FanDuel Becomes Major League Baseball's Authorized Gaming Operator

USA's premiere baseball competition, MLB, has continued to broaden the list of their official gaming partners with the signing of a contract with FanDuel Group. The sportsbook operator and fantasy sports provider has lauded this as a landmark deal for the company.

The multi-year partnership will see the operator become Major League Baseball's authorized gaming operator in what is a first move of this kind for the brand.

In-Play Segment to Benefit the Most

MLB has truly taken on the expansion of gambling in the United States...

...in particular, through deals with MGM Resorts late last year and, more recently, with DraftKings, the cause of which is the frenzy of sports betting legalization activity. The alliance with FanDuel is further building up on that.

Under the terms of their deal in particular, FanDuel – a part of Flutter Entertainment conglomerate that also has Paddy Power under its roof - will be gaining exclusive access to official MLB data that will be used to elevate their sports betting offering to the next level. What it will do is enhance the in-play segment of this which, by company's accounts, account for 50% of total business across this whole vertical.

Moreover...

...they will also be permitted to use league and team logos with their betting products and on all of their retail sportsbook properties.

A National Pastime:

Comments MLB's executive vice president of gaming and new business ventures, Kenny Gersh:

“FanDuel has proven itself to be a leader in the sports betting space and has shifted a step ahead again through its commitment to, and recognition of, the value in being an authorised gaming operator

Now having access to our official sports betting data feeds and MLB brands, we’re looking forward to the creative sports betting and fan experience innovations FanDuel will develop.”

FanDuel Group's president and chief operating officer Kip Levin added that fantasy sports and sports betting have, in a very short period of time, become a national pastime, making this joint venture with MLB a natural progression for them.

“MLB clearly understands how working together can be beneficial for baseball fans and both companies alike. Baseball is one of the most popular sports to bet on and partnering with MLB allows us to make the betting experience even better for our customers.

With an enhanced betting experience, sports fans are watching more baseball as they have a stake in the game.”

PA iGaming Launch

Pennsylvania's Valley Forge Casino, whose sportsbook is powered by the daily fantasy sports provider, is due to open their online casino later this month...

...shortly after three land-based venues in this state already did so by ending a round of tests with a success, ushering a new era of gaming in this US state.

MLB's Sportsradar Deal

Swiss-based sports data corporation, Sportsradar is also one of the brands that have signed an exclusive deal with USA's biggest baseball league, becoming their official global data partner.

This partnership has gone into effect on march 20th, when the new MLB season began. The St Gallen-headquartered company will be able to provide MLB's real-time statistics all over the globe.

CEO of Sportsradar, Carsten Koeri, said that this “opens up new doors for MLB fans who have historically shown a proclivity for sophisticated data.”

Source:

“MLB adds FanDuel as authorised gaming operator”, casinobeats.com, August 16, 2019.