The NFL season kicks off Thursday night when the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears, but sports fans will not yet be able to bet on the game at Mohegan Sun Pocono or Mount Airy Casino Resort.
Mohegan Sun Pocono officials previously said they hoped to launch a sportsbook at the Plains Twp. casino in time for NFL season but wagers are not yet being accepted.
The sportsbook is still being constructed near the casino’s main entrance and Molly O’Sheas Irish Pub.
David Parfrey, vice president of marketing for Mohegan Sun Pocono, said he expects it will open in late September.
Todd Greenberg, general manager for Mount Airy Casino Resort, also previously said he expected the sportsbook at the casino would open in time for NFL season.
An opening date has not yet been set to launch sports betting at the Monroe County casino, however, Joanna Doven, a spokeswoman for Mount Airy, said Tuesday.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved Mohegan Sun Pocono’s petition for a sports betting license in May and Mount Airy’s in June. Each casino is paying a $10 million licensing fee.
The 1,130-square-foot facility being constructed at Mohegan Sun Pocono will have capacity for 75 patrons, including 42 couch seats and 23 high chair seats. It includes an 8-foot by 15-foot high-definition video wall and four 3-foot by 6-foot screens for various games.
The casino entered into an agreement with New York-based Unibet Interactive Inc., a subsidiary of Kindred Group PLC, that will serve as its sports wagering and interactive gaming operator. Online sports wagering is expected to go live after the sportsbook opens.
Mount Airy entered into a partnership with The Stars Group to offer sports wagering at the casino and online.
The former Gypsies Lounge will be converted to an approximately 7,000-square-foot sportsbook and poker room.
The 3,800-square-foot sportsbook at the casino will include live tellers during peak hours, flat-screen high-definition televisions and four self-service kiosks. Four additional kiosks will be located on the existing
gaming floor.
Mount Airy officials also could not yet say when online sports wagering would start.
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