Mississippi recently became the third US state to welcome legalised sports betting this year and IGT has taken full advantage, offering both pre-game and in-progress sports bets at the IP Casino Resort and Spa in Biloxi and Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Tunica.

Vincent Schwartz, Boyd Gaming Senior Vice President of Operations, commented: "The expansion of sports betting is an exciting growth opportunity for our company and we are pleased to offer this new gaming entertainment product to our Mississippi customers via IGT's proven, user-friendly technology.”

IGT Senior Vice president PlayDigital, Enrico Drago, said: “IGT's momentum in US sports betting is exciting and reinforces that we prioritise results for our customers over anything else."

Mississippi is the only southern US state to currently offer legalised sports betting, with no neighbouring states in a position to rival it in the foreseeable future.

The announcement follows last week’s confirmation of Boyd’s new partnership with FanDuel, with the companies agreeing to launch sports betting and online gaming ventures across the US – subject to law and regulatory approval.

Both deals leave Boyd in a strong position ahead of the upcoming NFL season, while IGT's investment in US sports betting also sees no signs of abating.