Just hours after the state announced New York sports betting would launch Saturday and named FanDuel as one of the operators that could go live, the Buffalo Bills announced a sports betting partnership with FanDuel Group.
The mobile sportsbook and daily fantasy sports deal allows the operator to gain access to New York’s only NFL team (the Jets and Giants play just across the state line in New Jersey).
The FanDuel Sportsbook-Bills partnership was announced shortly after the New York State Gaming Commission revealed that four companies have been approved to launch mobile sports betting at 9 a.m. Eastern time Saturday.
Initially, FanDuel Sportsbook New York, DraftKings Sportsbook, Rush Street Interactive, and Caesars Sportsbook New York will be the only operators accepting bets during Saturday’s opening day.
FanDuel, Bills Share Fan-Focused Approach
The ability to offer mobile sports betting wagers on Saturday’s opening day is a crucial step for FanDuel Sportsbook — given the state’s population and the success of neighboring states, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
FanDuel Group Chief Marketing Officer Mike Raffensperger touched on the Empire State’s potential in a company press release, calling the deal with the Bills a no-brainer for the New York-based operator.
“The Bills take pride in being a culture that is built on genuine connection with their fans, and we are absurdly fan-focused at FanDuel, making this a natural collaboration,” Raffensperger said in the press release. “As we prepare to bring America’s No. 1 sportsbook to New York state, we will collaborate with the Bills to bring unique content and experiences to one of the most loyal fanbases in sports.”
The level of optimism along the banks of Lake Erie was palpable as well, based on the comments made in the release by Pegula Sports & Entertainment Sr. Vice President of Business Development Dan Misko.
Misko and company will benefit from having FanDuel as a presenting sponsor on the team’s official podcast, Bills by the Numbers. Buffalo is on the cusp of its third consecutive AFC playoff appearance, and the Bills playoff chances continue to look strong.
“FanDuel has built a strong reputation as a premier sports betting destination for sports fans,” Misko said in the release. “The ways they reach people through engaging and entertaining content is innovative and aligns with how we think about connecting with our fans. We’re very excited for all this partnership will offer our valued fans throughout the state of New York as part of their gameday experience and look forward to working with FanDuel for many years to come.”
Who’s Authorized in the New York Marketplace?
The four aforementioned NY betting app operators will eventually be joined by the likes of BallyBet, BetMGM NY, PointsBet, Resorts World and WynnBET — all of whom are working toward satisfying the necessary requirements by law to launch. When those operators meet that criteria, the state will approve them to begin on a rolling basis.
FanDuel Sportsbook New York already has a retail facility at Tioga Downs Casino in Upstate New York, one of four operators with a retail sportsbook in the state.
FanDuel Sportsbook had also partnered with the NFL as a whole and the Denver Broncos before Thursday’s deal with the Bills.
