The London-based business will provide Meruelo with its trading advisory services and PlaySports tech to power the SaharaBets app for Arizona.
Meruelo Gaming is owned by Cuban-American businessman Alex Meruelo. The billionaire owns the Sahara Las Vegas and Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort, and is also the majority owner of NHL franchise the Arizona Coyotes, with whom the SaharaBets sports betting app was launched.
“The scalable PlaySports technology, turnkey services, capabilities and vast sports betting experience make IGT SaharaBets’ ideal sports betting growth partner in Arizona,” remarked Alex Meruelo.
“Giving Arizona Coyotes fans the option to place pre and in-game wagers online will increase fan engagement and boost the already contagious excitement of every play on the ice.”
This venture is Meruelo’s first foray into sports betting, and also represents the latest expansion of IGT’s North American footprint.
Commenting on its partnership with Meruelo, Joe Asher, IGT President of Sports Betting, said: “Given Alex Meruelo’s success in turning the Grand Sierra Resort into the vibrant, successful casino that it is today, and all the positive changes that he initiated with the Sahara on the Las Vegas Strip, I am excited to see what he will do in Arizona as the owner of a professional sports team with its own sportsbook.
“I’m thrilled that Alex decided to partner with IGT for the hardware, software and trading services to make it happen.”
Meruelo’s new sports betting app became available to download on 12 January.
