Sports betting services provider Kambi Group has signed a new sportsbook agreement with tribal casino ilani in Washington state, the parties announced Wednesday. The deal will enable ilani, developed by the Cowlitz Tribe and Salishan-Mohegan, to provide a Kambi-powered on-property sportsbook to its patrons in the Pacific Northwest.
“The long-term agreement further strengthens Kambi’s presence in the regulated US sports betting market, with Washington becoming the 19th US state where Kambi will deliver its industry-leading products and services,” a press release notes.
Under the terms of the new agreement, ilani will integrate Kambi’s sportsbook platform for an on-property rollout at its casino, described as one of Washington’s largest gaming properties. The venue, located on the Cowlitz Reservation in Ridgefield, includes 100,000 total square feet of gaming space and is set to benefit from Kambi’s technology and sports betting services.
Kristian Nylén
Kristian Nylén, Kambi CEO and Co-Founder, said: “We’re very proud to partner with ilani as this partnership further strengthens Kambi’s strong relationship with tribal gaming and allows us to expand into our 19th US state. Through their popular ilani property and close proximity to Portland, Oregon, they have built a formidable brand and a large customer base.”
Nylén added that Kambi looks forward to working with its new partnerships closely “to deliver high-quality and exciting sports betting experiences” to their on-property patrons in the state. The sentiment was echoed by ilani, with Kara Fox-LaRose, President and General Manager, adding the casino is “excited” to offer sports wagering as a new amenity to its guests.
“With the level of anticipation and enthusiasm for this amenity, ilani has invested in a new addition featuring a sportsbook and a new dining experience, The Stadium Sports Bar & Grill, featuring the largest video wall in the region,” noted Fox-LaRose. “We have created the ultimate sports watching experience in an environment that will truly offer memorable experiences.”
The property also includes more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space with nearly 3,000 slots and 75 gaming tables; 18 different restaurants, bars, and retail outlets; and a 2,500-seat meeting and entertainment venue. The new sportsbook space is set to further enrich this offering, with Ray Pineault, President and CEO of Mohegan, stating the operator has long anticipated the arrival of sports betting in the state.
“We’re excited to be at this final stage with Kambi. We’re looking forward to leveraging their award-winning technology to ilani’s valued guests and offering them an exciting sports betting experience, ensuring that ilani remains a premier entertainment destination in the region,” Pineault said. “The expertise that Kambi is lending to ilani will allow them to continue capitalizing on a number of compelling watching and wagering opportunities within the ilani property.”
Earlier this month, Washington state celebrated its first year of legal sports betting activity. The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) used the milestone to highlight “the smooth integration of safe and responsible sports wagering” into the offerings of gaming venues across the state. Washington state’s sports betting market is exclusively operated by tribal casinos.
