Hard Rock Digital’s sports betting platform Hard Rock Bet has become the official sportsbook partner of NHL team the Florida Panthers. The multi-year partnership is the first of its kind for the Panthers and will include both online and land-based sports betting at the Amerant Bank Arena.
Hard Rock Bet is the only legal sportsbook in Florida and is operated by the Seminole Tribe. The Tribe has seen itself face several disputes in Florida due to debates surrounding online sports betting, with some suggesting the Tribe’s sports betting compact, which was signed in 2021, has created a gaming monopoly in the state. Despite this, Florida’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Tribe.
This latest partnership will officially kick off on April 10 at the team's game against the Ottawa Senators. The launch is expected to include on-site activations, digital branding and other activities, with online enhancements expected to be launched on-site and online in the 2024-25 season.
On the partnership, Hard Rock Digital Managing Director Nick Menas said, “We’re excited to join Panthers Territory and partner with the club to bring hockey fans closer to the action.”
Florida Panthers Chief Revenue Officer Shawn Thornton added, “We are thrilled to enter into an exciting new partnership with Hard Rock Bet. Through this partnership, we will increase fan engagement and excitement around the game of hockey in South Florida and beyond by adding an entirely new element to the game.”
Several other operators have partnered with the NHL in the past several months, with Fanatics partnering with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes in January in the lead-up to the legalization of sports betting in the state. Caesars also partnered with the NHL in March in a multi-year deal that will see league-themed games available on the operator's site.
