Now that online casino gaming has arrived in Pennsylvania its only natural that one of the industry’s premier software platforms has joined the fray. Founded in 1996, Net Entertainment (NetEnt), probably best known for its 3D slots games, has launched its innovative titles in the New England state’s newly-regulated market that went live on July 15, 2019.

The move by the Swedish developer comes after it was granted an Interactive Gaming Manufacturer Conditional License by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) via its NetEnt Americas LLC U.S. subsidiary in March this year.

Considerable opportunity:

Behind only California, Texas, Florida and New York, Pennslyvania is the fifth most populated state in the U.S. and with over 12.8 million inhabitants it represents a considerable opportunity, which NetEnt is undoubtedly eager to engage.

Commenting on the opening of the market in the official press release, Managing Director for NetEnt Americas LLC, Erik Nyman, said…

“I am very pleased that the market in Pennsylvania has now opened. We are one of the few online casino suppliers offering our games right from the start, and I am convinced that our award-winning online casino games will be much appreciated by players in Pennsylvania.”

Wolf signs expansion bill:

On October 30, 2017, Governor Tom Wolf signed a comprehensive gambling expansion bill making the ‘Keystone State’ the fourth in the nation to permit legal online gambling. The bill, which was approved the week prior to the signing, allows for intrastate online casino and poker products, as well as online lottery sales, daily fantasy sports, and new satellite casinos and video gaming terminals (VGT) at select truck stops.

Milestone year:

Up until 2004, the northeastern U.S. state had only a lottery, charity games and horse-racing, and anyone looking for more action needed to travel to New Jersey or Delaware. And while 2004 was truly a milestone year, with state casinos licensed for the first time, it wasn’t until 2010 that a new law (Senate Bill 711) allowing class 3 gaming (table games) really cemented revenue gains from gambling for state coffers.

Online casino partnerships:

Ahead of the opening of PA’s regulated online casino market, in early February this year the Stockholm-headquartered supplier of digitally distributed gaming systems entered into an agreement with Parx Online, operated by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Inc., which also operates Parx Casino, the state’s largest casino gaming complex (and horse racing venue) in Pennsylvania.

…and after in September 2018 applying for a license with the PGCB to supply local operators with its online casino games, NetEnt’s deal with Penn National Online Entertainment LLC, a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming‘s (NASDAQ: PENN) Penn Interactive Ventures (“PIV”) for its PlayDigital division, to deliver its portfolio of popular titles to customers of HollywoodCasino.com customers, was its first customer signing for Pennsylvania.

Nyman said at the time…

“This deal marks NetEnt’s first customer signing for Pennsylvania and is an important step in our growth strategy in North America. I look forward to our collaboration with Penn National and believe that our entertaining online games will be much appreciated by players in Pennsylvania.”

Launches and pending:

Each license to operate an online casino in PA cost $4 million, although the PGCB offered a one-time package deal for $10 million initially. PA online casino gambling launches include:

  • SugarHouse Online Casino PA, July 17, 2019
  • Hollywood Casino PA, July 15, 2019
  • Parx Casino PA, July 15, 2019
  • FanDuel at Valley Forge Casino, Summer 2019
  • Harrah’s Philadelphia, Summer 2019
  • Presque Isle Downs, Summer 2019
  • Mohegan Sun Pocono, Summer 2019
  • Mount Airy/Fox Bet, 2019

One of the pioneers in the online gambling industry, NetEnt AB (publ) provides premium gaming solutions to some of the world’s most successful online casino operators. The company has been, since its inception more than two decades ago, a driving force in the market with its exciting games powered by its cutting-edge platform. The NASDAQ Stockholm-listed (NET–B) firm employs 900 people in Malta, Stockholm, Kiev, Krakow, Gothenburg, Gibraltar and New Jersey.