On Friday, betting technology supplier Newgioco Group announced a multi-year sports betting partnership with the Chippewa Cree Tribe in Montana.
As part of the deal, Newgioco will provide its ELYS sports betting platform to the tribal group for use at Northern Winz Casino in the state.
Newgioco is a licensed gambling technology company that primarily operates in Europe. This deal marks the company’s first partnership with a tribal gambling operator.
Although Montana has yet to approve proposed sports betting legislation, the Chippewa Cree Tribe is engaged in a state-tribe compact for gambling. This compact allows the tribe to offer Class III gambling activities, which includes sports betting, on their land.
Raymond Parker, General Manager of Northern Winz Casino said: “Newgioco’s management team worked closely with our representatives for several months and demonstrated a considerable shared-vision to help our council fully understand the unique aspects and risks of this new business line for our community.
Michele Ciavarella, Newgioco’s CEO said: “While we await a decision on sports betting in Montana and many other states, this united partnership with the Chippewa Cree allows us to pioneer a unique library of Class 1 indigenous games so that tribal casino patrons can bet on their favorite games in a safe, regulated environment.
“The agreement with Chippewa Cree aligns with our core business of connecting with our clients by creating innovative tribal focused betting solutions through our ELYS platform and the many advantages this partnership can offer to the tribal gaming community as a whole.”
Last month, lawmakers in Montana introduced three separate pieces of legislation to regulate and legalize sports betting.
HB 475 would legalize sports betting under the board of horseracing, HB 725 would authorize sports betting through the state lottery and SB 330 would put the state’s Department of Justice in charge of regulating the activity.
While HB 725 and SB 330 would legalize land-based and online sports betting, HB 475 would legalize pari-mutuel at the state’s horse racing tracks, off-track betting venues and online.
On Wednesday, HB 475 will be discussed by the Senate Committee on Business, Labor and Economic Affairs.
