White Hat Gaming Enters USA iGaming After Adding Blueprint Partner

One of the most renowned online casino platforms in iGaming has just announced its move into the US iGaming market.

Via a deal with BetMGM, White Hat Studios will now supply the US brand with slots, jackpot games, and RNG tables. The studio is a subsidiary of White Hat Gaming, which entered the US market August last year.

It’s an amicable move focused on the future and here’s why. Since the US market is growing, with 6 states already allowing online casinos, 7 states operating online poker sites, and 20+ states that offer legal online sports betting.

And although the initial deal will go through BetMGM, as we have seen with so many other software providers entering the US, White Hat Studios is sure to expand with more partnership deals in the US. In all likelihood, the initial expansion will come forth under the current Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) licence, but there is also an opportunity to go nationwide.

For iGaming, Michigan is one of the key states with a population of 10 million+.

Other casinos in the state include BetRivers Casino, BetMGM Casino, PokerStars Casino, William Hill Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, and more big names, so there’s plenty of scope to grow no the company has its ‘foot in the door’ so to speak. Not to mention Light & Wonder (Scientific Games), is a tech partner supplying these casinos with their delivery platforms.

There is also the potential for White Hat Gaming to expand into other US iGaming markets BetMGM currently operates. Namely, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia. In the same order, these states have populations of 13 million+, 9 million+, and 3 million+. And if we add Michigan into the mix, that’s brand exposure for White Hat Studio casino games to over 35 million US citizens.

Adding to all these potential gateways for expansion, there is already an open door into New Jersey. This could be via ‘GVC’, which is the BetMGM tech partner. As well as BetMGM NJ, GVC also has tech partnerships with New Jersey brands Betfair Casino, Borgata Casino and Party Casino. As a result, GVC could potentially offer White Hat Gaming a path into the Garden State’s iGaming scene with very little effort.

Hints of further US expansion: In the official White Hat Studios announcement, CEO Mr Andy Whitworth said: “We’re delighted to see our products go live in the US, starting with BetMGM in the great state of Michigan”. The operative word here is ‘starting with’ so we can expect future growth.

White Hat Studio Games & Brands—Recent Blueprint Gaming Addition

The White Hat Studios platform consolidates casino games from Blueprint, Merkur, Lucksome, and RTG (Real Time Gaming). These software providers use the White Hat Studios software provider to increase game exposure. Where each brand does not have software deals with certain platforms, White Hat Studios bridges the gap.

Recently, White Hat Studios extended the number of casino game studio developer brands from 3 to 4 with the inclusion of Blueprint Gaming’s portfolio. This brings with it the huge ‘Jackpot King’ progressive jackpot network. In the White Hat Gaming news announcement (accessible via the highlighted box above), the Ted online slot was mentioned, which is part of the Blueprint’s Jackpot King network. Consequently, it would be reasonable to assume the same jackpot network will be available to BetMGM members in Michigan.

For the time being, the Ted video slot is available at the BetMGM Michigan online casino (casino.mi.betmgm.com), but I did not see it available in the jackpot section as of yet. Also, the White Hat report mentions the Deal or No Deal collection, to which Blueprint offers 7 titles, but I assume this is still to be added to BetMGM.

White Hat Gaming Casinos: For an example of an online casino using the White Hat Gaming and the White Hat Studios gaming software provider system, check out the 21 Casino review here.

The US iGaming Market Continues to Grow But Does it Need More Games?

In the US, the video slots and table games at legal online casinos are not as vast as European online casinos. Often casinos host around 150 to 250 video slots and a few virtual table games. However, BetMGM is now closing in on 700+ video slots which is huge in comparison to many of the other casinos even in other states. It just goes to show the industry here is growing!

On the live casino, the scene is also still growing and is not close to matching Europe and the rest of the world at this time. In New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania Evolution has a live dealer studio in each state, while Playtech also has live dealer studios in New Jersey and Michigan. The Evolution Pennsylvania studio additionally supplies the West Virginia iGaming market.

Although game diversity in the US is low, the current setup is better than in previous times in which there were no online casinos whatsoever in the US.

Other Brands in the US: Pragmatic Play slots, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Inspired Games, Ainsworth, IGT, High 5 Games, 888 Gaming, Reel Play, Light & Wonder, Raxor Gaming, WMS, Everi, and Playtech. Also, check out the latest news of Wazdan entering the Michigan iGaming market here.