BetMGM has launched its first-ever horse racing mobile app in Ohio, setting the stage for similar apps in other states and offering the residents of Ohio a chance to wager on horse races held at more than 200 tracks around the world.
The platform was launched in partnership with NYRA Bets, the official horse racing wagering platform of the New York Racing Association (NYRA). As the leading provider of horse racing wagering services in the US, NYRA now allows BetMGM customers to place bets on horse races conveniently from their home on a state-of-the-art platform.
“We’re proud to introduce BetMGM Horse Racing, our new mobile offering to the state of Ohio,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “In partnership with NYRA Bets, we’ve created an innovative digital experience for horse racing fans and anticipate the platform’s future launch in additional states.”
On top of allowing users to bet on ongoing and upcoming horse races, the NYRA Bets platform provides users with live streams of races and other related content, as well as replays of earlier races. Major US racing events such as the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup are available along international events such as the Royal Ascot meet, Melbourne Cup, the Dubai World Cup, and more.
“The Northfield Park harness racing grounds have been home to some of the nation’s premier races since the 1950s,” said Matt Buckley, senior vice president for marketing and operations at MGM Northfield Park.
“Working with BetMGM to elevate harness racing throughout Ohio is a sign of our continued commitment and investment in the sport.”
Users in Ohio will have an opportunity to download iOS and Android versions of the first BetMGM horse racing mobile app over the coming months, as the operator prepares for entry into additional markets with similar products.
NYRA Bets Gets Provisional License in Michigan
On October 15, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued a provisional gaming license to NYRA Bets for operation in the Great Lakes State. The largest horse race betting operator out of New York will now have the opportunity to offer horse race betting to the residents of Michigan via its mobile platform.
“Michigan horse racing fans now have another option for using mobile wagering to place bets from anywhere in the state on horse races,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
This license was issued in accordance with the Horse Racing Law of 1995, which was amended in 2019 to allow the MGCB to license third party firms to facilitate horse race wagering on both live and simulcast races.
With the license, NYRA Bets will join several other licensed operators, including TVG Network, Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives and Xpress Bet, as providers of such services. The license will remain in place until the end of 2022 if NYRA Bets can maintain all its contractual obligations.
NYRA Bets was launched as a national advance deposit wagering platform in 2016 and is currently available in more than 30 states, providing the opportunity for mobile betting on US and international horse racing events.
