NHL Partnering with MGM Casino to Share Data for Gambling Purposes

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has partnered with MGM Casino to provide proprietary data for gambling purposes Monday.

The NHL joins the NBA as an official partner with MGM, though the deals are non-exclusive. Other casinos can strike a deal with the NHL for their proprietary data.

“The new sports betting landscape presents a unique opportunity for fan engagement utilizing technology and data that are exclusive to our League,” Bettman said in a statement. ”As a leading global gaming operator and entertainment company, MGM Resorts is the perfect partner for us to begin our transformative entry into this space. Fan engagement, technological advancement and innovation are paramount to our progressive approach and will be at the forefront of everything we do.” 

According to the release, the NHL will allow MGM to "provide its customers with specialized NHL game insights, as well as unlocking new and innovative interactive fan engagement and betting opportunities for its U.S. customers wherever legally available."

A Supreme Court decision earlier this year allowed states to begin offering sports betting. New Jersey, Delaware, Mississippi, West Virginia and New Mexico have adopted new sports gambling laws this year. Pennsylvania, New York and Rhode Island have also passed laws that will lead to legalized sports betting.

The NHL does not receive a cut of the profits from MGM as part of its deal. This is akin to a non-exclusive sponsorship in exchange for data.

“We couldn’t be more excited to enter into this historic partnership with the NHL. The League is home to some of the most exciting action in sports, and we are thrilled to join with them to create new immersive and exhilarating experiences for hockey fans,” said MGM Resorts Chairman & CEO Jim Murren. “Combining MGM Resorts’ world-class sports betting operations and technology with the NHL’s top-level competition, iconic brands and cutting-edge data will further transform the rapidly growing sports betting marketplace and solidify our position at the forefront of the industry.”

Financial terms of the deal have not been made available.