What A TD Garden Sports Betting Experience Could Look Like

Having professional sports stadiums with in-house sportsbooks is no longer uncommon. As more states legalize the industry and various locations recognize the benefits of sportsbook partnerships, this trend is rapidly gaining popularity.

Massachusetts may be one of the upcoming states to adopt this trend, with the TD Garden being a potential hotspot for a sportsbook. The fact that it is home to both Celtics and Bruins fans makes it an ideal location.

With the recent launch of Massachusetts online sports betting, there has been a noticeable increase in interest surrounding the subject. This has prompted a closer examination of potential sportsbooks that could align with this development and the possibility of a retail sportsbook within the Garden.

FanDuel already inked partnership with Bruins

The TD Garden could potentially become the next professional sports venue to incorporate retail sportsbooks, following the trend. With the Boston Bruins already having a FanDuel presence, the downtown Boston venue seems poised to take this step.

FanDuel Massachusetts wasted no time, as they swiftly announced a multi-year partnership with the Boston Bruins on March 10, the same day when mobile sports wagering was officially legalized in Massachusetts.

FanDuel has been designated as the official sports betting partner for the hockey team according to the agreement.

FanDuel’s partnership enabled their image and branding to be prominently displayed throughout TD Garden. Moreover, their branding is regularly featured on a significant portion of the team’s social media content.

Different partners for NBA and NHL

One should note that FanDuel is among the sports betting partners for both the NBA and NHL, who have their respective homes at the TD Garden in Boston, hosting the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

In April of last year, the NHL made an announcement about securing multi-year sponsorship agreements with both FanDuel and BetMGM. This partnership marked a significant milestone as it became the league’s inaugural sports betting collaboration in North America.

In late 2021, the NBA appointed FanDuel and DraftKings as its co-official partners for sports betting.

Scott Kaufman-Ross, NBA Senior VP, Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration between DraftKings and FanDuel, highlighting their pivotal role in the ongoing merging of media and sports betting. He emphasized the excitement of providing distinctive content experiences to their fans.

No sports betting partner for Celtics…yet

If you glance at the social media feeds of the Boston Celtics, you’ll notice a significant presence of DraftKings Massachusetts content.

DraftKings, although not designated as Boston’s official sportsbook (as there currently isn’t one), is the official daily fantasy sports partner of the team. The organization sponsors the Celtics’ starting lineups and frequently organizes watch parties throughout games. They established a multi-year partnership in early 2020.

Tonight’s Starting 5️⃣@DraftKings pic.twitter.com/NScZ6oUIpc

The tweet was posted by the official Twitter account of the Boston Celtics on April 4, 2023.

DraftKings’ sponsorship primarily focuses on fantasy sports rather than sports gambling, as stated in a press release regarding the partnership.

Celtics Team President Rich Gotham expressed in a statement that daily fantasy sports players are some of the most enthusiastic NBA fans. He also mentioned that the Celtics are pleased to work together with their hometown partner, DraftKings, in providing various group activities and game day features for Celtics fans. This collaboration includes showcasing the team’s starting lineup on social media platforms.

Furthermore, alongside its collaboration with the Celtics in February 2020, DraftKings also formed alliances with the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers. However, in the case of these two Eastern Conference competitors, the partnership with DraftKings primarily centered around gambling activities.

Considering DraftKings’ previous association with the Pacers and 76ers, it would be logical to expect an announcement regarding a Celtics’ sportsbook or an official sports betting partnership.

Who could be TD Garden’s in-house sportsbook operator?

Taking into consideration the current sponsorships, both within the team and the league, it appears that FanDuel is the most probable choice for a retail sportsbook at TD Garden.

Although the Celtics are associated with DraftKings, FanDuel has connections with the NBA, NHL, and Bruins.

The duration of the Celtics’ agreement with DraftKings remains uncertain; however, hypothetically, transitioning to FanDuel wouldn’t pose significant challenges. This is particularly true because FanDuel has established connections with the league.

Considering the fact that it holds the largest market share nationwide, FanDuel is a logical choice. Recent reports from state gaming regulators in late 2022 revealed that FanDuel dominated the market with approximately 42% of the national market share.

What would a TD Garden sportsbook look like?

Every retail sportsbook, even those operating under the same brand, will have its own unique appearance.

Located within the United Center, the esteemed home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, resides the FanDuel Sportsbook in Chicago.

The United Center’s FanDuel Lounge spans across 1,300 square feet and is adorned with numerous LED screens that showcase a wide array of games. Additionally, the lounge offers an extensive selection of mouthwatering food options, including a delectable smoked gouda bacon dip and flavorful wagyu hot dogs. Moreover, patrons can indulge in a variety of cocktails that further enhance their experience.

We have exciting news! Together with @FanDuel, we are preparing to launch a cutting-edge Sportsbook lounge at the United Center. Our aim is to bring the thrill of sports betting right to your fingertips in a state-of-the-art, two-story venue.

To learn more, please go to: https://t.co/YzX3kWvqtd pic.twitter.com/QRmnAt1ts7

On January 31, 2022, the United Center tweeted.

Retail sportsbooks are also present at venues of various other sports franchises across the country.

Sportsbooks are located within the home venues of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, and Washington Capitals.

What sportsbooks have partnerships with Massachusetts teams? Who remains without a partnership?

If you or someone close to you is facing gambling-related issues, reach out to a trained specialist for assistance by dialing 1-800-327-5050 or visiting www.mahelpline.org/problemgambling. Their support is available round the clock and completely free of charge.