A minority investment in Boom Entertainment could be a win-win for Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and Louisiana gambling.
Online casino and sports betting operator RSI announced its investment in the game developer and technology provider on August 11.
In addition, the two companies entered into a comprehensive commercial agreement. According to a statement about the deal:
“Boom will integrate its remote gaming server and license online casino and sports betting games for RSI to make available to its real money and social casino players via RSI’s proprietary online gaming platform.”
Details of Rush Street-Boom Entertainment deal
Under the deal, RSI gains access to three additional gaming markets — Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico — subject to state laws, licensing and regulatory approvals. For at least a year, RSI will also have exclusive rights to some custom games developed by Boom.
According to Richard Schwartz, president of RSI, the two companies share a focus on “technological excellence and innovation.” He spoke favorably of Boom’s “vision, experience, and passion” and praised their “proven ability to design games that retain players through simple, yet creative, game mechanics.”
In return, Boom co-founder and CEO Stephen A. Murphy lauded RSI as “an industry leader, who understands and appreciates the importance of high-quality game design.”
Boom and RSI previously worked together when Boom’s management team held leadership positions with High 5 Games, Schwartz noted.
Rush Street, Boom Entertainment join forces
Veterans of the gaming industry founded Rush Street Interactive in 2012. Now RSI offers gaming under its BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse brands. Awards have included 2020 Global Gaming Awards Digital Operator of the Year and 2020 EGR North America Awards Casino Operator of the Year and Customer Service Operator of the Year.
Using its proprietary platform, RSI provided the first legal online sportsbooks in four states. The company also operates real-money mobile, online and retail casino services in 10 US states and internationally.
Founded in 2015, New York-based Boom Entertainment has game development partnerships with NBC Sports, MSG Network, and Golf. Its apps include “NBC Sports Predictor,” the initial offering of its free-to-play sports gaming apps.
Sports betting is (almost) on for Louisiana gambling
The Pelican State ranks as the fifth-largest gaming market in the country and has 55 parishes eligible to offer sports betting online. Rush Street plans to launch its mobile sports betting operations during the new football season, giving Louisiana gamers another sports betting option as soon as mid-September.
Sports betting was legalized in Louisiana in June 2021, but implementation stalled due to the lack of a state Gaming Control Board chair.
Former Lake Charles Sen. Ronnie Johns took over the position on July 23. With unanimous approval by the Board in August, emergency temporary regulations allow sports betting to move forward. With any luck, fans may see it place before the first quarter of the Saints season is complete.
