BetMGM rolled out a new contest tied to college basketball’s Players Era Championships. The operator’s tracking wagers through a leaderboard format during the tournament window.
Twenty-five users who finish at the top get a Vegas trip. MGM Resorts is hosting both the men’s and women’s championship events at its properties. BetMGM SVP of Sports Raymond Doyle called the tournaments “right in our Las Vegas backyard.”
The partnership makes sense. MGM Resorts owns both the casino properties and has stakes in BetMGM’s parent company.
Why Operators Keep Linking Bets to Live Events
This promotion connects betting directly to tournament attendance. Users don’t just win cash, they get tickets to watch the games they’re betting on.
BetMGM’s trying to stand out in a crowded market. Most sportsbook promos offer bonus bets or odds boosts. This one gives winners an actual experience, and it’s happening during a key stretch for college basketball betting.
“This promotion gives BetMGM players a chance to show off their skills for an up-close look at one of college basketball’s most exciting events,” Doyle said.
The timing matters too. College basketball season ramps up right as football winds down. Operators need hooks to keep users engaged.
What Users Need to Do to Win
The contest runs from October 20 through November 9. Users must opt in through BetMGM’s promotions tab first.
Every qualifying wager needs to be at least $10. Minimum odds are +100. The leaderboard awards points based on odds and whether bets win or lose.
Winners get tournament tickets to both championships. That’s the men’s and women’s events. Four nights at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino come with the package. Plus $1,500 in withdrawable funds for travel costs.
BetMGM’s settled on 25 winners instead of a single grand prize. More winners means more users think they’ve got a shot.
How This Shapes Operator Strategy
MGM Resorts SVP of Sports Lance Evans said the company stays “focused on delivering new-to-market programming.” That’s corporate speak for trying different approaches.
But the strategy’s clear. Use MGM’s Vegas properties to create betting promotions competitors can’t match. Most operators don’t own major tournament venues.
BetMGM’s also betting that experiential prizes work better than straight cash. Users might remember a Vegas trip longer than a $500 bonus that gets wagered away.
The college basketball angle helps too. It’s a growing betting market but doesn’t get the same attention as March Madness. Getting users engaged now builds habits for the bigger tournaments ahead.
Other operators will watch how this performs. If the leaderboard format drives significant handle, expect similar promotions tied to live events.
