The NHL has new multi-year offers with FanDuel and BetMGM that make them the League’s first-ever North American sports activities betting companions, following the launch of regulated single-game sports activities betting in Ontario, Canada.
FanDuel and BetMGM grew to become the NHL’s first official betting companions in 2018, with FanDuel named the League’s unique day by day fantasy associate. That partnership now extends to Canada, the place sports activities wagering was legalized final summer season.
In authorized jurisdictions throughout Canada and the US, they will have the rights to make use of official NHL branding and class designations in wager choices. They’re going to additionally proceed to obtain customized content material throughout NHL-controlled media channels, like FanDuel’s creation of NHL Community’s first-ever Odds Ticker.
“Canada’s new sports betting landscape presents a tremendous opportunity to further fan engagement and continue our progressive approach with the sports gaming industry,” mentioned Keith Wachtel, NHL Chief Enterprise Officer and Senior Government Vice President. “BetMGM and FanDuel were our first sports betting partners in the U.S., and we’re thrilled to expand our partnerships with both of these leaders in the sportsbook and mobile betting marketplace as we begin our transformative entry into this space in Canada and engage our avid Canadian fan base.”
In June 2021, Invoice C-218 eliminated the federal ban on sports activities wagering in Canada. Beforehand, solely horse racing and parlay betting — wagering on a number of video games on the similar time — have been authorized. The invoice allowed for single-game sports activities betting and futures betting, like predicting which crew would finally win a championship.
On April 4, Ontario grew to become the primary province to launch regulating sports activities wagering, as 13 sportsbook apps started taking single sport occasion bets. Estimates are that legalized single-game wagering might generate $800 million within the province this yr, in keeping with the CBC.
Consequently, sportsbooks have began aggressively courting Canadian followers. Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews inked a multi-year deal to advertise Canadian sportsbook Bet99. BetMGM not too long ago added Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid as a model ambassador, becoming a member of Hockey Corridor of Famer Wayne Gretzky in selling that sportsbook.