Amaya on target for 2015 sportsbook launch
CEO David Baazov confirms work is already underway to build a platform in-house and reveals plans for US poker and casino marketing drive
Amaya Gaming CEO David Baazov (pictured) said the firm is on target for a 2015 sportsbook launch with work already underway to build an in-house Full Tilt-branded sportsbook product, but refused to rule out using a third party platform supplier.
“The expansion into sportsbook is targeted for 2015 and the company has already been building out this effort,” he told analysts after Amaya revealed its Q2 2014 financial results.
“Right now the operating expense is built in in terms of already developing an in-house sports betting product, whether we decide to license or look at any other options is something we will clarify in the future,” he added.
The chief exec said the advantage of expanding into other verticals, with plans to launch a PokerStars branded online casino by year-end in Spain and Italy, is that Amaya can retain customers who go to other sites for sports betting and casino games.
“We estimate that up to half of the existing players are playing casino and or sportsbook on other sites. Providing these verticals in jurisdictions where they are able to be offered gives players the opportunity to combine loyalty points on a single platform, one they already trust,” he said.
Baazov also said that Amaya viewed its 86m players as “consumers, not just gamblers” opening the possibility of “expanding into other verticals that are potentially non-gaming”, although he didn’t elaborate further on what those markets might be.
During the call he revealed plans for a major PokerStars marketing drive in the US ahead of its imminent return to the market in New Jersey, pending approval from the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). The DGE has said Stars and Full Tilt could be licensed and live in the state by the autumn.
“Another vertical that we see from a growth perspective is branding, and licensing the brand to land-based operators in order to re-brand their land-based poker room to a PokerStars room, and being able to significantly increase their traffic and help our brand as well,” Baazov said.
Aside from the “exciting US opportunity”, Baazov also highlighted India and Latin America as regions where there is “going to be significant growth” and markets where Amaya was considering launching PokerStars and Full Tilt products.