Casino operator Delaware North is ending its agreement with its sports betting partner after its two land-based casinos in West Virginia as well as its mobile betting app suddenly went offline on March 6 and have not had the ability to take brand-new wagers ever since.
In a Friday declaration, the company said that it has notified the West Virginia Lottery Commission that it “is taking steps to terminate its partnership with Miomni Gaming.” Its decision was prompted by a contract dispute between Miomni and third-party technology supplier Entergaming, the statement further read. As mentioned above, the dispute resulted in the operator’s two casinos – Wheeling Island Casino and Mardi Gras Casino – not being able to accept new bets, including ones on the NCAA basketball tournament.
Due to the dispute, the BetLucky mobile app, the only one operational in West Virginia, also went offline on March 6.
Delaware North and Miomni teamed up for the launch of in-person and mobile betting in October 2018. Sports betting went live at the company’s two West Virginia casinos in December. The mobile app was rolled out simultaneously with the launch of in-person betting.
Wagering came to the two properties after months of delays. Delaware North was first expected to launch sports betting at the casinos by the end of September 2018. However, it issued a statement back then saying that it would debut its sportsbooks and mobile app later in the fall without providing information on what had prompted the delayed start of sports gambling.
Working to Bring Sports Betting Back
Delaware North said in its Friday statement that they “are evaluating all options to once again provide sports wagering services.” The company also warned that “identifying and implementing” a new solution could “take several months or longer.”
With Miomni out of the game, Delaware North will need to find a new partner to power its brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and a mobile app. The process could be lengthy and complex.
The gaming and hospitality company operated two of West Virginia’s five retail sportsbooks and the only available mobile betting app. Aside from its now former wagering partner, William Hill and DraftKings Sportsbook are the other two providers of betting solutions licensed to operate in the state, which automatically makes them among the likely candidates for powering the Wheeling Island and Mardi Gras sportsbooks.
Delaware North said in its statement that while searching for a new betting partner, it will continue to honor and redeem all resulted bets and provide customers with information about how to access their accounts and withdraw their available funds.
