BetMGM Partners With The Cincinnati Reds Ahead of Ohio Launch

Details of The Partnership

On Oct. 11, BetMGM announced via press release that it is now the Official Sports Betting Partner of MLB’s Cincinnati Reds. This is BetMGM’s second retail sportsbook inside an MLB stadium, as they opened one in the Washington Nationals’ ballpark in January 2022. This announcement also comes on the heels of BetMGM’s partnership extension with MLB as an Official Sports Betting partner. The two groups officially linked in 2018 when BetMGM became the league’s first-ever Official Gaming Partner. 

This new, multi-year agreement calls for a BetMGM retail sportsbook at the Reds’ home stadium in Cincinnati, Great American Ball Park. This will be a space for fans to watch and wager on games all year long alongside access to the BetMGM Sportsbook app which offers tons of sports betting opportunities. 

Fans can only access the retail sportsbook outside of the ticketed areas of the ballpark via the arena plaza level entrance. This space will replace the Machine Room, a restaurant on the northeast side of the stadium. 

​​“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of our plans to create the most entertaining and dynamic sports betting experiences in Ohio,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “Through our relationships with the Reds and MGM Northfield Park, we look forward to bringing unique BetMGM content to Ohio’s passionate sports fans.”

The new contract will also bring prominent BetMGM signage throughout Great American Ball Park, including an outfield wall sign, home plate signage, and a branded foul line in select Reds games. There will be BetMGM club seats and potential on-field access during batting practice available at the stadium which will contribute to the VIP experiences that they plan to include throughout this experience. 

“BetMGM is renowned for their expertise in entertainment and sports gaming, and we believe their brand best fits our high customer standards and will also help draw visitors to our city,” Doug Healy, Cincinnati Reds Chief Financial Officer. “With sports gaming coming to Ohio, the Reds sought to bring the highest quality operator to our ballpark for those fans who choose to participate in sports gaming.”

Ohio Sports Betting Background

Ohio sports betting is set to launch on January 1, 2023 after being signed into law in December of last year. The launch will include both retail and mobile sports betting as well as betting on college sports.

Ohio casinos, racinos, and the several Ohio sports teams will be given priority when it comes to the issuance of sports betting licenses in the state. Each one will get one Type A license (mobile license) with a possibility to add a second if they can demonstrate a financial need for one. Entities such as these can also apply for a Type B license which awards retail sportsbook licenses or Type C which is designated for sports betting kiosks at various retail establishments. 

BetMGM in particular will have already had a presence in Ohio prior to the Jan. 1 launch. They own and operate MGM Northfield Park and submitted a request to the Ohio Casino Control Commission to obtain an online (Type A) and retail (Type B) license for that resort. Their new agreement with the Cincinnati Reds will be their second one in the state.