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PLAINS TWP. — Mohegan Sun Pocono will debut its new sports betting facility to the public this week, with a soft opening set for today and Wednesday under Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board supervision.

“We are ecstatic, and I think the patrons are going to love it,” David Parfrey, the casino’s vice president of marketing, said during a tour of the 1,130-square-foot betting lounge on Monday afternoon.

The partnership with Malta-based Kindred Group brings its Unibet Sportsbook brand to Mohegan Sun Pocono and to Pennsylvania, its second U.S. state after debuting in New Jersey earlier this year. It will create between 12 and 14 new jobs at the casino, officials said.

Mohegan Sun Pocono guests will be able to place bets during the test run, from 4 p.m. to midnight today and again from 2 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday.

“These test nights under Gaming Control Board supervision will allow us to test the software, employee training, our procedures,” Parfrey said.

If all goes as planned, the Gaming Control Board will then give its blessing, and the sportsbook will open permanently on Thursday, with daily hours from 11 a.m. to midnight.

An online sportsbook service will be added at a date yet to be announced.

The lounge, located to the right of the casino’s main entrance near the valet, features seating for 40 or more guests, and includes six sports betting terminals, one racebook betting terminal, two teller booths, a walk-up food and beverage bar with service from Molly O’Sheas, Parfrey said.

But the room’s centerpiece is its 28-foot wide video wall, complete with a ticker at the top showing current scores and upcoming games.

“This is a really slick piece of technology, a really nice viewing experience,” Parfrey said, explaining that the wall can be transformed from two massive TVs into as many as 16 separate screens.

Two rows of soft recliners stretch in front of the video wall, complete with cup holders and charging ports.

“Mohegan Sun has always had some really unique game-watching experiences, whether it’s Center Bar, Breakers, Bar Louie,” Parfrey said, “but this is the mother of all experiences.”

The lounge’s six self-service betting kiosks accept cash — not credit cards — and allow guests to search the sports they want to wager on, even by team name, Parfrey added. Winning slips can be printed for redemption.

While bets will be limited to tennis, baseball and soccer during the Tuesday and Wednesday test runs, full operation will see guests able to wager on a full range of U.S. and international sports including NFL football, college football and basketball, Major League Baseball, NHL hockey, NBA basketball, golf, tennis, CFL football, boxing, UFC, rugby, NASCAR, as well as American and overseas soccer.

“Both the Mohegan Sun team and the Kindred Group are really excited to launch this state-of-the-art sportsbook,” Parfrey said.

Bob Burkett, director of marketing for Mohegan Sun Pocono, talks about the casino’s new sports betting facility, seen here, which is set for a soft opening this afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_SPORTSBOOK1-3.jpg.optimal.jpgBob Burkett, director of marketing for Mohegan Sun Pocono, talks about the casino’s new sports betting facility, seen here, which is set for a soft opening this afternoon. Roger DuPuis | Times Leader
Mohegan Sun Pocono sports betting to debut Tuesday with soft opening

By Roger DuPuis

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