Sportech wins pari-mutuel betting deal with Penn National Gaming

Sportech’s North American-facing Sportech Racing division has signed an exclusive multi-year deal to provide horse race betting technology to Penn National Gaming (PNG), one of the largest owners and operators of racetrack and off-track wagering facilities in the United States.

The six-year contract, including the potential for two one year extensions, was awarded following a competitive bidding process.

Penn National Gaming’s vice president of racing Christopher McErlean said that the company sought to enter into a partnership with a company that would bring “significant advantages” to PNG in the form of improvements to the customer betting experience, increased compatibility between its properties, and delivery of improved operational efficiencies.

“After a thorough competitive bidding process, we determined that Sportech Racing was that partner,” he said.

Sportech will provide betting technology and associated services to a number of PNG-owned or operated properties across nine states, including up to eleven racetrack properties, five off-track wagering venues, as well as the company’s eBetUSA.com internet and telephone account wagering service, which is already powered by Sportech subsidiary eBet Technologies.

All racetrack locations will be able to receive Sportech's on-track mobile betting service which allows customers to bet using their own web-enabled smart phones or tablets while at the racetrack.  

Sportech said that the contract win further strengthened its presence in the US marketplace, with the company well positioned for future deregulation across the country.

“We are delighted to have secured this long-term contract with Penn National Gaming, the largest racetrack and associated betting facility operator in the United States,” said Sportech CEO Ian Penrose. “This further strengthens our position in the United States, and builds upon the international momentum following sales to the UK Tote and a contract with Danske Spil, the state-owned Danish gaming operator, earlier this year.”

Beginning next year on January 1st 2014, Sportech will provide new services to eleven PNG properties, including Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Philadelphia, as well as its off-track wagering venues and account wagering services.

Other properties include Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia, Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland, Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway Bangor in Maine, and two properties currently in development in Ohio - Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

Sportech will continue to provide services to Freehold Raceway in New Jersey and its associated off-track wagering venue, as well as Zia Park Racetrack and Casino in New Mexico, Sanford Orlando Kennel Club in Florida, and Sam Houston Race Park and Valley Race Park in Texas.   

Sportech Racing’s managing director Andrew Gaughan said that the company was “very pleased” to have been selected by PNG to be the exclusive provider of pari-mutuel wagering services across the company’s properties and its growing family of racing operations.

“Sportech plc's ongoing investment in our Racing and Interactive technologies and services will allow us to serve the current and future needs of Penn National Gaming, and to deliver industry-leading solutions that will allow them to remain on the leading edge of horse racing and wagering entertainment,” said Gaughan.

Sportech Racing's betting platform solution is anchored by Sportech's Quantum System, which will be connected to the company’s BetJet Series and other Sportech betting devices deployed across PNG’s properties.
 
Sportech will host and manage the solution from its Quantum Data Center in New Jersey, which recently underwent a $2m refresh of server hardware and virtualization software to provide a state-of-the-art dedicated wagering infrastructure and operations to its racing industry customers.

Shares in Sportech plc (Co. Data) (LSE:SPO) have gained 3.83 per cent to 88.00 pence per share in London this afternoon following the announcement.