Indiana Pacers Make PointsBet Sportsbook Team’s Official Sports Betting Partner

The Pacers have partnered with a brand-new sports betting entity.

The team has entered into a new multiyear partnership with PointsBet Sportsbook.

From now on, PointsBet’s logo will be displayed on Indiana’s court, positioned between the baseline and the team bench.

The agreement will also position the sportsbook’s branding all over Bankers Life Fieldhouse, including signs, phone charging stations, and the scorer’s table adjacent to the court.

PointsBet launched online in Indiana earlier this spring, and this recent agreement signifies the next phase in the company’s drive to increase its brand visibility.

The partnership between PointsBet and the team will be recognizable, according to Rick Fuson, the president and COO of Pacers Entertainment.

Fuson stated, “The corporate alliance with PointsBet signifies a genuine victory for both firms. We eagerly anticipate their introduction as a highly noticeable brand at the Fieldhouse and across our diverse channels.”

The team’s digital platforms, including social media, will also feature the sportsbook’s branding.

PointsBet prioritizes the market in Indiana.

PointsBet is aiming to expand its business in Indiana.

The sportsbook was initiated in March, however, due to COVID-19, it didn’t have the opportunity to fully begin operations. Global sports were halted less than a fortnight after its inaugural day of activity.

With the NBA, MLB, and NHL resuming operations, PointsBet is presented with its first significant opportunity to establish its presence in Indiana.

Lately, this has resulted in a lot of Pacers activity.

Last week, PointsBet launched a Crowd Booster promotion for Indiana’s first NBA restart game.

The spread was increased by a point by the booster for every 100 gamblers who placed their bets on the Pacers. The team had initially started at +4.5 for the game, but it soared remarkably to +33 before the game started.

Offering free money on the Pacers is certainly a strategy to entice Hoosiers to register for the app.

Since PointsBet is now a partner of the team, we can anticipate future Pacers-related promotions to be announced.

The Pacers are already partnered with DraftKings.

While a partnership with Pacers is a novel venture for PointsBet, the same cannot be said for DraftKings.

Back in February, the team signed a deal with Indiana’s most popular sportsbook.

This move was part of a broader NBA strategy by DraftKings, who also inked similar agreements with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers simultaneously.

The company’s agreement with the Pacers closely mirrors the recently concluded deal with PointsBet. It resulted in the display of DraftKings’ logo throughout Bankers Life, as well as the addition of the company’s branding to the team’s widely-watched post-game show.

However, the distinction between the two deals is the daily fantasy sports (DFS).

PointsBet isn’t heavily invested in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) game.

DraftKings, which was primarily focused on daily fantasy before launching its sportsbook division, does not fall into the same category.

The agreement between the company and the Pacers permits DraftKings to produce team-sponsored special DFS events. This is an offering that, at least currently, PointsBet cannot replicate.

Is a partnership with the Indianapolis Colts being considered?

Collaborations with major sports teams can significantly contribute to the validation of a sportsbook. This particularly holds for lesser-known sportsbooks such as PointsBet that don’t enjoy the same brand recognition as their rivals.

Now that the Pacers have already secured two separate partners, the query arises as to when the Indianapolis Colts will begin making comparable moves.

A partnership with the organization could be greatly beneficial, given that the Colts are the only other professional team in Indiana.

PointsBet could disrupt the industry by bidding for the team’s partnership.

However, it will undoubtedly face tough competition from DraftKings and FanDuel, who will be vying for the same position.

FanDuel could potentially be the leading candidate for a long-term contract, having essentially had a trial run with the team last season.

In October 2019, the Colts entered into a partnership with FanDuel which was only valid for the 2019-2020 season.

Based on the perceived success of the trial season, both sides may decide to renew their partnership, leveraging their existing relationship.

Whether PointsBet partners with the Colts or not, it’s clear that the company is devoted to the Indiana market. Already linked with the Pacers, the sportsbook aims to maintain a significant presence in Indiana’s gambling scene for the foreseeable future.

Jake Garza Avatar
Written by
Jake Garza

Jake Garza serves as a US Gambling Industry Analyst with Catena Media, focusing primarily on Midwest sports betting and casino content. Before moving into the legal gambling industry, he was a professional sports writer reporting on teams including the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and Indiana Pacers. Currently, Garza is the Managing Editor for Play Indiana and PlayOhio, having previously worked with other renowned brands like PlayIllinois and PlayMichigan. Since 2019, he has been providing in-depth coverage of the gambling industry, working in collaboration with a team of journalists to deliver extensive coverage of the legal U.S. gambling sector.

View all posts by Jake Garza