Louisiana introduced sports betting in June 2021 and since that time, the state has seen numerous companies and suppliers throw their hats in the interactive wagering arena. The latest is Genius Sports which received a license on Tuesday to operate in the state as a certified sports wagering service provider for an initial test period of six months.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has given the data and technology company the go-ahead to launch its distinct product in the state and Genius Sports now effectively has a foothold in 18 of the 30-odd states that offer sports betting.
Genius Sports’ offer spans numerous data-driven segments, including marketing, streaming, and official data for both sportsbooks and lotteries. Louisiana’s sports betting industry has been fast-evolving to accommodate a more comprehensive gaming experience.
With Interactive Wagering Pending, Companies Are Looking for More Market
As the state expects to transition to interactive sports gambling entirely, more suppliers are entering the market to provide existing stakeholders and their retail sportsbooks with a good start when this finally happens. Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke thanked the Gaming Control Board for the trust vowed in his company, and said:
“As an increasing number of US states legalize sports betting, Genius Sports welcomes the opportunity to work with states like Louisiana, on providing sports fans with official sports data-powered solutions.”
Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke
As of the time of reporting, Louisiana has four casinos that are up and running and offering a sports betting product. These include Harrah’s New Orleans, Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge, Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, and Boomtown Casino in Harvey.
Genius Sports has an extensive footprint as a provider of big data to sportsbooks, having partnered with numerous entities including Hard Rock, BetMGM and Entain, Barstool, and others. As Genius is launching for a period of six months, the company expects to be granted full authorization.