As Pennsylvania sports betting continues to grow, teams and online sportsbooks are looking for partnership opportunities.

BetMGM and the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday a new partnership that will include BetMGM branding throughout PNC Park, fan-focused promotions, social media content and more.

“Our partnership with BetMGM is one that we are extremely proud to announce,” David Burke, Pirates executive vice president of Sales and Business Development, said in a news release. “We are incredibly excited to partner with such a respected and innovative brand. It allows us the opportunity to provide a unique platform for our fans to engage with Pirates baseball like never before.”

What’s In The Deal

Under the partnership, BetMGM content will be integrated across the Pirates’ digital and social platforms with BetMGM signage prominently featured at PNC Park, including the left-field wall and behind home plate.

“BetMGM has seen tremendous success in Pennsylvania since launching in December 2020,” said Matt Prevost, Chief Revenue Officer, BetMGM.

“Growing our presence across the state, in partnership with the Pirates, is a top priority and we look forward to providing Pittsburgh’s passionate sports fans unique promotions and benefits only available on BetMGM.”

The Pirates haven’t moved the MLB betting needle much this year. Currently in last place in National League Central Division at 34-56, they return from the All-Star Game break to open a three-game home series with the NL East Division-leading New York Mets on Friday.

Other Pennsylvania Partnerships

This is the latest in several gaming partnerships with Pennsylvania teams.

In November 2020, BetMGM announced a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then in December, announced a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers as a way to strengthen relationships with the fanbases and attract new customers to their brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and online sports betting accounts.

Unibet was one of the first companies to establish a partnership in Pennsylvania when it formed a casino deal with the Eagles in November 2019 and one with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union in February 2020. Then in October 2020, Unibet and the Eagles announced a sportsbook partnership.

The Eagles also partnered with FOX Bet in September 2020 and with DraftKings in early October 2020.

BetRivers and Sugarhouse have been active with Pennsylvania sports teams and athletes since early October 2019. That’s when they introduced a partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers and opened the BetRivers.com Sports Lounge and Rivers Casino Philadelphia Sports Lounge within the Flyers home arena, Wells Fargo Center.

In September 2020, the Pittsburgh Penguins entered an agreement with Rivers Casino and BetRivers to become the official casino and sportsbook of the five-time Stanley Cup champions.

On Jan. 6, BetRivers signed former NBA coach George Karl to an exclusive content deal and two days later, named former Steelers and Notre Dame running back Jerome Bettis as brand ambassador.