NHL announces sports betting partnership with MGM
The NHL announced on Monday a multi-year gaming partnership with MGM Resorts International to become the league's first official gaming and resort destination partner.
The agreement grants MGM access to the NHL's intellectual property, including league and team logos, and proprietary gaming data.
"The new sports betting landscape presents a unique opportunity for fan engagement utilizing technology and data that are exclusive to our league," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
"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."
Monday's announcement only became possible after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law in May that banned sports betting.
The NBA also reached a similar partnership with MGM in July.
"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," MGM chairman and CEO Jim Murren said in a statement.
#NHLPA will share 50% of revenue generated from this partnership with MGM Resorts. To be clear: this is fixed revenue, #NHL is not getting a cut of the book itself.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 29, 2018
Speaking Monday, Bettman left open the possibility of future partnerships, as he noted the agreement with MGM is not exclusive, according to Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas.
Bettman downplayed the likelihood that opening the door to sports betting could have a negative impact on the league's players.
"I've never worried and don't worry about the integrity of our game," Bettman said. "It has been strong even when the majority of gambling was not through legal sportsbooks."
Earlier this month, the New Jersey Devils announced an independent partnership with William Hill US, which in part will place a sports betting lounge inside the Prudential Center, the Devils' home arena. In September, the Vegas Golden Knights became the first NHL club to announce a betting partnership in an agreement with William Hill US.