BetAmerica Sportsbook Opens At Indiana’s Rising Star Casino

Sports betting is thriving in Indiana and Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) is the latest operator to stake a claim for some of the action.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based company has just launched a retail offering at the Rising Star Casino, Rising Sun, Indiana, under the brand name of BetAmerica of Churchill Downs.

That has come about as a result of a partnership between CDI and Full House Resorts, which operates five casino properties across four states, including the Rising Star.

The 3,000-square-foot sportsbook broadcasts games on 30 plus screens and allows players to bet on a diverse array of sporting events, including college games, either at self-service kiosks or at a window with professional staff.

It runs on a platform provided by SBTech, marking the sixth state in the last 18 months the UK-based company has launched a sportsbook.

Rising Star General Manager Ben Douglass was joined by several former Cincinnati Bengals players, including Ickey Woods, Joe Walter, Robert Jackson and Joe Kelly, for the grand opening on Nov. 12.

Did you miss the grand opening of our new sportsbook?

Make sure you stop by the NEW BetAmerica Sportsbook at @RSCasino and help us break this thing in!https://t.co/Yg3sviauuu pic.twitter.com/m5wwJiW3Jm

— BetAmerica (@BetAmerica) 12 November 2019

BetAmerica mobile offering coming soon

Bet America also expects to offer online/mobile wagering across the state of Indiana, subject to approval by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

Furthermore, through the agreement with Full House Resorts, BetAmerica can rollout it’s mobile offering in Colorado, following that state’s recent legislation approval, as well as a retail sportsbook at the Bronco Billy’s Casino in Cripple Creek, CO.

“We are thrilled to offer our premier sports betting platform, including unique products and promotions, to residents of Indiana and visitors from nearby states,” said BetAmerica President Ian Williams. “BetAmerica sportsbooks are now live in five states and we look forward to expanding into many more. Our organization’s experience as the leader in online wagering in the U.S. will enable us to offer our customers the very best mobile and in-venue sports betting experience.”

Out-of-state money flowing into Indiana

The Rising Star is the third Indiana casino near Cincinnati to open a sportsbook since legal sports betting began in the state on September 1.

It’s proximity to the border with Ohio should see it farewell as it seems clear the Cincinnati market has an appetite to wager and that bettors are willing to cross into Indiana each time.

The Horseshoe Lawrenceburg was the second-highest casino last month in terms of handle ($6.9 million), and that property is located just a half-hour’s drive from downtown Cincinnati.

The Rising Star is just another 30-minutes drive away and within two hours of Indianapolis and Louisville.

While sports betting remains illegal in Ohio, albeit we’re projecting a launch sometime in 2020, it’s neighbor has been quick to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by the Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA in May 2018.

So much so that Hoosiers bet $92 million in October, the first full month of mobile betting, with the state’s coffers benefiting to the tune of nearly $2 million in taxes to date.

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