The number of online sports betting sites legally available in Puerto Rico has doubled — to two.
Nevada-based Caesars Entertainment Inc. announced Thursday that its Caesars Sportsbook app is now offering legal sports betting in the Island of Enchantment, making it Puerto Rico's second mobile operator.
Caesars Sportsbook has had a brick-and-mortar presence in Puerto Rico since December 2022 at Casino Metro in San Juan. Now, though, it can take bets from anywhere on the island, although residents need to travel to the casino first to finalize their registration.
“The launch of our mobile sports wagering platform is an excellent complement to the elevated experience we’ve provided customers at MetroBets with Caesars Sportsbook at Casino Metro,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital, in a press release.
The waiting game
Interestingly, Caesars has a policy of restricting sports betting to players who are 21 years of age or older where it can. For Puerto Rico sports betting, the legal wagering age is 18, which is relatively low. That could mean younger bettors may have to wait a few years before they can use the mobile version of Caesars Sportsbook.
It has been a bit of a wait already. Lawmakers in Puerto Rico passed sports betting legislation in 2019, but wagering didn't start until late 2022, and even then, it was only at brick-and-mortar casinos. BetMGM became the first mobile sportsbook to take action on the island in June via its partnership with Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort.
"BetMGM is ecstatic to become the first operator to deliver mobile sports betting to Puerto Rico," CEO Adam Greenblatt said in a press release. "This great collaboration between local officials and Casino del Mar provides a safe, responsible and entertaining product accessible from anywhere on the island."
