A couple of weeks ago MGM Resorts released a beautiful new sports wagering app geared towards Las Vegas tourists amd last week Boyd Gaming became the first sportsbook operator in Nevada to offer parimutuel horse wagering via their updated sports betting app.
Each app targets a different demographic and each should help their operator grow.
playMGM
playMGM by MGM Resorts and IGT (better known for their video poker and slot machines) released a new sports betting app that can be used anywhere in Nevada. The Functionality is what matters most with a sports wagering app but the interface for playMGM is unique and better looking than the rest. After a few early tests, the functionality of the app has been quick and flawless.
If all things were equal (they’re not) the software would likely make this the go-to app for anyone looking for a great mobile sports wagering experience. However, the terms and agreements for using the app seem a little restrictive for anyone who is an intelligent or sharp bettor. Lines can be changed and wagers can be rejected for ANY USER at ANY TIME for ANY REASON.
Since you can open a playMGM account at 10 different MGM Resorts sportsbooks on the Vegas Strip this app will become instantly popular with the masses that descend on Las Vegas. For reference, it was estimated that MGM Resorts hotels were at 98% capacity during March Madness. That’s potentially a lot of people who can fund a mobile wagering account in some of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas.
Like all sports wagering apps, you must be in Nevada to place wagers using playMGM. Mobile wagering accounts must be started in person at Aria, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, New York-New York, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, The Mirage, Excalibur or Circus Circus sportsbooks. There is a mobile debit card option for future account funding available inside the app. The minimum initial deposit is $100 and must be paid in cash.
Visit playmgm.com for more information. Visit the FAQ page for specifics on the wagering restrictions.
B-Connected Sports
Boyd Gaming released a new version of their B-Connected Sports mobile wagering app last week. The new version of B-Connected Sports is the first mobile sports wagering app in Nevada to include parimutuel horse betting. Both sports and race are incorporated into the same app but each has a separate section within the app that you can flip between by using the home button.
The race section lists thoroughbred, harness and dog racing separately. Once you select the type of races you'd like to wager on, simply pick a track and you can place any type of wager that you can in the race book at the casino. I’m a novice horse bettor and found the process simple and intuitive. The app is easy enough to use that it might bring some youth to the aging horse race betting market.
The B-Connected Sports software is produced by miomni and still has the same drawback experienced with previous versions of the app. You must disable wifi to use the app. It’s a minor inconvenience but an inconvenience nonetheless. I’m told this will be addressed in future versions of the software and you'll be able to use the app over wifi.
B-Connected Sports is the first app to have horse racing so we can expect other apps that use miomni software (Westgate and Wynn) to follow before the year is over.
