Two Oklahoma Tribes and one from California have agreed a partnership deal with NY-based company Vetnos LLC that will see the tribes launch sports-themed betting app PlaySqor.
The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Anadarko-based Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, and The Chicken Ranch Tribe of Me-Wuk Indians of Jamestown will license the app and will be allowed to customize it with their own branding.
According to Vetnos, the app uses “first of its kind Class II sports-themed gaming technology.” The release went on to add:
“PlaySqor targets the casual fan betting on their favorite athletes on a fast, fun fixed-odds betting platform, strategically developed with a bingo engine.”
In a phone call interview with Tulsa World, Valerie Spicer, Chief Gaming Officer at Vetnos said:
“We wanted to give tribes an option, … especially in places where (legalized) sports betting hasn’t been decided”
She also explained that users of the PlaySqor app will be able to wager as little as $1 on player matchups from a variety of sports, including pro and college football, basketball, soccer, hockey, golf and others.
Winning matchups are then placed on a bingo-style card and users can win cash based on rows or patterns of squares they fill much like tic tac toe or regular bingo.
Tribes will earn a percentage or commission with no portion of revenues going to the state.
Vetnos founder and Executive Chairman Joshua Berkowitz added:
“This is an exciting time for our tribal nation partners and Vetnos,” said Vetnos founder and Executive Chairman Joshua Berkowitz in a statement.
We set out to deliver value and opportunity to Indian Country and are committed to deepening our relationships with tribes throughout the country. Our proprietary technology platform and patented games change the landscape for tribal nations looking for a lower-risk entry point into sports gaming in a purely Class II format.”
Eastern Shawnee tribal Treasurer Justin Barrett said of the deal:
“We are not one of the larger tribes, but we are strategic, forward-thinking and progressive. When tribes are able to expand and manage our gaming offerings properly, we can generate more revenue for the betterment of our people and our communities.”
Tribal President Terri Parton of the Anadarko-based Wichita and Affiliated Tribes added:
“For us, it’s important to always be looking for ways to enhance the future of our tribe and our communities. Because it’s Class II, there is no revenue share with the state, so tribal nations will earn more. When tribes earn more, that means more jobs and stronger communities.”
The app will be available on both iOS and Android and will launch at some point in the first quarter of 2023.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.