Despite all the complaining and negative news cycle about the NBA, the league will reach an audience of more than 3 billion viewers during 2025 as it continues to expand beyond borders through its cultural dominance and economic success. Reports indicate continuous growth in worldwide basketball participation because of international league marketing efforts and popular international players Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić.

Viewership statistics from the 2023-24 season indicate ABC, ESPN and TNT received 1.6 million average viewers who watched NBA regular season gamest. Adding to this momentum, the Indiana Pacers- San Antonio Spurs game that took place on January 23, 2025 in Paris was the most-viewed NBA Global Game ever on league social media platforms.

The NBA’s 7 Official Gaming Partners

This massive audience viewing NBA games created an attractive market opportunity that top gaming operators immediately pursued to reach growing NBA fan demographics. Major gaming companies established quickly profitable connections with the league through player ambassador programs, developing exciting NBA themed online slots and finalizing Gaming Partnership agreements. These business partnerships demonstrate how sports and gaming markets can join forces to showcase the substantial market opportunities. 

FanDuel

Since 2014 the American gambling giant FanDuel has built its standing as an NBA Official Gaming Partner through a continuous business relationship. The establishment of FanDuel started with daily fantasy sports applications but the company soon turned into a prominent gaming business which expanded to sports betting before adding online casinos and horse racing betting services. Through its merger with Paddy Power Betfair that produced FanDuel Group in 2018 the organization gained enhanced brand power to enter multiple U.S. markets.

FanDuel obtained exclusive rights in 2021 to use NBA assets in its sports betting, daily fantasy and casino platforms. FanDuel establishes itself as the official presenting partner of the NBABet Show on NBA TV which demonstrates its extensive position within the basketball tradition. In addition to the NBA FanDuel maintains partnerships with the WNBA and serves as the dedicated daily fantasy provider for the Memphis Grizzlies. The company demonstrates its dedication to sports league affinity by transforming Diamond Sports Group into FanDuel Sports Network through the rebranding process.

DraftKings

In 2019 DraftKings emerged as the primary NBA Official Gaming Partner for the United States-based digital sports entertainment and gaming company. DraftKings originated in 2012 as a brainchild of founders Jason Robins together with Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman with their headquarters in Boston. The company now provides daily fantasy and regulated gaming in addition to digital media to allow sports fans across 15 sports categories and eight countries to experience unlimited passions. The company launched DraftKings Sportsbook in 2018 which has now expanded its operations to run in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana allowing fans to access mobile alongside retail sports betting in regulated states across the national landscape. Through its exclusive partnership with NBABet Stream

DraftKings maintains essential status as the presenting provider for this betting-focused NBA telecast which fans can access through NBA League Pass subscriptions and the NBA TV App. The company also enhances its presence in professional basketball through deals with famous teams including the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. The company delivers memorable fan engagements through its partnership programs with VIP Fantasy Camps along with Honorary Team Captain Presentations to create enhanced fan involvement. The partnership between DraftKings and WNBA deepened in 2024 when the company secured the Official Sports Betting and Daily Fantasy Partner role to serve all basketball enthusiasts from professional to amateur level.

Top Gaming Operators

BetMGM

BetMGM launched in 2018 through the partnership of MGM Resorts International and Entain Holdings to transform sports betting and online gaming service delivery throughout America. Through its Official Gaming Partnership status with the NBA BetMGM consumes exclusive league assets for sports betting which includes highlights with logos and direct data feeds. The sports gaming industry recognizes BetMGM as a forceful player because it maintains strategic partnerships with leagues extending beyond the NBA to include the NHL and MLB.

BetMGM really shows off the innovative brand engagement through its Philadelphia 76ers partnership that includes television-visible brand signs and VIP team app deals and unique casino games with 76ers franchise themes. As “Official Away Game Host” for the 76ers MGM Resorts operates the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City as an exclusive location that unites fans to share their team spirit.

ESPN Bet

ESPN Bet has developed a major strategic milestone through its January 14, 2025 agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) that PENN Entertainment operates. Through the partnership ESPN Bet establishes online market accessibility in Washington D.C. and selects MSE teams Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA) and Washington Mystics (WNBA) as its sports betting partners. MSE and ESPN Bet formed a partnership which includes multiple marketing elements like arena-based promotions alongside network broadcasting packages integrated into Monumental Sports Network.

The partnership enables ESPN Bet to acquire licensing rights for teams from MSE in addition to the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and provides them with TV-visible arena signage as well as out-of-home advertisements and commercial airtime on Monumental Sports Network. ESPN Bet provides special VIP hospitality benefits that enhance fan experiences within sports stadiums. The partnership between ESPN Bet and Monumental Sports Media now serves 19 states marking its establishment as a top provider in sports betting operations.

Hard Rock Bet

The Hard Rock Bet platform from the famous Hard Rock brand stands as a milestone that emerged from the founding of the original Hard Rock Cafe during 1971. Since 1971 when Hard Rock Cafe debuted Hard Rock has expanded into a multinational company operating as an entertainment and hospitality leader after the Seminole Tribe of Florida acquired it in 2007. Seminole Hard Rock Digital created Hard Rock Bet which serves as an all-inclusive portal for digital betting on sports and casino games to capture expanding opportunities in the digital gaming industry.

The Miami Heat welcomed Hard Rock Bet in January 2025 as their official sportsbook partner making it the sole legal sportsbook operating in Florida. Hard Rock Bet and the Miami HEAT partnered for exclusive promotions and co-marketed together to establish the Hard Rock Bet Heat Club which provides free membership with special deals for fans alongside engagement possibilities. Additional benefits for fans include VIP access at HEAT events together with the Kaseya Center which features Hard Rock Bet branding that provides high-end seating areas for game spectators.

Betway Sports

Betway Sports began its operations as a British gambling company in 2006 before building a worldwide leadership position in gambling services. Betway provides their users with various gambling entertainment choices which span from sports betting to casino games, poker and bingo. The main office of Betway is located in Malta while the company also runs offices in London, Guernsey and Cape Town.

Betway operates as a Super Group subsidiary which established its reputation in sports betting markets through strategic business partnerships. Betway serves as the Official Gaming Partner for NBA teams Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat to advance its position in the sports industry.