BetMGM Forges Alliance With Pittsburgh Pirates

Article ByStan Fox

July 20, 2021

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Posted in: Pennsylvania Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

BetMGM and the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday a new partnership, essentially making the digital sportsbook a sponsor of the professional baseball team.

The partnership includes BetMGM branding throughout PNC Park, making MGM Resorts International’s digital arm the first option for Pittsburg sports fans. The engagement will also include fan-focused promotions, social media content, besides other features.

David Burke, Pirates Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development said the Major League Baseball (MLB) team is proud to announce the partnership with BetMGM:

“We are incredibly excited to partner with such an esteemed and innovated brand, which allows us the opportunity to offer a one-of-its-kind platform for our fans to engage with Pirates baseball like never before.”

Key Details

Under the deal, BetMGM content will be integrated across the league’s digital and social platforms, and the sportsbook’s signage will be prominently featured at PNC Park – the fifth home of the Pirates located on the North Shore of the city. BetMGM signage will also be featured at the left-field wall and behind home plate.

BetMGM’s Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost said the company has seen tremendous success in the Keystone State since launching Dec. 2020. He said the priority is now to grow the digital operator’s presence across the state through its partner, adding that BetMGM looks forward to providing Pittsburgh’s lively sports fans unique promotions and benefits that he said are only available on BetMGM. The news release said that some of those promotions could involve physical elements at the park.

The promotions could be more focused on the MLB team’s digital properties like social media accounts and the team’s website, meaning the visitors to those digital spaces will be seeing ads for BetMGM.

No Retail Betting at the Stadium

However, it must be mentioned that the BetMGM-Pirates deal does not involve any sort of retail betting at PNC Park. Sports fans and bettors won’t find any BetMGM betting kiosks anywhere in the stadium.

Also, the deal does not include any plans for a branded betting lounge either. However, eligible betters can conveniently place wagers on their smartphones while at the venue.

The deal allows BetMGM premium placement for two of Pittsburgh’s most significant sports venues, meaning the brand should be visible to Pittsburgh residents almost every day of the year. This is particularly important for an operator with no retail presence in the Keystone State.

BetMGM Pervades Pittsburgh Market

BetMGM – a joint venture of MGM Resorts International and UK-based Entain – gains a leading position in Pittsburgh, thanks to the latest deal with Pirates. Last November, the digital company announced an important deal that made it the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first gaming partner.

The city is the battleground between BetMGM and BetRivers Sportsbook, with each claiming a market share at the expense of the other.

BetRivers, which partnered with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has a lounge at PPG Paints Arena.

The lack of a retail book and the betting lounge in BetMGM’s case is compensated by its complementary partnerships – with Steelers and Pirates – to give a tough time to BetRivers in the Keystone State.

BetMGM and BetRivers ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in terms of handle in May, with BetMGM topping its rival by almost $8 million that month.

Although the Pirates are the weakest in their division this season, Pittsburgh fans love their team. Plus, BetMGM can elevate the level of excitement and fan interest due to its new deal with the team.