BetMGM is now the first official gaming partner of the Baltimore Ravens. The partnership will involve Ravens-themed crossover promotions on BetMGM's sportsbooks, casinos, and online poker sites. At the Ravens end, BetMGM branding will be appearing in the team's home, the M&T Bank Stadium.
BetMGM is the online gambling partnership between the MGM Group and Entain plc.
The NFL has been historically shy of gambling sponsors. However, a more widespread acceptance of gambling is entering U.S. society. Plus, legalized sports betting is appearing in more and more states (including, as of this week, Maryland). As a result, in April this year, the NFL itself partnered with Caesars Entertainment, FanDuel, and DraftKings. So, we can expect far more teams to take on gaming partners now.
"As the sports betting landscape has continued to evolve in the United States, we have been thoughtful with our strategy and are excited to announce three partners who share the NFL's vision and goals [...] Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel, we will provide fans new and different ways of interacting and engaging with the sport they love." Renie Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of NFLPartnerships, said of the NFL's new partners.
Once the seal broke, the Ravens went into high gear. Legalized sports betting was signed into Maryland law on Tuesday. It took the team less than 24-hours to announce that the Ravens had snagged themselves the lion.
Pride and conspiracy
Kevin Rochlitz, the Ravens Chief Sales Officer, told the press about why the Ravens went with Bet MGM.
"We began the process of carefully identifying sports betting and digital gaming partners. One of our top priorities was finding unique ways for Ravens fans to further engage with the team," Rochlitz said. "We are excited to partner with BetMGM. And look forward to the specialized entertainment experience the company will provide for our fans."
BetMGM will be getting a hospitality suite in the Ravens' stadium. The presser does not clarify if this is just so the MGM execs can shmooze in private. So it may be the case that the suite will be made available to fans through promotional events or as tournament prizes.
The Ravens will also be putting out co-branded social media and "digital media," according to the team's press release.
"The Ravens are an incredible organization with a rich history," Matt Prevost, the Chief Revenue Officer at BetMGM said. "And we're proud to have BetMGM as the team's first official partner in the gaming space."
Last resorts
BetMGM has used the press coverage for the partnership to push its brick-and-mortar site in National Harbor. The MGM National Harbor is located just a few hours away from Baltimore. It is near where Maryland and Virginia meet the borders of Washington D.C.
Jorge Perez is the President and Chief Operating Officer of MGM National Harbor. Perez spoke enthusiastically of the additional local marketing the partnership represented for the MGM brand as a whole.
"BetMGM's partnership with the Baltimore Ravens comes at a pivotal time for MGM National Harbor," Perez said. "As we usher in the era of legalized sports betting in Maryland. We are confident that we will provide Ravens fans [...] new and innovative ways to experience football season."
BetMGM has a hometown team shilling for them now. So the company must be feeling pretty well equipped to hit the new markets in Maryland hard. There are just a few weeks left before the DOJ loses its opportunity to push its Wire Act memo to a further appeal. So, BetMGM may even be able to simply integrate Maryland with its shared player pool when it launches its poker options.
Featured image source: Flickr by Kevin Galens
