After opening its virtual doors to bettors in Michigan in January 2021, the online gaming division of Wynn Resorts Ltd (Nasdaq: WYNN) WynnBET has partnered with the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Detroit Pistons.
Included in the multi-year deal, is the introduction of several new co-branded marketing efforts geared toward enhancing the fan experience while giving devotees of the Eastern Conference Central Division member new ways to interact with their team that go beyond game day and extend to both online and offline.
Marketing efforts:
The new partnership will be anchored by “Wynn Wednesdays,” a direct-to-consumer promotion that can only be found on the WynnBET mobile app and website. Every Wednesday during the regular season, the new initiative will feature opportunities for fans to enter and win one of several prizes to include unique VIP experiences, tickets, and team and player memorabilia.
Also part of the new deal, inside the Pistons’ Little Caesars Arena located in Midtown, Wynn Interactive’s mobile betting platform plans to launch “in-person activations,” which according to the press release will include pop-up experiences and luxury in-suite hospitality, both in keeping with Wynn Resorts proficiency in accommodating VIP clientele.
Additionally, WynnBET will launch an array of advertising and sponsorship efforts across the Pistons mobile app, social channels, game day radio programs, and in-arena.
Enhanced status:
In addition to the Pistons deal, over the past few months, the mobile betting platform has significantly strengthened its standing as an industry partner of choice, having secured other marketing agreements with several “high-profile” sports franchises.
The digital gaming division also announced in early February that it had agreed a multi-season marketing collaboration with the NBA’s Western Conference Southwest Division Memphis Grizzlies, while also being named an authorized gaming operator for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in late October 2020. As part of the multi-year national sports betting partnership, WynnBET’s investment in the Tennessee sports community will also see it become the official online sportsbook of Martinsville Spee 7BALL CC dway and Richmond Raceway (two of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks), pending licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Growing coverage:
Currently available in Michigan, New Jersey, and Colorado, WynnBET also has opportunities for market access in Tennessee, Ohio, Nevada, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Indiana; and has also applied for licensure in Virginia. In each of the jurisdictions, regulatory authorities must first approve such market access and licensure, while also being subject to legalization.
In January this year, Colorado-based sportsbook operator PointsBet partnered with the Detroit Pistons, making it the Michigan team’s designated sports betting partner while also naming retired NBA star Rip Hamilton as brand ambassador.