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He may not be the most adored former player for New York Jets and Giants fans, but that doesn’t take away from the excitement boasted by FanDuel Casino on Thursday.
Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will take a seat at FanDuel’s Infinite Blackjack table ahead of the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Giants and Dallas Cowboys. Users can interact with the future hall of famer affectionately known as “Gronk” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The occasion represents another moment in time when NJ online casinos have hosted star NFL players in live dealer studios to connect with customers and fans of the game, no doubt reflecting a high demand for these types of interactions.
FanDuel to make Gronk available for FanDuel players
FanDuel is making Gronkowski available for the second time, some four months after the tight end first appeared, “showing continued investment in its casino brand,” FanDuel Casino NJ said in an email to PlayNJ.
North Jerseyans who are Giants and Jets fans can certainly have different opinions of the former tight end. Giants fans can brag about the two Super Bowls the franchise won over Gronkowski’s Patriots. Meanwhile, Jets fans can respectfully get back at the star for tormenting them in AFC East play. After all, Gronkowski’s teams went 13-3 against the Jets, as he produced 933 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Either way, the event is supposed to connect customers with NFL stars. FanDuel laid out what NJ online casino customers might expect on Thursday:
“As New Jersey players join the FanDuel Casino Infinite Blackjacktable virtually, Gronk will be participating by responding to players’ questions/comments in the chat box, interacting with the dealer, commenting on the excitement of the game, and giving out prizes throughout the hour. Prizes will include FanDuel Casino bonuses and Gronk Signed footballs.”
There are likely to be similar events in the near future.
Other operators using NFL stars to push iGaming product
FanDuel is not the first, and surely won’t be the last, to partner with current or former star athletes to help market online casino products. BetMGM Casino NJ did something along the same lines earlier this month.
The operator hosted a “Kickoff With The Stars” event prior to the season-opening kickoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens that featured former Jets stars Wayne Chrebet and Tony Richardson.
Live dealer games themselves are a unique experience in the online casino industry. However, when given a chance to interact with former NFL legends, that certainly ups the ante for players. Evolution partnered with BetMGM for this event, as North America CEO, Jacob Claesson, said last month:
“We’re extremely proud to support BetMGM as they continue to push the boundaries of live dealer gaming, and we look forward to welcoming new sports enthusiasts to discover the excitement and unique interactions that live dealer games provide.”
While New Jersey is one of the market leaders in the online casino industry, connecting sports fans with their favorite players gives them even more of an incentive to play live dealer games in the Garden State.
