BetMGM Wastes No Time Becoming Official Gaming Partner of Baltimore Ravens

Back in in November 2020, the legal sports betting world recognized that the state of Maryland was poised to become a huge market when citizens approved a platform on the 2020 Election Ballot. The state wrote another chapter on their legalization journey Tuesday with Governor Larry Hogan officially signing legal sports betting legislation into law.

A day later, the biggest name in the legal sports betting industry, BetMGM hitched its wagon to arguably the most important of the Maryland pro sports teams, the Baltimore Ravens by becoming the franchise's first ever Official Gaming Partner.

The BetMGM/Ravens deal is seen as the first of many such partnerships that are about to form for Mayland-based clubs. The Baltimore Orioles are likely next in line, followed by the Washington Football Club.

What’s in It for Both Sides

The motivation for both sides of a deal like this is obvious. For BetMGM, they receive valuable exposure, on the ground floor of Maryland's brand-new legal sports betting scene. BetMGM signage and promotions will become a large part of all Ravens games, before, during and after, with signage around the stadium and mentions on all current Ravens media outlets. That includes TV, radio, digital media, and on integrated social media content.

Included in the deal is a private hospitality suite at M&T Bank Stadium.

“The Ravens are an incredible organization with a rich history, and we’re proud to become the team’s first official partner in the gaming space,” said Matt Prevost, BetMGM’s chief revenue officer. “Through BetMGM, Ravens fans will be able to engage with their favorite football team at a new and heightened level.”

The Baltimore Ravens get the ability to keep up with other top-tier NFL franchises with regard to branding, promotion and improvement of the overall fan experience. Betting, like it or not has become a huge part of the NFL, and the Ravens will benefit from the full promotional power of the biggest sportsbook in the land.

“When we began the process of carefully identifying sports betting and digital gaming partners, one of our top priorities was finding unique ways for Ravens fans to further engage with the team,” Ravens Chief Sales Officer Kevin Rochlitz said in the release. “We are excited to partner with BetMGM and look forward to the specialized entertainment experience the company will provide for our fans.”

To be Determined

The ink had barely dried on the legislation to bring legal sports betting into Maryland. That means that a few questions about just what the platform will look like and how that will affect the Ravens/BetMGM partnership persist.

There are questions about just how betting will work at the stadium - if it will be through retail means only or if there will be a mobile arm attached to M&T Bank Stadium? Will betting be year-round at the facilities or just on game days?

Will the Ravens be able to apply for their own legal sports betting license or will it be the MD Stadium Authority, who owns M&T Bank Stadium that applies? Will the BetMGM app be available throughout the Stadium if and when it indeed launches, or will the betting opportunities be confined to just the betting lounge?

Betting Big on BetMGM

The BetMGM brand is not-so-subtly built itself into the preeminent brand within the US legal sports betting scene and doesn't look ready to relinquish their status as the biggest player in the US market. With their latest foray into the Maryland market, they now have a betting location in 12 states with access to even more. Last quarter, the company reported an impressive 22% market share in their present jurisdictions, with a target of 30% in the not-too-distant future.

BetMGM has been busy forming relationships with the NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA, MLS, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR.

NFL teams that the betting provider has signed partnership deal with include the Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers. Other team partnerships include the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights and Detroit Red Wings, MLB's Washington Nationals and the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.

Forging Ahead

It appears that the dealing isn't done for either side of the latest Official Gaming Partnership deal. BetMGM will likely be in on every possible partnership opportunity going forward and there are already rumors of the Ravens looking for another company or two to sign on with, not unlike the Denver Broncos that currently has three Official Sports Betting Partners.

The fresh Maryland scene is prepping for a flurry of activity within the next few months as their legal sports betting platform works to get off the ground. Look for the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Football Club to be the next shoes to drop and we inch closer to a much-anticipated Maryland legal sports betting launch.