Caesars Sportsbook named official sports betting partner of MSU Athletics

Caesars has sealed a multi-year deal with Michigan State University to make Caesars Sportsbook the official sports betting partner of MSU Athletics.
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Caesars Entertainment Inc has announced a multi-year partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) Athletics and MSU Sports Properties to make Caesars Sportsbook the official and exclusive sports betting and igaming partner of MSU Athletics.

The deal will combine fan engagement opportunities, a new seating area at Spartan Stadium, and an expansion of responsible sports gaming education. Caesars Sportsbook will gain significant exposure through MSU’s sports properties and access to a wide range of hospitality assets and VIP experiences.

These experiences will be available to Caesars Sportsbook players, as part of its loyalty program, Caesars Rewards.

The sportsbook will have access to assets such as broadcast/digital content across MSU athletics; TV-visible signage across basketball, football, and hockey; naming entitlement for a new seating area inside Spartan Stadium along with an outdoor tailgating area; and access to alumni and fan engagement opportunities surrounding varsity sports seasons.

Michigan State fans will also be able to enjoy promotional offers on mobile sports betting, igaming, and The World Series of Poker (WSOP) product offerings.

Eric Hession, Co-President of Caesars Digital, commented: “Michigan State has a proud tradition of excellence and partnering with an internationally recognized brand in college athletics is a great opportunity for us.

“The Spartan fan base and alumni network is passionate and well-established across the country. We look forward to building upon our connection with them while strengthening the legacy we hold in the state of Michigan and advancing scholarship opportunities through this partnership.”

The sportsbook will also provide annual funds to support student-athlete responsible gaming education, student scholarships, as well as internship and professional development opportunities for MSU students seeking a sports industry career.

Alan Haller, Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics, added: “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 support the growing needs of each of our varsity programs.

“We are excited to be on the cutting edge of this innovative opportunity, while recognizing the importance of Caesars’ commitment to responsible sports gaming education both for the student-athletes and the University community as a whole.”

Caesars will also continue its work with the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling (MAPG), regulators, and the community to provide bettors with responsible gaming resources and promote the responsible gaming tools available on its sportsbook app.

MSU’s third-party multi-media rights holder, Playfly Sports, facilitated the partnership with Caesars.

Christy Hedgpeth, President of Playfly Sports Properties, stated: “The rapidly expanding interest around gaming in the college space has pushed us to create strategic opportunities for our college properties that not only provide impactful gaming education resources but also significant opportunities to drive new sources of revenue.

“Connecting Caesars’ iconic brand to MSU’s passionate community of students, fans and alumni is a perfect fit and another example of how partnerships like this are creating tremendous benefits for all parties involved.”

Last week, Caesars was one of the first operators to accept a sports wager in the state of New York following the launch of the Caesars Sportsbook in the Empire State.