Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/13/2018 -- On Monday, October 29, 2018, the National Hockey League announced its new, multi-year agreement with MGM Sports International, becoming the second major professional sports league in the United States to ink a deal with the Las Vegas-based casino giant since sports gambling was legalized earlier this year.
The deal is non-exclusive, meaning the NHL can make similar deals with other sportsbooks and grants MGM access to the league's intellectual properties including logos and branding materials. The agreement also reportedly includes the NHL's advanced game data and innovative player and puck tracking metrics, which is expected to bring interactive new betting opportunities that are specific to the sport.
While the official terms of the deal have not yet been released, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the league is not getting a cut of the gambling profits but will receive a fixed fee of an estimated $25 million over three years.
"This announcement by the NHL and MGM Resorts International can have a major impact in New Jersey, which has a large audience of hockey supporters," explained Neva Pryor, Executive Director of CCGNJ. "We know hockey fans are excited about the new betting possibilities. We want New Jersey residents to know that we are available to anyone whose gambling behaviors may get out of hand this hockey season."
As a non-profit that offers help for disordered gambling (also referred to as "compulsive gambling") in New Jersey, CCGNJ connects people with the support, resources, and professional care that they need to overcome their gambling problems. For help, contact their confidential gambling help hotline, 800-GAMBLER or visit https://800gambler.org/ for more information.
About the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to helping individuals seek help for their disordered gambling problem, and for concerned friends and loved ones to confidentially express their concerns about someone close to them. Their 24/7 hotline is 800-GAMBLER. The Council also works to train professionals in the fields of gambling addiction and recovery.