MGM and GVC Take Partnership to New Level In California

MGM Resorts and UK-based GVC Holdings have announced that they have entered into a partnership with the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) in an attempt to get a head-start for the sports betting market in California if the state chooses to legalize it.

 

Back in July, MGM and GVC had signed a partnership, forming the MGM GVC Interactive LLC. They were one of the first companies to take advantage of the legalization of sports betting when the US Supreme Court struck down a 26-year old law banning sports betting in all states except Nevada.

 

Although the state of California’s gambling industry is non-operating at the moment, signing this deal seems to show that the groups are hopeful about changes soon. For almost a decade, legislators and stakeholders have tried to pass a bill that would allow legalization and regulation of online poker, but their attempts have failed. If anything, the situation may be the same for sports betting.

 

According to the chairman of UAIC, Gene Whitehouse, even though it is not clear yet whether the Golden state will legalize sports betting or interactive games in general, the overturning of PASPA by the Supreme Court in May leaves space for that possibility. If this does happen, their Tribe wishes to be “well-situated,” and they believe they can achieve just this by entering into an agreement with the leading name in the industry, she said.

 

According to a press release by MGM and GVC, UAIC is an ideal partner for the state of California as it operates Thunder Valley Casino Resort, and can provide the group market access to the state with the largest population in the country if sports betting is legalized by lawmakers.

 

Not first gambling deals for both parties

 

As mentioned before, MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings entered into a 200-million-dollar-deal back in July, making them a powerful force in the gambling industry. MGM has also signed a historic partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), making NBA the first major sports league to enter sports betting. Currently, MGM and GVC are partners in Atlantic City’s online gambling scene as well.

 

In addition, UAIC had initially joined forces with PokerStars to form an online gambling coalition to capitalize on the potential market for online poker in California.