DraftKings is prepared to help the NBA capitalize on legal sports wagers.  The U.S.-based sports gambling and daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator announced last week that it had signed new partnerships with several NBA teams as it continues to capture the basketball betting market.  The Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers and the Philadelphia 76ers are now playing ball with DraftKings.

The relationship between the pro basketball league and the operator dates back several years.  DraftKings had signed up two NBA teams – the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings – in 2015 and moved forward with additional deals.  The biggest of these was the agreement signed last November between the league and the company that paved the way for DraftKings to become an authorized sports gambling partner.

With a tight relationship between the two entities, it’s no surprise that DraftKings is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.  Ezra Kucharz, the company’s chief business officer, said in an announcement about the new partnerships, “It is with great enthusiasm that we announce these multi-year partnerships with the Celtics, 76ers, and Pacers. The NBA represents DraftKings’ second-most-popular sport, and we are thrilled to offer our fanbase a continually unique and authentic sports gaming product.  Each of these partnerships [represents] a common strategy and stress the importance NBA teams and DraftKings place on fan engagement and overall customer experience.”

Because sports gambling laws vary from state to state, each partnership had to be meticulously drawn up and scrutinized to ensure it wouldn’t be in violation of any laws.  The deal with the Celtics is only for fantasy sports since Massachusetts, the state the team calls home, has still not legalized sports wagers.  However, DraftKings becomes the team’s Official DFS partner and will be able to offer various marketing promotions.