FanDuel has launched a standalone casino app in Pennsylvania.
Flutter Entertainment’s FanDuel Group has announced the launch of a standalone casino app for Pennsylvania customers.
This news comes after DraftKings announced the launch of its standalone casino app in the state of New Jersey, earlier this week.
The FanDuel casino app
While FanDuel already offered online casino games, these games could only be accessed via the operator’s sports betting app. This marks the first time the operator has launched a standalone casino product.
Casino games will still be available via the sportsbook app and customers will able to use their existing accounts to play on the new casino app.
FanDuel’s general manager for casino Jesse Chemtob said: “Pennsylvania is a really exciting state for us as it represents the first state where we’ve introduced FanDuel Casino alongside our FanDuel Sportsbook product.
“We’ve seen great engagement and interest with our FanDuel Casino product amongst our sportsbook customers to date and we view this product evolution as a natural next step to provide a full-service gaming experience to our Pennsylvania customers.”
Pennsylvania casinos to reopen
FanDuel’s licencing partner for Pennsylvania, Valley Forge Casino, announced it will reopen its doors on 26 June. The venue has been closed since 17 March when all the casinos in the state were ordered to temporarily close.
Valley Forge vice president and general manager David Zerfing said: “In Valley Forge, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our guests, team members and the community through ‘Boyd Clean,’ a set of comprehensive health and safety protocols that fully meet the highest standards set forth by local, state and federal health officials.”
At Valley Forge, all employees will be required to undergo temperature checks and wear facemasks. Staff will also receive training on the latest safety measures.
Earlier this month several of the state’s land-based casinos began to reopen after closing their doors in March to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Meadows Racetrack and Casino and Rivers Casino were among the first venues to reopen in mid-June.
Land-based casinos in Pennsylvania that are based in areas that are in the “green phase” of easing restrictions can reopen but must operate at 50% capacity. Casinos in the state must employ the use of strict cleaning procedures.
Social distancing must also be encouraged by installing plexiglass barriers between slot machines, spacing out customers at table games and by using floor markings.
Poker rooms must remain closed for the foreseeable future due to the amount of contact between players and their cards and chips. However, sportsbooks can reopen if they are configured in a way that promotes social distancing and hygiene measures implemented effectively.
