Newgioco And Montana Tribe Partner To Offer Sports Betting

• Montana has three pieces of legislation outstanding that would approve sports wagering.
• Newgioco has made its second agreement with a Montana gaming establishment this year.
• The company, paired with Northern Winz Casino, would offer their ELYS betting platform.

BOX ELDER, Mont. – The Northern Winz Casino chose Newgioco Group, Inc. to operate their sports betting technology, according to a statement released by the Italian gaming technology company.

The agreement, which is reported as being a multiple year deal between Newgioco and the Chippewa Cree Tribe, would be the first deal Newgioco has made with a tribal casino.

“They were the only betting provider we found that dedicated a team of experts to quickly customize an indigenous game offering for tribal casino operators,” said casino GM, Raymond Parker.

Per the statement, Newgioco would implement their ELYS sports betting platform, which was successfully launched in August 2017. The ELYS platform also is utilized in Montana by Fleetwood Gaming.

However, this is an anticipatory contract as the Montana Gambling Control Division must approve on the agreement before it may be executed and the state legislators must approve regulations for sports betting.

According to Michele Ciavarella, CEO of Newgioco, this agreement “allows us to pioneer a unique library … so that tribal casino patrons can bet on their favorite games in a safe, regulated environment.”

The Northern Winz Casino does have the capabilities of offering legal sports betting, as their state-tribal compact authorizes Class III gaming, which sports betting is considered. But they seem keen on waiting.

Currently outstanding are three sports betting bills that all differ in who would operate the industry.

HB475 would allow the industry to occur under the control of the horse racing industry. This bill is being heard in the Senate’s Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee, after previously being approved by the House chamber.

HB725 is also scheduled for discussion in the same committee, after also being approved by the original chamber. This measure would permit sports wagering, as operated by the state lottery.

SB330 would permit licensed gaming facilities to offer Montana sports betting, both in-person and through an online platform. This proposal has passed through the Senate and is currently sitting in the House’s Business and Labor Committee.

The Northern Winz Casino currently offers 60 Class II bingo slots, 45 Class III games in their 20,000 square foot gaming area. With a poker room and a potential sports betting lounge, the Northern Winz Casino may attract more players than for their bi-monthly poker tournaments.

News tags: Chippewa Cree Tribe | Montana | Montana sports betting | MT HB 725 | MT HB 745 | MT SB 330 | Northern Winz Casino