A betting solutions provider from New York City has allied with two Oklahoma tribes and one from California to launch a new sports-themed wagering product. The app, PlaySqor by Vetnos LLC, uses Class II sports-themed gaming technology to broaden the reach of bingo gaming “while filling a need in tribal sports gaming offerings.”
The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, which operates Indigo Sky Casino and Resort; Anadarko-based Wichita and Affiliated Tribes; and the Chicken Ranch Tribe of Me-Wuk Indians of Jamestown from California are the tribes involved in the alliance.
PlaySqor was strategically developed with a bingo engine, and targets “the casual fan betting on their favorite athletes on a fast, fun fixed-odds betting platform,” Vetnos described in a press release. PlaySqor will allow people to bet as little as $1 on player matchups from a variety of sports, including pro and college football, basketball, soccer, hockey, golf and others.
As reported by Tulsa World, Eastern Shawnee tribal Treasurer Justin Barrett stated: “We are not one of the larger tribes, but we are strategic, forward-thinking and progressive. When tribes are able to expand and manage our gaming offerings properly, we can generate more revenue for the betterment of our people and our communities.”
Once app players pick various matchups, the winners are then placed on a bingo-type card, where users can win money based on rows or what type of pattern of “squares” they fill. The app will be available for free download through iOS and Android devices, and is expected to go live sometime in the first quarter of next year, depending on final testing.
Wichita and Affiliated Tribes’ President Terri Parton added: “For us, it’s important to always be looking for ways to enhance the future of our tribe and our communities. Because it’s Class II, there is no revenue share with the state, so tribal nations will earn more. When tribes earn more, that means more jobs and stronger communities.”
The product will be licensed by tribes, which will also be able to customize and market the app as they see fit. They will earn a percentage of revenue, or “commission”, without it going to state. It was developed in consultation with Class II legal experts and using a Class II-experienced independent testing lab for strict compliance with the technical standards. As written by Vetnos, it “democratizes the sports vertical, with a fixed odds approach to wagering.”
Terri Parton and Justin Barrett
For Vetnos founder and Executive Chairman Joshua Berkowitz, this is “an exciting time” for its tribal nation partners and the company. “We set out to deliver value and opportunity to Indian Country and are committed to deepening our relationships with tribes throughout the country,” he noted. “Our proprietary technology platform and patented games change the landscape for tribal nations looking for a lower-risk entry point into sports gaming in a purely Class II format.”
“PlaySqor is an easy-to-learn twist on sports-themed gaming with an added layer of strategic fun. Traditional sports betting can be complicated, intimidating, and aimed at a small percentage of possible players, but the PlaySqor games are easy to understand, and the entry point fee is low,” the company says.
While sports betting is not yet legal in Oklahoma, Class II gaming has been legal for years. For the state to legalize in-person sports wagering, the Legislature more than likely would have to amend existing tribal gaming compacts, which give the state’s tribes gaming exclusivity.
