When mobile sports betting became a reality in the state of Pennsylvania in May of 2019, SugarHouse Casino led the charge in launching the first mobile sportsbook in the state. After the launch of the SugarHouse Sportsbook, many others followed, including Parx Sportsbook, Bet Rivers Sportsbook, and FanDuel Sportsbook. Now, SurgarHouse is hoping to pioneer a new era in sports betting, as they announce their partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center.
The Wells Fargo Center is home to the Philadelphia Flyers, 76ers, and a variety of live concerts and events. The announcement of a multi-year deal makes SugarHouse Casino and PlaySugarHouse.com the official sportsbook partner for the Flyers. This partnership could be the first of many, as sports betting continues to grow throughout the state since its legalization. The recent announcement coincides with a number of updates and renovations coming to the Wells Fargo Center, including an updated scoreboard that incorporates 4k video technology.
New Sports Lounges
In addition to the new scoreboard, the Wells Fargo Center will be making a number of changes to accommodate bettors and promote their partnership with SugarHouse. The Wells Fargo Center is adding two sports lounges in the arena for fans to cheer on the Flyers and many of their other favorite sports. The new areas will offer nearly 100 screens throughout the lounges, where fans can enjoy sports betting through their mobile devices.
The sports lounges are modeled after the sportsbook lounges located at the brick-and-mortar SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia. The lounge located on the Main Concourse at the south end of the arena will be home to 10 86” inch screens, in an area that covers approximately 5,680 square feet. There will be an additional 16 65” screens located behind the bar, including odds boards and SugarHouse ambassadors, who will assist guests in registering for the online sportsbook. The second lounge, located at the arena’s top level, faces the center of the arena, so guests can enjoy the game in real time. The upper lounge covers an area of nearly 6,500 square feet, and includes a number of food and drink vendors, bar and table seating, and a custom video wall. In addition to the 22×8 foot video wall, the lounge at the top level will have many smaller screens for fans to watch the action on TV.
Opportunities for Growth
The agreement presents a number of opportunities for both parties. For SugarHouse, they receive exposure for their sportsbook and online betting services, as well as a marketing partnership that includes advertising throughout the arena. Additionally, SugarHouse will receive advertising through a number of other mediums, such as radio, billboard, and digital. On the other hand, the Wells Fargo Center is getting a helping hand on a project that has been labeled “Transformation 2020.” The remodel comes with a price tag of $265 million and includes the previously mentioned scoreboard, a VIP club, and the redesign and introduction of the sportsbook-style lounges. The scoreboard was raised this week during a media event, while the lounges are set to make their debut for the Philadelphia Flyers opener on October 9th.
The Flyers aren’t the only team cashing in on the opportunity to partner with local sportsbooks; Philadelphia’s MLS team, the Union, announced their partnership with Parx Casino last month. Like SugarHouse, Parx was quick to introduce their mobile sportsbook to the state of Pennsylvania, and now both casinos have looked to further their success by partnering with their hometown teams. Parx is now responsible for presenting the halftime show for each Philadelphia Union game, and sends a team of representatives to every home match to show fans how to download the Parx app to begin placing wagers.
As sports betting continues to grow throughout the United States, more and more professional sports teams may be looking to partner with local casinos. Gambling has become inseparable from sports since its legalization, and it appears that it is an industry that can be mutually beneficial for teams and casinos alike.