Mohegan Secures CT Deal with FanDuel
Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, the gaming branch of the Mohegan Tribe, has partnered with online sports betting giant FanDuel in a market access deal for the state of Connecticut. The deal will enable FanDuel to offer retail and online sports betting in the state, as well as online casino gaming.
Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, the gaming division of the Mohegan Tribe, has entered into an exclusive market access deal with leading sports betting provider FanDuel. ©jimarojfm/Pixabay
FanDuel Set to Replace Kambi as iGaming Provider
Online sports betting provider FanDuel has revealed that it has entered into an exclusive market access deal with Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment — the gaming branch of Connecticut’s Mohegan Tribe.
The deal will allow FanDuel to provide both retail and online sports betting, along with online casino gaming (also known as iGaming). The partnership comes as part of a recently secured tribal compact and a legislative bill between two Connecticut tribes and the state of Connecticut — the latter of which passed the state’s senate in May 2021, with its origins dating back to 2019.
Once being fully implemented, the bill in question would allow for online sports betting and other iGaming offerings to be channeled through two of the state’s tribal operators, the Mohegan Tribe and Foxwoods operator the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
Prior to its recent deal with FanDuel, the Mohegan Tribe actually had a standing deal with another prominent sports betting provider — Kambi. While the tribe’s accord with Kambi was amended as recently as early July 2021, FanDuel will now take Kambi’s place in providing sports betting for Mohegan.
FanDuel and Mohegan’s current deal will allow FanDuel to provide sports betting in Mohegan Sun casinos, showcasing several sports wagering options, such as football, hockey and baseball. FanDuel will also, naturally, offer online sports betting services, along with a unique online casino experience crafted specially for the Mohegan Sun brand. Fall 2021 is the expected launch date for all of these offerings.
Temporary Sportsbook Will Be Set Up Until Deal is Finalized Later This Year
With the inner-workings of the deal between FanDuel and Mohegan still needing to be sorted out, a temporary FanDuel-Mohegan Sun sportsbook will be set up inside the Mohegan Sun location — at least until a permanent opening frees up later in 2021.
President & Chief Executive of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment Ray Pineault described his company’s partnership with FanDuel as a “top priority,” ahead of the brand’s plans to further build and enhance its betting operators in Connecticut.
“We’re excited to work with FanDuel, one of the leading sports-tech entertainment companies in the U.S. to bring the brand’s innovative sports betting and iGaming solutions to Mohegan Sun Connecticut. Our partnership is a priority for Mohegan Digital, as we look to grow and enhance our casino, sportsbook and online operations in Connecticut – and beyond. We’re confident that FanDuel will deliver a best-in-class digital and in-person experience for our loyal guests.”– Ray Pineaul, President & Chief Executive, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, press release
Amy Howe, president of FanDuel, also welcomed the partnership, explaining that, once FanDuel’s retail space in Mohegan Sun is fully finalized, Connecticut will likely become a “key state” for the sports betting operator.
“Mohegan Sun is an iconic casino and entertainment destination in the Northeast, and we are excited to announce our first tribal gaming partnership with one of the leading tribal operators in the United States. We have some incredible plans for the retail space at Mohegan Sun, with the potential to be the largest FanDuel sportsbook in the United States. When we combine the retail sports betting experience with the opportunity for online sports betting and iGaming, Connecticut is going to be a key state for us as we look towards the start of football season.”
FanDuel Announced Recent Partnership with NFL
Sports betting is on the rise across the United States — and a prime example of such was the April 2021 announcement of multiple leading American sports betting companies striking partnerships with the country’s national football league, the NFL.
FanDuel was one of these sports betting providers, along with Caesars and DraftKings. The deals with the NFL stand as multi-year partnerships, in which each brand will also receive the title of Official Sports Betting Partner.
Along with exclusive access to specific branded content, as well as new free NFL-themed games, the partnerships will also see each sports betting brand receive the ability to integrate their content into affiliated NFL tech programs, like the NFL app and the NFL’s official website. The three sportsbooks will of course be able to use official NFL data in their sportsbook feed.
Unlike Caesars, FanDuel and DraftKing will enjoy certain perks as part of their respective partnerships, such as allowing their players to take advantage of storied NFL footage. This could include all-time league highlights, as well as Next Gen Stats.
FanDuel Promises Launch in Louisiana Just Ahead of NFL Season
Following its lucrative partnership deal with the NFL, FanDuel announced in May 2021 that it expected its sports betting launch in Louisiana to go live just in time for the upcoming NFL season.
FanDuel representatives assured market observers in May that the brand was in close talks with local Louisiana legislators to ensure sports betting is up and running by the kick-off of NFL season this year, which usually begins in early September.
Before FanDuel can actually launch in Louisiana, state police and the Louisiana Gaming Board, in tandem with state politicians, are working through at least nine different sports betting laws. However, with the recent passing of two important regulatory bills concerning sports betting — prospects are indeed looking promising for FanDuel in the Bayou State.
Mohegan Sun Has Plans to Open South Korean Casino
For its part, Mohegan Sun has also been attempting to remain active during the global pandemic, announcing in April 2020 the continuation of its plans to launch a world-class integrated casino resort complex in Incheon, South Korea.
The project, however, has been plagued by a series of roadblocks, such as regulatory issues and, now, construction delays attributed to the ongoing global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Despite such delays and issues, Mohegan Sun CEO Mario Kontomerkos assured the public that construction on the massive complex was finally underway, with a projected opening date of early 2022.
