The week in launches and sponsorships (September 25, 2020)
All the latest news in US betting sponsorships and state launches, including William Hill entering Michigan and Playtech partnering with BetMGM
EGR NA has decided to consolidate weekly news into one single report as the market becomes inundated with operators and suppliers launching products in new states.
This bi-weekly update will also include some of the latest sponsorship deals to be secured by operators as they ramp up marketing spend on the return of professional sports.
DraftKings partners with MLB’s Colorado Rockies
DraftKings has further increased its sports marketing efforts by partnering with the MLB’s Colorado Rockies.
DraftKings will gain exclusive in-stadium branding rights and a license to utilize the Rockies’ trademarks and logos as the two parties collaborate on a digital content series featuring players from the team.
Rockies VP of corporate partnerships Walker Monfort said: “Expanding on our current deal for daily fantasy sports will only enhance what we’ve built with DraftKings up to this point.
“Tying our brand to an early industry leader in the new frontier of legalized sports betting will be a great new endeavor for both parties.”
Elsewhere, DraftKings has officially opened its DraftKings Sportsbook at Twin River’s Mardi Gras Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado.
Playtech seals BetMGM casino content deal
Playtech has signed BetMGM’s Roar Digital as the latest operator to offer its online casino content in the US.
As part of the deal, Roar brands BetMGM Casino, Borgata Online and PartyCasino NJ will all feature Playtech casino games in New Jersey.
Matthew Sunderland, BetMGM VP of gaming, said: “Our online casino customers in New Jersey will now be able to enjoy casino games from one of the world’s leading suppliers of gambling software.
“This launch continues to build on our current leadership position in gaming in New Jersey and we look forward to continue collaborating with Playtech as more states in the US legalize online casino gaming,” Sunderland added.
Playtech COO Shimon Akad said: “This is the exciting first step in our partnership which will see us launch in further states with BetMGM across its industry leading portfolio of brands as it expands on its US leadership.
This strategic deal demonstrates the strength of Playtech’s US proposition and the appeal of our gaming offering in the region as we continue to launch our pipeline of new US licensees,” he said.
Playtech’s first casino content partner in the US was bet365 back in August after receiving its long-awaited New Jersey license in July.
PointsBet to sponsor NFL’s Indianapolis Colts
PointsBet has secured a sponsorship agreement with NFL team the Indianapolis Colts as it expands its brand awareness in the US.
The deal gives the operator full usage of Indianapolis Colts’ IP, marks and logos, sponsorship opportunities and brand visibility across its digital assets.
PointsBet will become a presenting sponsor of the official Colts podcast and will gain access to mobile app push notifications for Colts regular season games prior to kick-off.
“PointsBet is the only sportsbook to have partnerships in place with both the Pacers and now the Colts, and we’re extremely proud of that,” PointsBet US CEO Johnny Aitken said.
“Indiana is a fantastic sports state and one that we’ve prioritized – we look forward to continuing to serve Indiana sports bettors this season, now alongside great partners in the Indianapolis Colts, on a personalized platform with unrivaled speed and ease of use,” he added.
William Hill opens Michigan sportsbook venue
William Hill, in partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB), opened its first Michigan sportsbook at Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel.
A second satellite location was opened at Leelanau Sands Casino on the West shore of Grand Traverse Bay.
The Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel venue, dubbed The Onyx Sports Book, features two ticket windows and two kiosks adjacent to the casino floor.
It also offers 20 HD TVs, complimentary games, food and beverages and an outdoor patio.
“This is just the beginning of our partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, with plans to launch mobile sports betting and iCasino gaming throughout Michigan as soon as permitted,” William Hill VP of strategy and business development Dan Shapiro said.
“This is an exciting way to start the NFL season, and we know the Onyx Sports Book by William Hill will be the new game-day location for sports fans in Northern Michigan,” he added.
William Hill is now live in 13 states with sports betting.