Major League Baseball (MLB) is to become the first professional US sports league to enter the lottery market after announcing plans to launch a new game in partnership with EquiLottery Games.
Based on the patented gaming platform developed by EquiLottery Games, Baseball Bucks will allow MLB fans to purchase a quick pick ticket that features 10 games from that day’s regular season schedule.
Players matching 10 winning teams will win the main prize, while smaller prizes will also be on offer to those who match between seven and nine winning teams.
The multi-year agreement also states that the Baseball Bucks game will feature the official logos of MLB and its 30 franchises.
“We are always aiming to work with partners who share our goal of providing innovative ways for fans to engage with live games,” MLB executive vice president of gaming and new business ventures Kenny Gersh explained.
“Baseball Bucks is a completely new gaming opportunity for lottery players and baseball fans.”
The new partnership could also see MLB work with EquiLottery to create other games based on live baseball, including designs similar to major US lottery draws Powerball and Mega Millions.
“We have already hit the ground running and the early response from lotteries to Baseball Bucks has been exceedingly positive,” EquiLottery chief executive Brad Cummings said.
“I want to thank MLB for being exceptional to work with through this process as we develop a game that will increase the engagement with baseball across the US while also returning more money to the good causes lotteries support.”