Major League Baseball (MLB) officials have loosened some of the restrictions that barred baseball teams from making any kind of deal with a gambling business. For a very long time, this was a touchy subject for baseball since the huge “Black Sox” gambling scandal back in 1919. As recently as the 80s, stars like Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were frowned upon and banned for associating too closely with Atlantic City casinos.

“That’s sort of a reflection that baseball understands that if things are done intelligently, they don’t impact the integrity of the game and they can still generate revenue for the team,” said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers’ executive VP for business operations.

“We are following all MLB guidelines,” Schlesinger said. “They’re detailed, and we’re following them. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to see them relaxed, but the reality is they have been relaxed throughout the years. Baseball has a sensitivity, understandably, to gambling. I think now in the 21st century, I think teams are mature enough and the environment is such that teams can have close sponsorships and partnerships with casinos.”

The team still has to walk a tightrope to a certain degree even though restrictions have been relaxed. They aren’t allowed to do any promotions directly tying the team to gambling and probably the gaming aspect will be downplayed. If the team does any direct promoting for the Potawatomi Bingo Casino it will emphasize the casino’s theater and restaurant rather than gaming.

The sponsorship agreement is a multi-year contract but the Brewers are not discussing the specific financial terms agreed up on in the deal. Having acquired sponsorship from the Potawatomi Bingo Casino will help replace the loss of Mercedes-Benz which did not renew it’s sponsorship of the team.