NBA deals: The Stars Group, Supermatch, and FDJ make NBA agreements.
The Canadian corporation that owns PokerStars, The Stars Group, as well as the Uruguayan national lottery operator Supermatch, have penned sports betting collaborations with the NBA (National Basketball Association). PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker are part of this billion-dollar conglomerate, alongside Sky Bet.
The Stars Group has been named the official sports betting partner of the world's biggest basketball league, NBA. This allows them to commercialize the official data and all logos and trademarks of the league through their BetStars platform. In turn, the Stars brands will be promoted on the league's official webpage, apps, and social media channels. They'll also be featured on the league's own TV channel. This is The Stars Group's first deal with a US professional sports league since the abolition of PASPA. Scott Kaufman-Ross, Head of Gaming at the NBA, expressed excitement for the multi-million-dollar partnership, stating:
"The Stars Group is a leading global online gaming firm. We're thrilled to be the first US sporting league to join forces with them. This partnership will allow us to create authentic fan interaction through NBA betting data. The Stars will leverage their worldwide expertise to craft an exceptional fan experience."
The primary focus isn't solely on sales - both parties aim to collaborate on areas such as game protection and social responsibility, ultimately implementing responsible gaming measures.
Initially, the focus will be on the New Jersey market, where The Stars Group has already introduced the BetStars betting platform. Expansion plans in Pennsylvania are underway, with the Stars Group partnering with Mount Airy Casino Resort and holding a market access deal with Eldorado Resorts. Potentially, this could extend to up to eleven other US states.
Progress in South America
The Stars Group's partnership with the NBA corresponds to their second gaming arrangement in a short time frame - earlier in the week, they forged a partnership with the Uruguayan sports betting operator and national lottery supervisor, Supermatch. The aim is to enhance their presence in the South American market. NBA spokesman Arnon de Mello revealed this plan, referring to Supermatch's monopoly status in sports betting within Uruguay:
"Supermatch is the exclusive licensed operator in Uruguay. Our new alliance allows our enthusiastic fans to experience more interaction with sports betting and our game."
NBA sports betting merchandise will be distributed in more than 6,000 Supermatch betting shops in the future. Plus, both companies will be permitted to utilize all official NBA data and branding. Both parties are also committed to preserving the integrity of the NBA and player protection. Roberto Palermo, President of La Banca, the national lottery of Uruguay, further noted:
"With this new partnership, our customers will be able to delight in our freshened-up gaming offers and get close to the action on the court, as well as have the opportunity to win NBA prizes and exceptional NBA experiences."
The association is seen as unconventional, given Uruguay's negligible historical connections to the NBA, which has a population of about 3.3 million. Only one Uruguayan, Esteban Batista, who played for the Atlanta Hawks from 2005 to 2007, has ever played in the NBA.
Besides the USA, the NBA finalized a deal with the French provider La Francaise des Jeux in early November - the first sports betting agreement between the NBA and a European operator since the PASPA repeal. The corporation will now market all game data under its ParionsSport brand. FDJ maintains 27,000 betting shops in France and offers a comprehensive online gaming platform. Vandana Balachandar, Vice President of NBA-Europe, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, asserting:
"We're ecstatic about our union with Française des Jeux, the sports betting market leader in France. This partnership will create the best possible gaming and entertainment experience while ensuring the safeguarding of our games' integrity. Basketball is among the world's most popular sports."
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