The University of Denver has become the second college in Colorado to tie an alliance with a sports betting operator, in this case – SuperBook.
Colorado Welcomes More College Sports Betting Partnerships
Gambling and college sports have always had a fraught relationship. Even in many of the 28+ regulated states in the US, betting on college competitions remains taboo. Yet, for Colorado’s sports betting industry, teaming up with sports betting entities is not something to be shunned but rather embraced.
As it turns out, the University of Denver’s athletic department is the second college-level entity to have teamed up with a sports betting company. According to educators and lawmakers, this is a way to safeguard the integrity of sports and ensure responsible gambling on the collegiate level.
The University of Denver has signed up a partnership with SuperBook Sports, a Las Vegas-located operator that has both online and in-person wagering options in the state of Colorado. While the Pioneers, as the NCAA Division I school’s athletic department is known, have not been big on football or basketball, they have done very well in ice hockey and skiing.
DU vice chancellor for athletics Karlton Creech was happy to see the partnership come to fruition as sports betting is now important to fans of the team and the athletic department as well. While no financial details have been revealed, the school will work on a variety of initiatives with SuperBook, including social media, hospitality, and branding opportunities.
SuperBook Isn’t the Only Game in Town
Colorado is definitely making strides insofar as the successful partnerships between sports betting and colleges go. DU is not the only educational facility that has agreed to team up with a gambling entity.
In fact, PointsBet already beat everyone else to the punch by setting up an alliance with the University of Colorado, contributing some $1.6 million to the university’s coffers as a result. Yet, SuperBook is looking to build even more momentum in the Centennial State and its partnership with an institution of higher learning is the right way forward.
Commenting on these events, SuperBook VP for race and sports operations Jay Kornegay simply said: “Opening the SuperBook in Colorado as our first expansion market has exceeded our expectations. We couldn’t be happier that we’ve grown our presence by partnering with such a respected university and athletics program.”
More College Football for Sports Gambling in the US
As Colorado is making strides into the college sports gambling vertical, other operators, including Caesars Entertainment, are shaping up as proponents of the idea. The renowned gaming operator teamed up with the Fiesta Bowl to form a sports betting and fantasy betting-focused alliance.
Аs a result, Caesars will be able to host various flash-up betting facilities at the State Farm Stadium on the occasion of events such as PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and the Guaranteed Rate Bowl kept at Chase Field.
Colleges are seemingly more open to the idea of hosting sports betting partners as they have an opportunity to curb illegal gambling and drive additional revenue for their educational and athletic programs.