PointsBet has signed a multi-year deal with the University of Maryland Athletics organization.
The tie up marks the first time a Big Ten Conference franchise has struck a sports betting partnership.
“Investing in the University of Maryland athletics program expands our ability to impact local communities and the greater DMV region while also connecting PointsBet with alumni that remain actively involved in reverence to their alma mater,” said PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken.
“Sports betting education and safe gambling is key to our long-term strategy, as is making a tangible impact on the communities we invest in. We are proud to work with such a high-profile, storied university to further these objectives.”
PointsBet’s relationship with Maryland Sports Properties (a PlayFly Sports property) will include campus activations and in-game features for fans in and around Maryland’s Xfinity Center and Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium.
The deal also includes strategic responsible and problem gambling education for Maryland staff and students. According to the announcement, the partnership will also include a charity element to be “announced at a later date.”
“With the announcement of our partnership with PointsBet through Maryland Sports Properties and Playfly Sports, we are looking forward to raising awareness and educating our student-athlete and University community about responsible gambling,” said Maryland executive associate athletic director and chief strategy officer Brian Ullmann.
“Maryland Athletics continues to lead boldly with the first deal of its kind in the Big Ten Conference and in the region.”
PointsBet gained Maryland sports betting market access via a partnership with Riverboat on the Potomac in Charles County, Maryland.
Maryland retail sports betting is expected to go live this week, either tomorrow (9 December) or Friday (10 December) at three locations; MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel, and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.
Hollywood Casino in Perryville and Ocean Downs in Berlin also have licenses and could launch within the coming weeks or months. Online sports betting is expected to follow, though the state has volume to contend with.
Maryland legalized sports betting and allowed for up to 47 retail sportsbooks alongside a whopping 60 online licenses.