GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — Supply chain issues with software technology delayed the anticipated rollout of sports bet booking at Oneida Casinos in Green Bay, but officials now anticipate retail and kiosk options to be up and running by the end of NFL Week 11.
On July 1, 2021, Governor Evers signed an amendment to the state's compact with Oneida Nation that expanded gambling to include event wagering. The Department of the Interior had 45 days to approve the amendment, and then the Casinos agreed to partner with International Gaming Technology to provide their PlaySports technology as a platform for sports bet booking through Oneida Casinos. Officials planned on having their systems up and running before the 2021 NFL season kicked off on September 9th.
"We initially anticipated opening for the football season. We weren't able to meet that timeline" Chad Fuss, Chief Financial Officer of Oneida Casino said. "Right after we signed that contract, at the end of summer, we started working on what would our sportsbook look like. And we identified that we would have some constraints, meaning that supply chain, which is mostly [due to] global pandemic right now, of getting different software, getting the chips in. So Oneida casino and IGT is not immune to that."
Oneida Casino officials now estimate that kiosk and retail wagering will be available mid to late November, or between NFL weeks 9 and 11. One month away, staff has already roped off their temporary location on the gaming floor.
"Initial plan is going to be to open a temporary location on the gaming floor and at that time, coinciding, we're going to have some construction at our current sports bar to be more conducive to our sports bet booking operation," Fuss said. "Maybe something on a smaller scale to what you'd see in Las Vegas."
The bar is expected to reopen in late February and will only service appetizer-sized food moving forward.
The third key element to be rolled out will be a mobile app to come that's only available on reservation property, following the compact amendment that only permits sports wagering through Oneida property. There will be eight approved locations including the casinos limited by geofencing.
