Caesars Sportsbook Launches in Puerto Rico, First Challenger to BetMGM
Caesars Entertainment Inc. has launched its mobile sports betting app in the unincorporated US territory of Puerto Rico, it announced July 6 in an official company statement.
The company has moved swiftly after the Puerto Rican Gaming Commission, or PRGC, approved its license application late last month.
The move also comes not long after the opening late last year of the Caesars Sportsbook at Casino Metro. Its MetroBets-branded retail sportsbook in San Juan’s Sheraton-Marriot Hotel and Casino (pictured) launched in December 2022.
Caesars will also partner with Casino Metro for the operations of its new online sportsbook.
“The launch of our mobile sports wagering platform is an excellent complement to the elevated experience we’ve provided customers at MetroBets with Caesars Sportsbook at Casino Metro,” said Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital.
“We’d like to thank our partners and the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission for making our sportsbook available throughout all of Puerto Rico, and we’re confident customers will enjoy an experience they can’t find anywhere else.”
The launch positions the company to compete directly with BetMGM, which launched its mobile sports betting app last month in the Puerto Rican market. It partnered with Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort, with whom it also operates a retail sportsbook.
Related: BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbooks, compared by our experts
Uptick in Customers
Puerto Ricans wishing to use sportsbook apps like Caesars will have to finalize their registration in-person at the partnered casino.
The island is 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, so some potential customers in more remote parts could be in for a fair journey to get to San Juan.
For Puerto Ricans signing up for Caesars Sportsbook, that means registering at Casino Metro, which claims it’s the territory’s largest casino. Bettors can download the app on iOS and Android or visit the Caesars Sportsbook website on desktop, and then present ID at the casino sportsbook to confirm.
Alternatively, registration can be completed at one of the 14 sports betting kiosks in the MetroBets venue.
Despite that potential challenge, Casino Metro management says the allure of mobile sports betting has already seen more customers visiting the MetroBet venue to register for online betting.
“Since the grand opening of MetroBets with Caesars Sportsbook at Casino Metro, we’ve experienced an exciting uptick in customers,” said Casino Metro’s General Manager Ismael Vega.
“The user-friendly app allows customers to bet responsibly from any corner of the island, elevating the experience we offer with MetroBets.”
Caesars Rewards
The launch press release also mentioned the Caesars Rewards system, which customers can join when wagering online with Caesars Sportsbook.
The app links mobile sports betting to Caesars Rewards, where each bet placed earns Tier Credits and Reward Credits that can be redeemed for exclusive Caesars Rewards experiences.
That includes discounts at various Caesars Entertainment properties across the U.S., including most of its famous Las Vegas casinos– the Horseshoe Las Vegas, Caesars Palace itself, and Paris Las Vegas.
The Caesars Sportsbook app “provides customers with a premier sports betting experience from anywhere in Puerto Rico, with numerous deposit options, fast payouts, user-friendly features, and daily boosts and promotions,” according to the official launch statement from the operator.
Future Competition
Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment is currently one of three operators licensed to offer sports betting in Puerto Rico. The other two are recently launched BetMGM and casino platform and slots provider International Game Technology, or IGT, who have yet to launch their planned sportsbook.
The island’s regulator is currently looking at another 50 gambling licenses. A significant portion of those are back-end sports betting development and supporting services rather than customer-facing operators.
Two Puerto Rican-based operators also announced plans to enter the market in recent months. ZingSports and the newly-formed Ballers Sportsbook are both looking to launch in 2023 or early 2024.
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