MGM GVC Interactive LLC, the joint venture owned by MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings PLC, has partnered with the United Auburn Indian Community in a first-of-its-kind partnership for the joint venture in both California and with the Indian Community.  

The agreement follows the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), authorizing individual states to introduce legislation enabling intrastate sports betting.  As the operator of Thunder Valley Casino Resort, UAIC represents an ideal initial partner for MGM-GVC in California, providing access to the U.S.’s largest state by population, if and when state law permits sports betting.

“It is not yet clear if California will authorize sports betting or interactive games generally, but with the overturn of PASPA possibly opening the door for sports betting, our Tribe wants to be well-situated, and this agreement with the national leader in the field does just that,” said Gene Whitehouse, Chairman of UAIC.

Under the terms of the partnership, MGM-GVC would provide its iconic brands and proprietary technology to enable UAIC to offer retail and mobile sports betting and online casino and poker if and when any are permitted under state law.

For UAIC, the agreement aligns the Tribe with a best-in-class partner that brings unmatched brands, databases, professional sports league partnerships (including the recently announced partnership with the NBA) and unparalleled proprietary sports betting technology.

“We are excited to have a partner the caliber of UAIC as our first partner for MGM-GVC in Indian Country,” said MGM President of Interactive Gaming, Scott Butera.

Adam Greenblatt, GVC Director of Corporate Development and Strategy added, “We greatly admire the success the UAIC has had with its Thunder Valley Casino Resort, and look forward to adding to that success. The potential of this partnership is significant for MGM-GVC.”