MGM and NHL sign sports betting partnership
The NHL has named MGM Resorts the first official sports betting partner of the league.
US.- The National Hockey League (NHL) and MGM Resorts have announced that they signed an organisation-wide marketing deal. The announcement was made on Monday by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, joined by MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren.
“The new sports betting landscape presents a unique opportunity for fan engagement utilizing technology and data that are exclusive to our League,” Commissioner Bettman said. “As a leading global gaming operator and entertainment company, MGM Resorts is the perfect partner for us to begin our transformative entry into this space. Fan engagement, technological advancement and innovation are paramount to our progressive approach and will be at the forefront of everything we do.”
MGM Resorts, which is also an official resorts partner of the NHL, will have the ability to market many of its products and services to the NHL’s millions of fans via its various media platforms and events. MGM Resorts will also use official NHL branding in its land-based and digital sports betting offerings within the United States. Moreover, as part of the relationship, MGM Resorts will have access to enhanced NHL proprietary game data that will be generated by the League’s state-of-the-art tracking systems currently under development.
“We couldn’t be more excited to enter into this historic partnership with the NHL,” said Murren. “The League is home to some of the most exciting action in sports, and we are thrilled to join with them to create new immersive and exhilarating experiences for hockey fans. Combining MGM Resorts’ world-class sports betting operations and technology with the NHL’s top-level competition, iconic brands and cutting-edge data will further transform the rapidly growing sports betting marketplace and solidify our position at the forefront of the industry.”
“Sports betting agreements through contracts enhance the fan and consumer experience,” said Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs for the American Gaming Association. “The NHL’s announcement today further strengthens the bond between sports entities and gaming companies, who are each committed to preserving the integrity of the game. As legal sports betting expands, we are encouraged by the growing relationship between gaming companies and the major sports leagues.”