LeoVegas plots US charge following Caesars market access agreement

LeoVegas is to make its maiden entry into the US, where the group will offer online casino in the state of New Jersey courtesy of a market access agreement alongside Caesars Entertainment.

This will see the company debut its proprietary technical platform in the region, with an expectation of being able to accept its first customers in the country during the first half of 2022.

Ahead of the launch of the LeoVegas brand in the Garden State, which boasts more than 20 brands offering igaming and gaming tax of 17.5 per cent of GGR, the group lauds the crucial move with the US to “become the world’s largest regulated gaming market”.

LeoVegas will use its proprietary technical platform, Rhino, for its establishment in the jurisdiction, which it says will offer a “unique and competitive gaming experience” for American customers. 

Gustaf Hagman, group CEO LeoVegas, explained: “We are proud to finally be able to share our plans to establish ourselves in the USA. We think the time and partner are right to launch ‘The King of Casino’ in the USA. 

“The American market has immense growth potential, and players are just now discovering online gaming. In the USA, too, we will focus on what we are best at – offering an innovative, world-class gaming experience directly in mobile phones. 

“Establishing ourselves with our proprietary platform is a strategic decision, and we know from other markets that having full control over our technology is a key competitive advantage.”

Earlier in the month, LeoVegas elaborated on continued struggles in the German market, which built upon previous concerns detailed earlier in the year upon publication of the group’s Q4 and FY 2020 report.

Making fresh comments in the group’s latest quarterly update, the online gambling operator said that during the year’s first quarter “we saw the full effect of the changes taking place” in the region, with new restrictions related to the upcoming regulation affecting performance.

However, elsewhere in Europe, the group highlighted a Swedish market where it stated “the strength of the LeoVegas brand and our product breadth is appreciated by our customers”.

The Nordic region set a record during Q1, with March representing growth on a yearly basis for the first time since the temporary COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in July 2020.