By ALAN SNEL
LVSportsBiz.com
Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International made another splash in the sports gambling arena by cutting a deal with the National Hockey League to become the league’s official sports betting partner.
Under the multi-year agreement, MGM Resorts can market many of its hotel-casinos to NHL fans and use NHL branding in its land-based and digital sports betting offerings within the U.S.
The addition of the Vegas Golden Knights to the 31-team league and the U.S. Supreme Court decision in May to remove barriers and allow states outside Nevada to enact sports gambling legislation and regulations were likely factors that created the climate for his MGM Resorts-NHL deal.
The MGM Resorts-NHL sports gambling deal comes only three months after the MGM and the NBA announced a sports gambling deal that made MGM the NBA’s official sports gambling partner.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and MGM Resorts Chairman/CEO Jim Murren made the deal announcement in New York Monday morning.
In a press release, Murren offered this statement: “We couldn’t be more excited to enter into this historic partnership with the NHL. 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.”
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Bettman was quoted in the press release: “The new sports betting landscape presents a unique opportunity for fan engagement utilizing technology and data that are exclusive to our League.
“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.”
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