Share
Caesars Sportsbook has entered into an exclusive partnership with Michigan State University.
Although this isn’t the first sportsbook-college partnership, this is the first deal with a Power 5 conference that includes online casino games.
Deal specifics for the Caesars and Michigan partnership
In a statement, MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Allan Haller had this to say:
“The opportunity to partner with Caesars, a leading force in the sports and entertainment industry, will help enhance gameday experiences for Spartan fans and provide significant resources to the growing needs of each of our varsity programs.”
While financial were not disclosed, Caesars will make a “significant financial commitment to MSU,” including funding for student-athlete responsible gaming education, scholarships, and professional development opportunities.
Benefits for Caesars Entertainment
As part of the deal, Caesars branding will be featured at a new seating area and tailgate space. Caesars will also receive signage at football, basketball, and hockey games.
Lastly, Spartan fans will have the opportunity to use specific offers and potential promo codes for mobile sports betting in Michigan.
Eric Hession, Caesars Digital co-President, said,
“The Spartan fan base and alumni network is ionate and well-established across the country . . . Michigan State has a proud tradition of excellence and partnering with an internationally recognized brand in college athletics is a great opportunity for us.”
Other partnerships across the US
In addition to MSU, Caesars Sportsbook also has a deal with Louisiana State University. Additionally, Caesars has a partnership with the Fiesta Bowl for AZ sports betting.
Other such sportsbook-university partnerships include:
- PointsBet – University of Colorado
- PointsBet – University of Maryland
- Superbook – University of Denver
One of the first deals in the post-PASPA era was between William Hill, now owned by Caesars, and UNLV.
Christy Hedgpeth, president of Playfly Sports Properties, which helped facilitate the MSU-Caesars deal, said,
“The rapidly expanding interest around gaming in the college space has pushed us to create strategic opportunities for our college properties.”
He continued by saying:
“[These deals] not only provide impactful gaming education resources but also significant opportunities to drive new sources of revenue.”
