With the largest daily fantasy sports market in the U.S., Californians have established a taste for sports betting. And in many instances, Yahoo Sports is their go-to app. Come November, Yahoo Sports is well positioned should Proposition 27 pass.
If voters approve Prop 27, Yahoo Sports players – both free and premium – will likely see BetMGM betting opportunities pop up, said Yahoo Sports GM Geoff Reiss.
Prop. 27 is one of two California sports betting initiatives on November’s ballot. It would legalize online sports wagering in California. The competing measure, Proposition 26, would allow only in-person sports betting at California tribal casinos and select racetracks.
Sides are being drawn for and against the two initiatives. Most California tribes support Prop. 26. Major sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings naturally back Prop. 27. Attack ads from both CA sports betting propositions have already started.
It makes sense that Yahoo Sports, based in San Jose, would back Prop. 27 as well. As a leader in daily fantasy sports (DFS), millions of fantasy players could potentially become real-life sports bettors on the app.
Promos players can expect if Prop. 27 passes
Historically, BetMGM has offered similar promotional offers in all the states where it is partnered with Yahoo Sports. Here’s a look at a couple to give California bettors an idea of what to expect if Prop. 27 passes.
- A bonus first bet up to $1,000 with no deposit required
- Bet on any one NFL, NHL, MLB or NBA game up to $1,000. A loss will be refunded in site credit
- Bet $10, win $200
- NFL promo offered to new bettors who place at least a $10 bet on the money line for an NFL game. Losers receive a $200 bonus if either team scores a touchdown. A no-brainer.
- BetMGM bettors referred by Yahoo are eligible for $25 credit in paid DFS contests or paid leagues
The second promo was offered to Louisiana bettors when sports betting went live there. California bettors will almost certainly have access to the first promo. BetMGM has offered it in every state where it’s gone live.
Could CA casinos host fantasy championship?
Thunder Valley Casino Resort, a Northern California casino owned by MGM, could be a candidate for a Yahoo Fantasy Sports Championship.
Last December, MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino in Oxon Hill, Md., hosted Yahoo’s first iteration of a fantasy football championship. Sixty Yahoo fantasy sports winners attended the championship, which offered more than $100,000 in prizes.
Thunder Valley sits 150 miles north of Yahoo Sports’ home base. With their continued interest in immersive experiences that bridge the gap between fantasy sports and sports betting, Yahoo Sports could tap their local MGM affiliate for upcoming fantasy contests.
80% of Yahoo Sports users make transition
The Yahoo Sports and BetMGM partnership began in 2019. It led to the integration of the Yahoo Sports mobile app with the BetMGM sports betting app. The merge helped Reiss pursue the goal of “balancing compelling content with sports betting opportunities to deliver a single destination where fans of all levels can enjoy our sports coverage and get the inside information and the tools they need to wager on BetMGM.”
The company says that in the 18 states (plus Washington D.C.) where the partnership is in place, around 80% of sports bettors have come over from Yahoo Sports’ DFS world.
Reiss sees this as part of the “user journey.” The platforms work together to give users the sports analysis, engagement and sports betting opportunities they want. DFS players, for example, have resonated with prop bet offerings pitched to them through the app. Multi-entry contests have also had solid turnout for the platform.
