BetMGM inks Cincinnati Reds partnership ahead of Ohio market launch
Plans include retail sportsbook at Great American Ball Park as operator strengthens baseball footprint
BetMGM has clinched a multi-year sportsbook partnership with Ohio Major League Baseball side the Cincinnati Reds.
The agreement will see the online operator become the official sports betting partner of the Reds, who play their home games at the Great American Ball Park.
It will also involve the creation of a retail sportsbook at the stadium, located on the site of the Machine Room restaurant on the northeastern side, and will only be accessible from outside ticketed areas via the arena plaza level entrance.
In addition to the retail assets, BetMGM signage will feature prominently at the park, inclusive of a permanent outfield wall sign, messaging behind home plate, and a branded foul line during selected games.
It is understood that BetMGM will have its own suite and club seats at the stadium, amid plans to create VIP experiences as a way to entice bettors to the soon-to-be launched retail sportsbook.
This marks BetMGM’s second sportsbook at an MLB stadium after BetMGM Sportsbook at Nationals Park in Washington DC, which opened in January 2022.
The agreement comes ahead of the slated launch of sports betting in Ohio on January 1, 2023, with BetMGM one of the headline brands receiving provisional approval from the Ohio Casino Control Commission in September.
The impending launch was highlighted by BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt in his remarks about the partnership.
“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of our plans to create the most entertaining and dynamic sports betting experiences in Ohio,” Greenblatt said.
“Through our relationships with the Reds and MGM Northfield Park, we look forward to bringing unique BetMGM content to Ohio’s passionate sports fans,” he added.
Cincinnati Reds fans will be signposted to the BetMGM sportsbook app once the online market launches.
Alluding to the process of selecting a partner, Cincinnati Reds CFO Doug Healy said: “With sports gaming coming to Ohio, the Reds sought to bring the highest quality operator to our ballpark for those fans who choose to participate in sports gaming.
“BetMGM is renowned for their expertise in entertainment and sports gaming, and we believe their brand best fits our high customer standards and will also help draw visitors to our city,” he added.