Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Ltd. has agreed a deal making it the Official National Land-Based Casino Partner of the NFL in Canada, with its signature MATCH Eatery & Public House to serve as the exclusive presenting sponsor of the NFL Fantasy App.

Under the terms of the multi-year sponsorship agreement,  the Burnaby-headquartered gaming and entertainment operator will have the right to use NFL trademarks in the country in North America to ‘promote its properties and activate around key NFL events including the NFL Draft, Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl.’

According to the official press release, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Gateway, Carrie Kormos, said…

“We are thrilled to partner with the NFL in Canada as their first Canadian Land-Based Casino Partner. We know there are millions of football fans across Canada and to be able to offer exclusive, unique experiences to them at our properties is very exciting, This comes at such an exciting time as the NFL is celebrating 100 years of football this season and we look forward to celebrating with them as a new partner in Canada.”

Help accelerate business:

Managing Director for NFL Canada, David Thompson, added…

“NFL Canada is truly proud to be working with Gateway to collaborate and help accelerate its business in Canada. Like the NFL and our players, Gateway sets itself apart in the market through unparalleled teamwork and commitment to excellence, which makes our new partnership so powerful in Canada.”

Sponsorship focus:

To begin with NFL Fantasy Draft, the sponsorship will focus on the operator offering customers unique experiences throughout its casino and food and beverage properties, making its Gateway and MATCH Eatery & Public House locations the ultimate game day destination. Customers and football fans will be able to enjoy all of the excitement throughout the NFL’s 100th season through to Super Bowl LIV. From the minute they step foot into the venue, football fans can look forward to a fully immersive experience including interactive game day decor, exclusive promotions and one-of-a-kind opportunities to meet current and former players.

Planned marquee events:

To get everyone prepared for the season and to officially launch the partnership, Gateway has planned several marquee events this month including The Official Kickoff Tailgate Party on August 22, Gateway’s NFL Fantasy Football Draft, August 8 to September 6, 2019, Gateway’s NFL Pick’Em Pool – Beginning on September 5, and Run For The Money Kiosk Promotion*, August 28 to October 27 , 2019.

IEG findings:

Earlier this year, Chicago-based sponsorship consulting and valuation firm, IEG, announced that marketing spend on this season’s edition of the NFL increased by some 5.1 percent year-on-year to reach $1.39 billion thanks in part to a rise in the value of deals the sport inked with firms involved in casinos and sportsbetting.

Ceasars/NFL tie-up:

Within months of the United States Supreme Court’s invalidation of the federal prohibition on sportsbetting known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the NFL announced that it had signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), making the Las Vegas-based gaming giant the first-ever Official Casino Sponsor of the professional American football league.

The gaming and hospitality corporation founded in 1937 has relationships with seven NFL Clubs, including the Oakland Raiders (soon to be the Las Vegas Raiders), Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles,  New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens.