Sports betting is hot, and the news is coming out every day about partnerships and newly created companies. After some time without sports, things are beginning to ramp up in the industry.
SimpleBet Launch
This B2B sports betting product development company has just launched. They plan on helping create products for professional sports leagues with companies like DraftKings.
SimpleBet was founded by Chris Bevilacqua, Joey Levy, and Scott Marshall, who are veterans in the sports betting industry. The group was able to get funding from some high-profile investors.
Some of these investors include MLB’s San Francisco Giants as well as David Blitzer a co-owner and co-managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils and Crystal Palace FC;
Also part of the group is Jeff Mallett the founding COO and president of Yahoo, the principal partner of the San Francisco Giants and the co-owner and executive chairman of Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Steve Ellman, a former owner and chairman of the Phoenix Coyotes as well as David Levy, a former president of Turner Sports, also reportedly have a stake.
The company has raised over $35 million and plans to improve existing sportsbooks with their technology.
“Back in 2018, I saw a unique market opportunity approaching with valuable sports media rights colliding with the sports betting industry—especially after PASPA repeal here in U.S.—through data collection and data refinement all powered by machine-learning and automation,” says Belivacqua, Simplebet’s CEO.
Sports Illustrated Preparing for Deal with Sports Betting Company
No name has been released, but there are talks that several gaming companies could be soon partnering with Sports Illustrated. This deal would be an attempt to increase the website traffic for SI.
Maven Media used to own Sports Illustrated, and many issues led employees of the company to be frustrated. But in May of 2019, SI was purchased by Authentic Brands Group for $110 million.
Sports Illustrated needs to make big moves in the digital world to avoid being left behind. The pivot might become a popular move for platforms like SI.
Most of their customers are interested in sports betting, so it seems like it would be a successful partnership.
DraftKings Sportsbook in New Hampshire
A little over a year ago, Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill legalizing sports betting in New Hampshire. Now, DraftKings’s just opened the state’s first physical retail location.
In Seabrook, sports fans will be able to go to this 90,000 square foot facility to bet on professional and collegiate sports games. It will include stadium seats and hundreds of TVs for customers to watch games.
As states like New Hampshire begin to legalize sports betting, they continue to spread across the country. They continue to be one of the first companies to make an appearance when legislation gets passed.
DraftKings has been operating its online platform for some time, but now serves at least four retail locations across the country. As the industry grows, that number will likely increase along with it.
Since December, sports betting has exceeded $65 million in New Hampshire.
