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Malta-based Hacksaw Gaming has entered the US online gambling market through a deal with Rush Street Interactive.
Rush Street now provides Hacksaw Gaming online slot titles in West Virginia on BetRivers through distribution from Light & Wonder
Hacksaw Gaming CCO Gabrielle Star said the new partnership is the first step in the company’s plan to expand in the North American market:
“We’re overjoyed to make our long-awaited US bow with RSI’s BetRivers, one of the leading casino brands in the states, capping months of hard work behind the scenes. This is just the beginning.
We’ll be looking to explore more collaborative opportunities with RSI in our bid to become [the] provider of choice for casino fans in West Virginia and across the country as more states liberalize their outlook on iGaming.”
While this is the first time the companies have partnered in the US, it’s not the pair’s first North American venture. Hacksaw and Rush Street launched in Ontario in July.
West Virginia launch could open doors into other US markets
Hacksaw Gaming’s partnership with Rush Street may open up opportunities to expand to other jurisdictions where Rush Street operates, such as Colombia. For now, though, Hacksaw will operate in one of six states that allow online gambling.
Revenue for West Virginia’s online casinos isn’t nearly as high as Michigan, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. However, there is plenty of handle and revenue to go around.
In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the state’s online casinos generated $4 billion, up $1.4 billion over the previous year.
Revenue topped out at around $139 million in FY 2022-2023, and the state netted $20.8 million in taxes from online casinos.
While there was no announcement about plans to expand to Pennsylvania, a move into the Keystone State is a possibility. Rush Street is a prominent player in the state’s land-based and online casinos. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s monthly online casino revenue totals for the past nine months are higher than West Virginia’s yearly totals.
“As one of the first few states to adopt a forward-leaning approach towards iGaming, West Virginia is the ideal market to begin our US journey and we have no doubt that our extensive game library will resonate with its BetRivers players,” Starr said in a Hacksaw Gaming press release.
The launch comes around nine months after Hacksaw secured an operating license from the West Virginia Lottery in November.
