BetMGM
BetMGM Introduces ESPN Veteran Ryan Spoon as Chief Operating Officer

BetMGM, the sports betting joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings (LSE: GVC), today announced the appointment of Ryan Spoon as Chief Operating Officer.
Most recently, Spoon served as Senior Vice President of Social & Digital Content at ESPN. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of Digital Product and Design. In those capacities, Spoon helped build, operate and grow many of the leading digital properties in sports including ESPN.com; the ESPN App; ESPN Fantasy, including ESPN Fantasy Football; and ESPN Social. ESPN’S digital properties are the world’s leading and most successful online sports service, boasting the number one sports website and app, as well as number one sports media publisher in social engagement across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Spoon is a two-time Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 winner. Before joining ESPN, Spoon spent time as a venture capitalist at Polaris Venture Partners where he proved to have innate skills in identifying and leveraging trends in the digital space.
Spoon will report to BetMGM’s CEO Adam Greenblatt, who said, “BetMGM has seen early success in establishing itself as a significant player in the sports betting world through relationships with leagues, teams and partners. With Ryan’s expertise in developing scaled and engaging digital experiences, BetMGM will leverage those relationships in entirely new ways.”
BetMGM’s industry-leading platform provides a user-friendly sports betting experience, making it simple to customize pre-game, live in-play, futures and parlay bets. Sports bettors can select from a wide assortment of betting options including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, soccer, tennis and combat sports. The app is currently live in six states with the goal of rapid expansion as state legislation allows.
BetMGM’s league partnerships include the NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR and NASCAR. Team partners include the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Vegas Golden Knights, and more. Strategic partners include Yahoo! Sports and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Spoon said, “The opportunity at BetMGM during these early phases was an immediate draw for me. With the incredible assets of MGM Resorts, GVC’s industry-leading technology, and the many league, team and platform partners, BetMGM is uniquely positioned in the market and I am excited to help drive future growth.”
Spoon will be based in the BetMGM headquarters in New Jersey and is scheduled to start in his new role in November.
SOURCE MGM Resorts International
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Barry Sanders
Derek Jeter Joins BetMGM’s Team of Legendary Ambassadors

BetMGM announced a multiyear partnership with baseball legend and five-time World Series champion Derek Jeter. As BetMGM’s newest brand ambassador, Jeter will appear in national marketing campaigns including the “Legendary Plays” spot, scheduled to premiere on July 15. BetMGM Casino also plans to launch an exclusive Jeter-themed slot game. Currently, there are no other online casino games featuring a current or former professional baseball player.
“BetMGM’s commitment to excellence and overall approach help them stand out as an innovator in their space. They have worked hard to create a real community in their audience. I look forward to working with their team to build connections within their base of players and support the company’s continued growth,” Jeter said.
The Hall of Fame shortstop joins BetMGM’s prestigious roster of sports legends, which includes Barry Sanders, Tim Howard and Wayne Gretzky, among others. Jeter will be featured prominently across advertising campaigns and digital platforms, make appearances at exclusive VIP events and play a key role in promoting BetMGM’s responsible gambling initiatives in both the US and Canada.
Casey Hurbis, Chief Marketing Officer at BetMGM, said: “As BetMGM’s brand continues to evolve, we could not think of a better baseball ambassador to add to our Mount Rushmore of legendary athletes than Derek Jeter. ‘The Captain’s’ universal appeal and proven track record of excellence, both on and off the field, will provide players with extraordinary experiences only available at BetMGM.”
Over his storied 20-year career with the New York Yankees, Jeter earned a reputation as a game-changing athlete, revered for his consistency, clutch performances and leadership. “The Captain” collected more than 3000 hits, won five Gold Gloves and was a 14-time All-Star while serving as the cornerstone of numerous championship teams. His legacy on the field, and his presence off it, continues to inspire generations of baseball fans.
As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM provides resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.
The post Derek Jeter Joins BetMGM’s Team of Legendary Ambassadors appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BetMGM
Octoplay Makes United States Market Debut Through Strategic Partnership with BetMGM in New Jersey

Octoplay continues its series of successful partnerships by joining forces with BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, for its highly anticipated United States market debut in New Jersey. This landmark entry into the United States marks a pivotal moment in Octoplay’s North American expansion strategy, bringing its premium product portfolio to American players. The strategic partnership with BetMGM establishes Octoplay’s first active U.S. collaboration and follows the company’s recently obtained Michigan provisional license, setting the stage for an accelerated North American rollout in 2025.
This partnership builds on Octoplay’s successful collaboration with BetMGM in Ontario, where the company first debuted Jackpot Blitz – a bespoke version of its popular jackpot system built in close collaboration with BetMGM. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Ontario, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and a provisional license in Michigan, Octoplay advances its strategic market roadmap in key jurisdictions worldwide.
“Our New Jersey launch with BetMGM represents a key milestone in our North American strategy” says Ralitsa Georgieva, Director of Business Development at Octoplay. “This partnership connects our content with players in the largest U.S. iGaming market, providing a foundation for our continued expansion across North America in 2025.”
Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming, BetMGM, said, “We are pleased to partner with Octoplay for their U.S. debut. Based on the strong performance in other markets and Octoplay’s premium game portfolio, we are confident the content will be a success in New Jersey.”
The integration with BetMGM marks a significant step in Octoplay’s North American strategy. With New Jersey serving as Octoplay’s gateway to the biggest iGaming market, the company stands ready to bring its proven European success to American players throughout 2025 and beyond.
The post Octoplay Makes United States Market Debut Through Strategic Partnership with BetMGM in New Jersey appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Adam Greenblatt
BetMGM Partners with Las Vegas Aces

BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, and the Las Vegas Aces announced that BetMGM is the exclusive online casino and sportsbook partner of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. The agreement runs through the 2027 season, marking BetMGM’s first major partnership with a women’s professional sports franchise. Key features include prominent signage at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and sponsorship across Aces social media platforms. Added components of the partnership for BetMGM players include courtside access to pre-game shootarounds and luxury VIP seating.
BetMGM will also serve as an authorized gaming partner of the WNBA through the 2027 season. Under the agreement, BetMGM will receive commercial inventory on nationally televised games, WNBA tickets and experiences for its VIP players, the rights to co-branded content across BetMGM’s digital and social platforms, and articles on wnba.com/WNBABet. Additionally, BetMGM plans to release a WNBA-branded online slot game in the near future in jurisdictions where its iGaming platform is live. The slot game will be available exclusively at BetMGM and represents the first-ever WNBA online casino game.
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, said: “As we enter this era of tremendous growth in women’s sports, BetMGM could not have two better organizations to partner with than the WNBA and the Aces. Not only do the Aces play in our backyard at Mandalay Bay, but they share our commitment to giving back to the community.”
On May 27, executives from BetMGM, Las Vegas Aces, MGM Resorts International, and The Just One Project (a cornerstone nonprofit committed to increasing access to food, resources and supportive services in Southwest Nevada) gathered in front of The Fountains of Bellagio to launch their partnership. Aces President Nikki Fargas and BetMGM Director of Team & League Partnerships Molly Wurdack-Folt led the festivities, unveiling plans for the “BetMGM Steals for Meals” program whereby BetMGM will donate $50 for The Just One Project to provide meals to food-insecure families for every Aces steal at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
“The Las Vegas Aces are proud to partner with BetMGM for many reasons, but especially for the support they will provide to The Just One Project. As one of the best defenses in the league the past few seasons, especially in front of our home fans, and knowing that each steal will help families in need, this gives our team even more incentive to lock down our opponents on the defensive end,” said Fargas.
Lance Evans, SVP Sports and Sponsorships, MGM Resorts International, said: “Since 2018, the Las Vegas Aces have played a pivotal role in our city’s growth as a global sports and entertainment destination. Together with BetMGM, we look forward to hosting gameday events at Mandalay Bay, as well as our other properties, allowing local and visiting fans to interact with their favorite basketball teams.”
Betting on the WNBA has increased exponentially, and BetMGM experienced 133% growth year-over-year during the 2024 season. BetMGM now offers more betting options than ever before including player props, odds on the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup and increased playoff offerings.
“On the heels of an incredible 2024 season when WNBA delivered significant growth in all areas of fan engagement, and with so much excitement surrounding the 2025 season, we want to continue to lean into betting and finding new and innovative ways to engage with our fans and provide the experiences they want,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison.
“BetMGM is doing just that by offering new and expansive betting markets for WNBA fans. And by partnering with the Aces, BetMGM continues to recognize the extraordinary potential for growth that comes from tapping into the power of women’s sports and the connections fans have to their favorite players and teams.”
The post BetMGM Partners with Las Vegas Aces appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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