BetMGM and the National Hockey League have extended their agreement, which will place the gaming company as an official sports betting and gaming partner for years to come. Under the terms of the deal, BetMGM’s brand will appear prominently during nationally televised NHL games.
While this extension will mean more BetMGM branding during Carolina Hurricanes TV broadcasts, it doesn’t signify that BetMGM will gain North Carolina sports betting market access through the NHL or the Hurricanes. Fanatics Sportsbook took that honor earlier this week when it announced a partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The NHL is expected to be a popular choice for sports bettors when North Carolina online sports betting launches in 2024.
BetMGM among official NHL branding partners
The announcement was made by both the league and BetMGM via a press release this morning. The deal extends and expands upon a prior partnership that elevated BetMGM to among the official branding partners of the NHL. BetMGM says the new arrangement will allow them to “create specialized VIP fan experiences.”
“Our partnership extension with the NHL enables us to enhance the BetMGM product and offer fans unforgettable entertainment built around the game they love,” Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM said.
The new deal extension will allow BetMGM to develop and license games in the future using the NHL logos and league marks for casino games within its mobile app and sportsbook website.
What the BetMGM/NHL Partnership Means for North Carolina
North Carolinians will be able to place legal online wagers in the state soon. While a launch date is still forthcoming, we know it will not come before the 2024 Super Bowl on Feb. 11.
With the Carolina Hurricanes based in Raleigh, professional hockey wagering will be of great interest to many sports fans in the state, and in all likelihood online sports betting will be live in time for the NHL playoffs.
North Carolina NHL betting fans will see BetMGM’s brand at Hurricanes games when the team is on a nationally televised broadcast or in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They may also see North Carolina sports betting promos from BetMGM Sportsbook when the market launches as new user welcome offers.
Responsible Gaming a Focus for NHL, BetMGM
As sports betting continues to expand in the U.S., professional sports leagues are cognizant of their responsibility to provide safe experiences for their fans. The NHL has taken steps to ensure responsible gaming education stays at the forefront even among gaming and marketing deals like the one with BetMGM.
BetMGM Sportsbook and the NHL are both members of the American Gaming Association‘s Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ program. That national initiative aims to provide education and resources to sports bettors, making them aware of responsible gaming approaches and the threat of gambling addiction.
The NHL also mentioned its’ partnership with GameSense in the release announcing the BetMGM partnership extension. GameSense is a system that works within the gaming technology platform of the BetMGM app and website, protecting consumers by offering responsible gaming information and safeguards.
Most states, including North Carolina, require GameSense or an equivalent system to protect consumers. GameSense was developed in part by MGM Resorts.
Image Credit: Karl B DeBlaker / AP Images
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