Maryland-based real estate development and entertainment operating company, The Cordish Companies, has entered into a partnership agreement with New York City-based bookmaker and daily fantasy sports provider, FanDuel Group, to bring the premier sports betting experience to its Cordish-branded properties throughout the U.S.

The recent tie-up will see two of Cordish’s Pennsylvania properties benefit from the partnership first, as Live Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh, both of which are currently under construction and slated to open in 2020, are expected to feature FanDuel Sportsbooks.

Future prospects:

The two companies will additionally set their sights on sports betting licenses and online gaming prospects in Maryland, Washington D.C., and other jurisdictions throughout the nation as sports betting spreads like wildfire across the country.

According to a recent press release, Principal for The Cordish Companies, Joseph Weinberg, said…

“We are excited to partner with FanDuel to bring our customers the premier sports betting experience in the country, including unique promotions and sports engagement opportunities that will only be available at Live! properties.”

Also commenting on the strategic partnership, Chief Executive Officer for FanDuel Group, Matt King, added…

“With ten decades of experience, The Cordish Companies have created the model for world-class integrated sports, gaming, entertainment and hospitality destinations. This partnership allows us to capitalize on the incredible success of sports betting to date and bring FanDuel’s top sports betting operations to Cordish destinations across the United States.”

Pittsburgh groundbreaking:

On November 13, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the under-construction $150 million Live! Casino Pittsburgh, that will replace the Bon-Ton department store that shut its doors in the slumping Westmoreland Mall in August last year.

The 100,000 square foot complex being built in Hempfield Township, approximately 30 miles from downtown Pittsburgh will feature 750 slots, nearly 30 live-action table games, the maximum allowed by Pennsylvania law for Category 4 casinos, a 445-seat, two-level sports restaurant, gaming venue and social lounge, Sports & Social Steel City, and now a FanDuel Sportsbook. Other features include an upper floor banquet hall, restaurant and nightlife area with VIP tables, a saloon bar, a mechanical bull and a dance floor.

High hopes:

Announced in July 2018 and the gaming license approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) in August, Live! Casino is expected to spur development and encourage people to spend time at Westmoreland Mall, where a myriad of closures have plagued the property owned by real estate investment trust, CBL Properties.

Philly Live!:

Being touted as “the first comprehensive gaming, resort, entertainment and sports destination in the United States,” the $700 million 1.5 million sq ft Live! Hotel and Casino Philadelphia is expected to offer 2200 slot machines, 125 live action table games, 30 poker tables, 4 restaurants and a sportsbook.