Kambi Strengthens US Tribal Market Presence with Mobile Sports Betting Expansion

The landscape of North American sports betting continues to evolve as technological flexibility determines the success of local operators. Kambi Group plc has announced a significant expansion of its existing partnership with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation. This cooperation involves the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota, and marks a turning point for the local gaming offering. Following the successful launch of the on-property sportsbook in March, the next logical step toward digitalization has been taken.

Through the implementation of Kambi's proprietary player account management (PAM) solution, the casino will now be able to offer reservation-wide mobile sports betting for the first time. This is a decisive step forward for a tribal operator that has previously relied primarily on physical on-site business. The technology behind this is highly complex, as it must manage all processes from player onboarding and identity verification to payment processing. Kambi is thus underlining its claim to be the partner of choice for tribes across North America seeking a seamless connection between online and offline experiences.

Numbers and facts

What makes this deal particularly interesting is the technological background. It represents Kambi's first commercial PAM partnership since acquiring the PAM source code in November 2025. The company can now offer a turnkey solution that includes both the sportsbook frontend and the account management backend. Werner Becher, CEO of the Kambi Group, sees this expansion as a confirmation of the current strategy and aims to give partners more control over the entire player lifecycle.

"We are pleased to expand our partnership with the MHA Nation and 4 Bears Casino & Lodge following the launch of their on-property sportsbook earlier this year. The addition of Kambi’s PAM solution will support the next phase of their sports betting journey, enabling an engaging reservation-wide mobile experience while giving the operator greater control across the player lifecycle." - Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi Group plc

Patrick Packineau, General Manager of 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, emphasized that Kambi have already proven to be an excellent partner. The integration of the PAM software creates the technological foundation for long-term growth in the sports betting sector. This allows the casino to provide its guests with an account-based experience that extends beyond the walls of the physical building, which represents a massive competitive advantage in the vast areas of North Dakota.

Background

The history of tribal gaming in the United States is marked by a constant struggle for sovereignty and economic independence. Since the landmark Cabazon Supreme Court ruling over 35 years ago, tribes have transformed from operators of small bingo halls into powerful players in the global gaming industry. Revenue from these casinos flows directly into social projects, hospitals, and education on the reservations. In North Dakota, competition is fierce, which is why the MHA Nation relies on modern technology to remain competitive. Mobile betting was a legal gray area for a long time or limited to state providers. The expansion to the entire reservation of 4 Bears Casino shows how important legal coverage in tribal compacts has become. Many of these agreements were modernized in 2021 and 2022 to enable online services. Kambi is perfectly exploiting this niche by providing a turnkey solution that requires no additional third-party software.

Why it matters for German players

For German players accustomed to the strict rules of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021, the freedoms in the US often seem enticing, but similarities in technology are increasing. The PAM solution Kambi is deploying in North Dakota must perform functions such as identity verification and secure payments. In Germany, this is regulated even more strictly by the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL). Anyone betting here must be registered in the LUGAS system, which monitors the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers. The 1 euro per spin limit for slots or the strict separation of sports betting and casino games on one website are hurdles that American tribal casinos do not face in this form. Nevertheless, the 4 Bears case shows that the global trend is toward centralized account management that combines transparency and player protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German bookmakers and online casinos with a GGL license can learn from such international developments. The ability to provide a seamless mobile experience is no longer a bonus today, but a basic requirement. In Germany, operators on the GGL whitelist are under constant observation. While Kambi acts as a full-service provider in the US, operators in Germany must ensure that their PAM solutions are fully compatible with the German databases Oasis and Lugas. Violations here quickly lead to the withdrawal of the license. Therefore, technological reliability, as advertised by Kambi, is also a quality feature for the local market. Those who play legally in Germany enjoy the highest standard of protection but must live with restrictions on flexibility that players in North Dakota are now gaining through the new mobile freedom.