports betting Joe Asher added: “IGT PlaySports looks forward to helping Ponce Plaza deliver the excitement of multi-channel sports betting to fans in the region through our proven technology and comprehensive services.
“By adding sports betting to their gaming enterprise, Ponce Plaza will be equipped with a valuable new player acquisition tool that will drive new customers to the property and enhance the overall experience at the hotel.”
IGT joins other heavy hitters in Puerto Rico
Partnering with Ponce Plaza means IGT will have a presence in Puerto Rico alongside a host of other major names.
In July, Caesars Entertainment announced that it had launched online sports betting in the US territory. BetMGM, the joint venture between Entain and MGM Resorts International, also went live in June.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico-based operator ZingSports linked up with sports betting software developer SB22. In addition, new operator Ballers Sportsbook set out plans to launch through a partnership with Sportradar.
