Caribbean iSports Stands

Published: Friday, March 16, 2007 Online-Casinos.com

CARIBBEAN iSPORTS STANDS

iSports Stands act as a standalone sportsbook to boost business

The iSports Stand will soon be introduced to Dutch Caribbean casinos, including St. Maarten.

ISI Maritime/Islands (ISI) new sports betting kiosks act as a stand-alone sports book and provide the same service as a casino sports book. The kiosk services include placing sports bets, can be open virtually 24 hours a day and bettors receive a faster, more convenient method to place sports bets remotely.

The announcement follows the successful launch of 12 of the new iSports Stands on the gaming floors of five casinos in Curacao and Aruba.

The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino was one of the first to offer the sleek iSports Stand kiosks, which began accepting bets on February 3, just in time for Super Bowl XLI.

"We are pleased to offer our guests a convenient, easy way to place a sports bet" said Brian Stedeford, general manager of the Stellaris Casino. "The iSports Stands were a huge hit with our customers during Super Bowl weekend. Offering sports betting before and during the game drew people to the Stellaris and kept them here, which enhanced our business in other areas of property like the restaurants, lounges and other casino games."

In Curacao, the Casino Awasa in the Otrobanda Hotel was one of the first to offer the iSports Stand.

"We have already seen a large increase in business as a result of the iSports Stand" said Martin Eustatia, manager of the Otrobanda Hotel. "I have had a lot of requests for sports betting over the years and have always had to send people somewhere else to make their bets. Now the Otrobanda is able to offer this service, without remodeling or hiring additional employees."

The iSports Stands are also in operation at the Curacao Casino in the Hilton Curacao and will soon be offered at additional properties on the island. The iSports Stands at the Alhambra Casino and the Casablanca Casino in the Westin Aruba Resort are expected to be fully operational in time for the NCAA's March Madness tournament. ISI is expected to have 12 iSports Stands operating in the Dutch Caribbean by the second quarter of 2007.

ISI spokesmen say the kiosk is similar to using an ATM at a bank instead of dealing with a teller. In addition, the iSports Stand allows bettors to check weather during events, obtain advice from a professional sports handicapper, book show tickets and make golf reservations. In the near future, horse racing is expected to be offered through the kiosks.

ISI co-developed the iSports Stand with AWI Manufacturing. Both corporations are headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

When touched, the screen changes to a Web-based application allowing the bettor to obtain an advertiser-generated coupon for a service such as a limo ride, a free beverage or a free handicapper pick of a football game.