A legal sports betting company is entering the professional sports league market.
Circa Sports has been named a founding partner of SlamBall League — a basketball-centric sports and entertainment property that originally debuted in 1999. SlamBall relaunched in July 2023 with ESPN as its TV partner. Circa Sports joins beef jerky and smoked snacks maker Old Trapper as a founding partner.
“We have always believed that SlamBall was a tailor-made property for sports gambling, and Circa Sports coming on at this early juncture further validates and expedites this critical part of our business plan,” said SlamBall co-creator and CEO Mason Gordon.
As a founding partner, Circa Sports will provide betting lines for the entire 2023 SlamBall season. In June, SlamBall and ESPN agreed to a two-year broadcast deal. The league’s partnership with ESPN includes the airing of more than 40 hours of SlamBall programming.
SlamBall has investors that include HBSE’s David Blitzer and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin.
Expanding portfolio
Circa Sports has already launched online betting sites in Colorado and Iowa with plans to bring its offerings to Illinois later this year.
The gaming operator has also invested in its retail sports betting options. In 2020, the company opened Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas which features the world’s largest sportsbook. The three-story facility has a 1,000-person capacity with a 78 million-pixel screen. Circa Sports also operates the D Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The entertainment destination in downtown Las Vegas also features a brick-and-mortar sportsbook powered by Circa Sports betting lines.
