Maryland Sports Properties, a Playfly Sports property, announced Wednesday the signing of a multi-year partnership with PointsBet USA.

The agreement is the first sports betting partnership within the Big Ten Conference and will feature fan-facing in-game and campus activations in and around Maryland’s XFINITY Center and Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium, in addition to strategic responsible and problem gambling education to Maryland staff, students, and fans. The partnership will also include a philanthropic component, which will be announced at a later date.

PointsBet is recognized as a market leader for its responsible gambling efforts, and the partnership with Maryland Athletics will emphasize and create awareness around responsible gambling and sports betting education. In 2020, PointsBet made history becoming the first-ever sports betting operator to partner alongside an NCAA Power 5 athletic department with the University of Colorado Buffaloes.

“Investing in the University of Maryland athletics program expands our ability to impact local communities and the greater DMV region while also connecting PointsBet with alumni that remain actively involved in reverence to their alma mater,” said PointsBet USA CEO Johnny Aitken. “Sports betting education and safe gambling is key to our long-term strategy, as is making a tangible impact on the communities we invest in. We are proud to work with such a high-profile, storied university to further these objectives.”  

“With the announcement of our partnership with PointsBet through Maryland Sports Properties and Playfly Sports, we are looking forward to raising awareness and educating our student-athlete and University community about responsible gambling,” said Maryland Executive Associate Athletic Director and Chief Strategy Officer Brian Ullmann. “Maryland Athletics continues to lead boldly with the first deal of its kind in the Big Ten Conference and in the region.”

The partnership between Maryland and PointsBet is the latest gaming sponsorship deal for Playfly Sports in a string of similar deals being activated for the 2021-22 academic year. In addition to in-arena activations and commercial assets, PointsBet will be featured across Maryland’s digital channels and sports radio network broadcasts. 

“Playfly Sports is a proud partner of Maryland Athletics and we are constantly seeking innovative opportunities to engage new sponsors,” said Craig Sloan, COO at Playfly Sports Properties. “Maryland’s relationship with PointsBet will elevate both brands, while strategically enhancing the rooting experience for fans, alumni and local communities.”