FanDuel Teams Up With The NHL, NJ Devils For NJ Sports Betting
Closely following on the heels of the official partnership between the NHL and MGM Resorts that was announced Oct. 29, the NHL teamed up with FanDuel.
On Monday, Nov. 5, at a press conference in New York, FanDuel and the NHL announced a new partnership. FanDuel will become the official daily fantasy sports and sports betting partner of the NHL. In a separate deal, FanDuel also teamed up with the New Jersey Devils.
What the FanDuel NJ sports betting deals mean
FanDuel-NHL partnership
FanDuel will now be able to offer its customers exclusive NHL content and prizes. Imagine this: You could be the lucky winner of a VIP experience at the NHL Winter Classic or NHL All-Star Game.
In fact, FanDuel will soon announce a brand new “Skate to the NHL Winter Classic” contest, which eligible customers can enter daily. What’s at stake is clearly worth playing for. It’s a VIP trip to Notre Dame Stadium for the New Year’s Day 2019 NHL Winter Classic where the Chicago Blackhawks will face the Boston Bruins.
FanDuel-New Jersey Devils partnership
Fans attending New Jersey Devils home games will see the FanDuel logo prominently affixed to the ice. This will give the brand even more exposure and undoubtedly attract more hockey bettors to the site. Fans at the Devils home games will also be able to get messages from FanDuel and have access to the FanDuel betting app.
The NJ Devils will also promote the FanDuel brand on social media and other digital platforms.
The NHL and sports betting
At one time all of the major sports leagues — including the NHL — were vehemently opposed to legal NJ sports betting. However, now that the U.S. Supreme Court sided with New Jersey and it is clear that legal sports betting is here to stay, some of its most outspoken former opponents have re-evaluated their position.
In fact, the NHL has had a complete reversal of opinion. Instead of disapproving of sports betting, it is actively embracing it. At the recent press conference in NYC, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman explained why:
“Our approach to sports betting is to continue to be progressive as we work directly with the industry and focus on innovative opportunities for fan engagement. Teaming up with an industry leader like FanDuel furthers our strategy of aligning with leading brands that share our vision of using new platforms and technology to drive innovation and engage and excite hockey fans.”
Quite a switch from a man who stated in September 2016 that “professional hockey games don’t lend themselves to gambling.”
FanDuel Sportsbook excited about the connections
FanDuel is likewise very excited about its partnership with both the NHL and the New Jersey Devils. At the recent press conference, FanDuel Group CEO Matt King had this to say:
“Joining forces with the National Hockey League was the perfect next step for us as both our sports betting and fantasy sports businesses continue to grow. The league’s clear vision for these categories and this partnership marks an exciting time for both organizations.”
FanDuel COO Kip Levin was no less enthusiastic when offering his comments about what the newly formed association with the New Jersey Devils would mean:
“We will continue to be at the forefront of the action for hockey fans, whether they’re watching sports from a seat in the arena or at home on TV. Our partnership with the New Jersey Devils allows us to be on the ice during the action and in-game messaging is the perfect way to reach hockey fans during the games.”
FanDuel taking the reigns of NJ sports betting
There is no denying that so far, in the span of just a few months, legal sports betting in New Jersey has proven to be even more of a success than anticipated.
So it actually makes sense that now, instead of continuing to fight the inevitable, the NHL and other major sports leagues are not only supporting the sports betting industry but becoming active participants.
Of course, NJ Gambling Websites remains committed to reporting on all of the latest developments of interest to NJ players with regard to online gambling and sports betting.
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