NFL taps BetMGM, FOX Bet, WynnBET and PointsBet as approved sportsbooks

The National Football League (NFL) has reached agreements with BetMGM, FOX Bet, PointsBet and WynnBet to become Approved Sportsbook Operators for the 2021 NFL season, announced the pro sports organization on Monday. 

“We are pleased to announce this select group as Approved Sportsbook Operators,” said Nana-Yaw Asamoah, Vice President of Business Development for the NFL. “This group of operators will help the League to engage fans in responsible and innovative ways this season as the sports betting landscape continues to evolve.”

Resulting from the agreement, all four operators are eligible to purchase in-game commercial units and other select NFL media inventory. By having secured these deals, the companies join Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel, which were selected for the NFL’s first-ever U.S. sportsbook partnerships earlier this year.

Caesars, DraftKings and FandDuel, as “exclusive” partners, have signed five-year deals that feature the right to include betting content directly into NFL Media properties. Unlike the four newly announced companies, these initial three are “Official Sports Betting Partners” instead of just approved operators.

"No sportsbooks outside of these seven operators will be permitted to purchase this select NFL advertising and media inventory,” stated NFL.

In response to the announcement, BetMGM’s CEO, Adam Greenblatt, said: “For decades, the National Football League has been entertaining fans in unprecedented ways, along the way building one of the strongest and most recognizable global brands, an intensely loyal fanbase, and a reputation for breaking the mold. We have the same fan driven purpose at BetMGM.”

We're proud to now be an Official Approved Sportsbook of the @NFL!

More details 👇 https://t.co/KzwYZHf7bt

— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) August 30, 2021

The announcement further solidifies the NFL shift from an anti-betting stance held until a few years ago to a more permissive one, although the League has said its further expansions into wagering will be made while protecting “the integrity of the game and its fans.”

By having secured the partnerships, all operators have agreed to adhere the NFL’s core integrity policies, as well as collaborating on information sharing and supporting responsible gambling efforts. All operators will also license Official League Data from the League’s Official Data provider, Genius Sports.

“Our partnership with the NFL is extremely exciting for our business,” added Greenblatt. “We’ll soon debut a new national ad campaign featuring Jamie Foxx, deliver our players a wide variety of first-class experience and so much more.”