Sports betting kiosks are slowly popping up inside New Jersey retail sportsbooks.
And the combination of March Madness betting, more specifically the Final Four, and opening month of MLB season creates consumer demand.
And those consumers are looking for convenient ways to bet.
The FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands Racetrack is the latest NJ location to introduce them. The 14 betting terminals are brand new, unveiled weeks before the start of the NCAA Tournament.
More specifically, they are IGT PlayDigital’s PlayShot QuickBet kiosks.
Enrico Drago, senior vice IGT PlayDigital, commented via a press release:
“The self-service kiosks deliver the same high-quality user experience as the FanDuel website and mobile apps, and feature real-time pricing updates for a full range of markets to give players at The New Meadowlands Racetrack the best possible betting experience.”
With NJ sports betting closing in on its one-year anniversary, the current market is packed with 13 sportsbook apps. And yes, they have the edge when it comes to convenience.
But retail sportsbooks in the Garden State see self-service betting kiosks as a way to stay in the game.
FanDuel: Kiosks are a game changer
It’s no secret FanDuel’s NJ location is No. 1 when it comes to both popularity and sports betting revenue.
Opening weekend action of the NCAA Tournament produced standing-room-only crowds. This equals long lines at the betting windows.
Not exactly convenient for getting in a four-leg parlay. But those 14 new betting kiosks help with speeding up the betting process.
In a statement provided to NJ Gambling Sites, the FanDuel team called the kiosks “a game changer.”
“The ability to put more than 40 IGT kiosks throughout the Meadowlands Racetrack has eased the congestion at our betting windows and made the sports betting experience more enjoyable.
“The kiosks are extremely intuitive, customer friendly and feature our full range of events and markets giving us an edge on our competitors.”
IGT and FanDuel have what can be described as a “productive business relationship.” And it’s one that extends beyond New Jersey.
IGT in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
The FanDuel-branded sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort opened last month. And there is another at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.
Like the sportsbook operator, IGT is focused on “exceeding patron expectations.”
The PlayShot kiosks are just the latest example of this. Charles Cohen, IGT PlayDigital vice president for sports betting, explained that the ultimate goal was to go beyond simple convenience.
“IGT and FanDuel collaborated to ensure that the kiosks deliver a reliable, intuitive experience that reflects the quality and familiarity of the FanDuel brand.”
DraftKings + Kambi + Resorts
The betting kiosks inside the DraftKings Sportsbook at Resorts were getting plenty of use during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
The kiosks, like the DraftKings mobile app, are powered by Kambi.
There are 18 0n property, including 16 in and around the sportsbook. Two others are located on the casino floor.
Too many kiosks? Neither DraftKings or Resorts thinks so.
Hal Tendler, DraftKings Sportsbook manager, said the emphasis has always been what is best for the customer. Kiosks just fit the bill.
“The actual bet is a smaller dollar amount, but there are probably more tickets printed at the kiosks than over the counter.”
Betting kiosks and a growing list for Kambi
The DraftKings name is plastered on the walls, but Kambi helps keep the betting process moving. The European-based company provides technology support to keep the bets moving.
And every client has specific requests for configuring their brand-specific kiosk.
Max Bichsel, Kambi US director, said the company’s focus is trying to create the “best in class product.”
But whether the customer is betting via the DraftKings kiosk or the mobile app, the platform is essentially the same. And just like the mobile app, customers build a bet slip. Wagers can be deleted prior to completing the transaction.
In fact, Kambi customers are taking advantage of this additional betting option.
Bichsel said in general, more than half of the retail bets come in through the kiosks. Parx, SugarHouse, and Rivers casinos in Pennsylvania all have Kambi betting kiosks inside their respective sportsbooks.
And much like with NJ sportsbooks, those betting machines are getting a lot of action.
KN: Considering the fact more than half of our US on-property bets are placed via these terminals, we believe a high quality kiosk is a must for any operator in or looking at the market.
— Kambi (@KambiSports) February 13, 2019
A March Madness betting test
Whether in Atlantic City or Pennsylvania, the machines have been putting in overtime with customers this month.
The opening weekend of March Madness betting — the first ever — will do that. Games started around noon and went until midnight.
Bichsel was happy to report the kiosks were up to the challenge.
“They definitely had a stress test in terms of the volume coming in,” he said. “Very proud how the kiosks held up in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”
More kiosks coming to NJ? You bet
In terms of other AC casinos, the Sportsbook at the Golden Nugget is equipped with nine self-service kiosks powered by SBTech.
Borgata currently does not have any betting kiosks since the Race and Sports Book is a temporary setup.
Special for March Madness betting, the MGM-owned property set up a special temporary space as part of its Brackets at Borgata promotion. Four additional betting windows are now open at the Central Conference Center.
But betting kiosks are coming this summer.
Borgata AC is building an $11 million permanent sportsbook slated for a summer opening. Betting kiosks (exact number to be announced) will be included.
Tom Gable, director of the Race & Sports Book at the Borgata, said he thinks they will be a great addition.
“It enables the customers to take as much time as they want. They don’t have to worry about someone standing behind them in line.”
And with Final Four betting front and center this weekend, customers will be lining up once again.