The Indiana Pacers Now Have An Official Sports Betting Partner

Although there has been no official announcement from either the NBA team or the sportsbook, the Indiana Pacers have finalized a deal securing a sports betting partner.

Who is the sportsbook partner of the Pacers in Indiana?

During games on their home court, the Indiana Pacers now display an advertisement for DraftKings, their “official sports betting partner.”

You can view highlights here, particularly the concluding action, from the latest Pacers home game.

After Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019, encompassing both online and retail sportsbooks, DraftKings, in conjunction with the BetRivers brand, was the first to initiate online betting starting from October. In the initial months of the market, it positioned itself as the leading online sportsbook in Indiana.

Deals on sports betting and DraftKings

Known for collaborating with teams to market its daily fantasy sports product, DraftKings is now broadening its presence throughout the United States and boosting its online sportsbook promotion.

DraftKings has also made the following deals:

• DraftKings Sportsbook is predominantly recognized as a sanctioned betting operator for the entire NBA.
• DraftKings has successfully completed a deal to operate as a sportsbook for the New York Knicks, NY Rangers, and Madison Square Garden.
• The NFL has partnered with DraftKings to become an official associate of fantasy sports.

Interestingly, back in 2015, the Pacers had initially signed a fantasy sports agreement with FanDuel, which is a competitor of DraftKings.

The Colts have formed a partnership with a sportsbook.

The Indianapolis Colts, the other major professional team in the state, already have an agreement in place, although it is not officially categorized as a sports betting deal.

FanDuel is officially associated with the Colts, however, their partnership is limited to daily fantasy sports. The NFL and its teams have shown hesitance in fully accepting sports betting.

Before their 2018 loss in the US Supreme Court, the NFL and NBA were both part of a legal battle to maintain a federal ban outside of Nevada.

What does the agreement suggest for DraftKings? What benefits does it offer to the Pacers?

It is evident that DraftKings is banking on a franchise deal to bolster its position as the top sportsbook in the state. Since its launch last autumn, DraftKings has led the pack among Indiana sportsbooks in both total amount wagered and revenue earned.

Promoting at Pacers games should aid in reaching out to passionate NBA fans, who are typically more motivated to engage in sports betting.

Clearly, the Pacers stand to benefit economically from the deal, despite the specific terms not being public knowledge. It’s well-known that bettors tend to engage more with the sports they wager on, often watching games for longer periods when they have a stake in the results. As a result, numerous leagues and teams are turning to sports betting as a means to boost fan engagement, subsequently increasing revenue from TV rights deals and sponsorships.