International Game Technology PLC (IGT) has signed a sports betting agreement with Meruelo Gaming LLC, an affiliate of the Sahara Las Vegas and Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV, and the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes.
Under the terms of the agreement, Meruelo Gaming will leverage IGT's trading advisory services and PlaySports technology to power the SaharaBets statewide mobile sports betting app for Arizona.
IGT PlaySports is deployed at more than 60 gaming venues across the US.
"The scalable PlaySports technology, turnkey services, capabilities and vast sports betting experience make IGT SaharaBets' ideal sports betting growth partner in Arizona," said Alex Meruelo, Meruelo Group President and CEO.
Meruelo hopes the agreement will generate more fan interest and provide additional opportunities to place bets.
“Giving Arizona Coyotes fans the option to place pre and in-game wagers online will increase fan engagement and boost the already contagious excitement of every play on the ice," he said.
IGT President of Sports Betting, Josh Asher, echoed his excitement about the collaboration.
"Given Alex Meruelo's success in turning the Grand Sierra Resort into the vibrant, successful casino that it is today, and all the positive changes that he initiated with the Sahara on the Las Vegas Strip, I am excited to see what he will do in Arizona as the owner of a professional sports team with its own sportsbook," said Asher. "I'm thrilled that Alex decided to partner with IGT for the hardware, software and trading services to make it happen."
