BetMGM To Give Oregonians A Second Option For Legal Sports Betting

The Oregon Lottery’s Scoreboard is the only option for legal online sports betting in the state. However, that will change soon, thanks to BetMGM Sportsbook.

On Thursday, the parent companies of BetMGM and Spirit Mountain Casino announced a partnership. The result could be another sports betting app taking wagers in Oregon.

Details on BetMGM at Spirit Mountain Casino

BetMGM is the exclusive sports betting partner of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, which owns and operates Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde.

“This joint venture between two of the gaming industry’s most recognizable brands will bring a world-class sports betting offering to Oregon,” said Stan Dillon, the general manager of Spirit Mountain Casino. “We’re excited to launch this partnership with BetMGM, which will allow us to extend our established position as the Northwest’s premier entertainment destination.”

According to the press release, a BetMGM-themed retail sportsbook will open at the casino later this year. The partnership isn’t limited to just land-based wagering, however.

The two companies also plan to launch an on-reservation mobile app using geofencing technology. The ultimate result of this deal, however, will be an online sportsbook available statewide.

In order to make that a reality, however, the Grand Ronde tribe will need to negotiate a gaming compact. It’s uncertain how quickly that will happen.

When that happens, it will be a monumental step forward for the OR sports betting market. The current monopoly enjoyed by Scoreboard detracts from bettors’ experiences.

When sportsbooks compete, it’s better for bettors

When there are multiple sports betting apps in a state, bettors enjoy four primary benefits.

The first of those is a broader selection of wagering markets.

Unfortunately, an Oregon law will preclude BetMGM from accepting bets on college sports. BetMGM’s wide array of markets otherwise will be a great option for Oregonians. At the same time, it will push Scoreboard to diversify its offerings.

A second benefit is competitive odds.

When there’s a single operator in a state, there’s little motivation for that operator to “price” its lines competitively. BetMGM would change that situation as soon as it launches statewide.

A third benefit is more aggressive marketing.

Sportsbooks fight for a share of a market through their advertising and promotions. This will lead to better odds boosts and other kinds of bonuses for bettors.

Finally, another benefit is pressure to innovate. For sportsbook operators, this includes new features in the apps and on their websites.

Later this year, Oregonians will have access to BetMGM’s land-based lines. The full benefit to the OR sports betting market will be realized when the app launches statewide.