Monumental Sports Network adds wagering via Play Anywhere and BetMGM partnership
Monumental Sports Network’s streaming app, Monumental+, is adding real-time sports betting odds and gamification during live game streams for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards.
The sports network announced today that it was adding the new features via a partnership with Play Anywhere and BetMGM.
It is the first local media rights holder to offer this type of interactive viewing experience outside of Las Vegas, and the first of its kind across the NBA.
Monumental + will offer wagering through its Monumental Game Center feature.
“At Monumental Sports & Entertainment, we pride ourselves on having a first-mover mentality and we are ecstatic to lead the way in creating an interactive, next-generation viewing experience for our fans,” said Monumental Sports & Entertainment President of Media and New Enterprises Zach Leonsis in a statement.
“Through this groundbreaking partnership with Play Anywhere and BetMGM, Monumental+ is bringing real-time sports betting and other engaging games to the heart of the action for Capitals and Wizards streams, providing an opt-in experience for viewers to connect with our live broadcasts. This innovative feature is designed to complement our high-quality programming while offering fans more ways to engage with fast-paced NBA and NHL action.”
Driven by Play Anywhere’s technology, the iviewing option is designed to be complementary to the streaming broadcast. Fans watching the experience will see in-game betting prompts and live odds from BetMGM, as well as interactive trivia questions and other features displayed via popups on their screen.
Within the M+ app streaming platform, viewers also will notice a control bar on the right side of their device with interactive features including:
- In-game player statistics
- Advanced game stats and play-by-play analysis
- Player bios and full-season stats
- League standings
- In-game polls, predictions, trivia questions, and other fun in the Monumental Game Center
“We are honored to partner with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to bring an enhanced viewing experience to NBA and NHL fans,” said Play Anywhere Chief Executive Officer Yaacov Ben-Yaacov. “This partnership continues to fortify Play Anywhere as a global standard for contextual interactivity for viewers, through gaming, e-commerce and sponsorship. We are excited to be working with the leagues to enable these new experiences through their rightsholder ecosystem.”
Live betting odds and other Monumental Game Center features will be available via streaming on the M+ app and will be seen only by fans who opt in to the experience. Betting will be limited to viewers 21 and over as verified by BetMGM’s age verification protocols.
Streamers will receive an opt-in prompt before odds are displayed, and fans interested in placing bets will be taken out of the M+ app and redirected to the BetMGM platform.
Viewers watching the linear broadcast will see little difference other than occasional in-game graphics offering a QR code directing to the Monumental Game Center second screen experience, which will enable the viewer to experience the same interactive features on their mobile phone.
“BetMGM is constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the fan experience and ‘go to where our customers are,’” said BetMGM Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost. “This partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment perfectly demonstrates how live odds integration can heighten the enjoyment of a game – and how we continue to raise the bar on technological innovation across sports.”
In-app gamification options will be available to M+ subscribers within the network’s footprint, including customers with access through their TV provider and subscribers to the network’s direct-to-consumer memberships. The interactive viewing experience will be available on all portable streaming devices including mobile, tablets, and computers, via iOS, Android, and web.
Users will be able to access the feature on connected TV devices later this season. Live betting and other in-game features will only be available for Capitals and Wizards games on Monument.
