In the latest edition of The Industry Eye, Ed Pownall touched on the ‘shrewd’ news that US sports betting operator DraftKings has inked an agreement with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Under the terms of the deal, PFL’s proprietary SmartCage technology will be used to offer MMA, daily fantasy and sports betting fans a unique viewing and gaming experience. 

“Let’s start with DraftKings who have signed a deal with MMA’s Professional Fighters League,” Pownall said. “MMA is getting very big over the pond and the deal will see their odds broadcast on the ESPN network. Big news.”

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Moving back across to Europe, Pownall gave his take on the decision of the Swedish Financial Authority (Finansinspektionen) to withdraw their financial services for licensed operators.  

He noted: “Here’s a weird one – Sweden’s gaming commission claimed that all the major banks in the region are going to stop providing services to the licensed gaming operators. Now, somewhat obviously, this would ‘spiel’ – that’s Swedish for game – disaster for bookmakers over there.

“Surely, this won’t actually happen but it would be a very dangerous precedent to set if they did. Very dangerous indeed.”

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Back to sponsorship and US operator PointsBet has been designated as the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Korn Ferry Tour‘s TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes

“I don’t normally like short sponsorships like that because you really only have four days to promote yourself and golf is jolly expensive but PointsBet are themselves Colorado-based, and they’re seeing this as an opportunity to invest and participate in the local community,” Pownall explained. “That makes sense to me – fair way play.”

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Rounding off the latest episode in the series, Pownall expressed his bemusement at Flutter Entertainment’s nine-figure fine.

“Finally, the judges of Kentucky have slapped Flutter with a fine of $100,000,000!” he exclaimed. “Just when we thought our share prices were going to go through the roof, in comes the law!”

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