DraftKings Becomes NBA's Authorized Sports Betting Operator

DraftKings, operator of sportsbooks and fantasy sports, has announced the completion of a landmark deal with National Basketball Association (NBA) according to which they will become the authorized sports betting operator of the world’s most competitive basketball league.

According to the minutiae of the multi-year deal…

…DraftKings will gain access to NBA’s official data and league branding that they will display on their mobile app and retail sportsbooks.

NBA’s Foresight and Fan Engagement

Back in October, William Hill reached a similar agreement with the NBA, making DraftKings the second official sports betting partner of this professional league.

Senior Vice President, Head of Fantasy and Gaming at NBA, Scott Kaufman-Ross, said of this agreement:

“We are excited to team with DraftKings, which has established itself as one of the leaders in the sports betting landscape in the US and has a ionate NBA following. Our partnership will provide our fans with an authentic and enhanced gaming experience and help us further protect the integrity of our games.”

DraftKings’ Chief Business Officer, Ezra Kucharz, commended NBA’s attitude towards sports betting. He said that this will greatly enhance the engagement with the customers, which is a number one priority in this business.

He went on to add that NBA matches are some of “the most captivating, dramatic and widely-consumed sports products globally.” The fact that the league approves sports betting is a proof of its consistent foresight to innovate for the betterment of fan experience.

“The correlation between sports betting and fan engagement is proven, and we look forward to the opportunities that being an authorized gaming operator of the NBA will unlock for consumers.”

NBA is the most popular sports league for live betting, according to DraftKings…

…70% of bettors have placed at least one in-play wager. 45% of operator’s NBA handle stems from these bets.

NBA’s Partnership With Tabcorp

National Basketball League has been very active forming partnership and g cooperation deals since sports betting legalization swept across the USA. In late October, they ed forces with Australia’s Tabcorp, the biggest provider of lottery, keno and other wagering products in this country.

Tabcorp will be NBA’s official sports betting partner in Australia and will use their logos and other branding visuals for their platform.

NBA is a Go at Golden Nugget Atlantic City

New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, approved the betting on NBA games in Atlantic City’s Golden Nugget…

…which should improve overall sports betting figures in this facility that were faltering.

Says Steve Scheinthal, GN’s parent company’s general counsel:

“We’re grateful and appreciative that people eventually realized this was an overreaction. It allows us to compete. It was like going into a boxing ring with one arm tied behind your back. You just can’t compete that way. It gave everyone a year’s head start on us.”

Source:

“DraftKings seals NBA partnership”, igbnorthamerica.com, November 4, 2019.