In Pennsylvania, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh has reportedly pulled out of plans that would have seen it launch an independent online gambling service with its trio of licenses now set to be sold off to ‘qualified gaming entities’ that could encompass out-of-state operators.

Decision reversal:

According to a Thursday report from CalvinAyre.com, the casino owned by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming applied for a trio of licenses covering the provision of online video slot, poker and table games in July but has now rescinded this decision without giving a reason.

Possible SugarHouse Casino tie-up:

One possible explanation could be that its sister, SugarHouse Casino venue has already paid a $10 million fee to be granted the same three licenses, which means that Rivers Casino Pittsburgh could partner with its Philadelphia-area counterpart in order to offer online gaming services as a ‘skin’ of the already-launched PlaySugarHouse.com domain.

Sportsbook plans remain alive:

However, the Pittsburgh facility is one of five Pennsylvania casinos that recently applied for a sportsbetting license with the downtown property reportedly still keen on soon being able to offer aficionados a range of sports wagering services.

Jack Horner, spokesperson for Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, reportedly told CalvinAyre.com that his firm ‘intends to provide iGaming to western Pennsylvania’ but that it now requires ‘additional time to explore the various options for doing so.’

Reportedly read Horner’s statement…

“Rivers Casino Pittsburgh is actively pursuing a sports wagering certificate to offer both land-based and mobile sportsbetting.”

Ten licenses now available:

For its part, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board explained that it now has ten iGaming licenses that it intends to auction off and advised interested ‘qualified gaming entities’ to file their petition before the end of the month. The regulator used an official Thursday press release to detail that these certifications include four peer-to-peer poker licenses as well as three each covering the provision of video slots and table games such as blackjack.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s statement read…

“In an earlier process provided in Act 42 of 2017, the Commonwealth’s 13 slot machine licensees had the first opportunity to apply for and obtain the 39 available interactive gaming certificates, 13 in each of the three types. That process ended with 32 of the certificates claimed with seven remaining for qualified gaming entities. The withdrawal now leaves ten available in a process in which qualified gaming entities seeking these available certificates can file a petition with the [Pennsylvania Gaming Control] Board beginning October 15, 2018, and ending October 31, 2018.”