Hard Rock Bet, Florida’s sole legal online sportsbook, has teamed up with one of the state’s beloved establishments, Duffy’s Sports Grill. The sportsbook, operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, announced its new partnership on Thursday, marking Duffy’s 30 locations as Official Game Day Partners of Hard Rock Bet.
Duffy’s Sports Grill, a Florida staple renowned for its two-for-one drinks available all day, every day, as well as its mouth-watering burgers, wings, and extensive draft list, has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly four decades. Known for its lively atmosphere and numerous televisions broadcasting live sports, Duffy’s brings its sports-centric environment to this new collaboration.
“With a communal sports atmosphere and the passionate fandom of its loyal MVPs, Duffy’s Sports Grill is a perfect complement to Hard Rock Bet. We’re excited to roll with Duffy’s Sports Grill as an official game day partner of Hard Rock Bet, and look forward to driving player engagement and loyalty at their 30 Florida locations,” said Nick Menas, Head of Partnerships at Hard Rock Bet.
The partnership promises “exclusive in-person engagements” at Duffy’s during major live sporting events. A release on the collaboration highlighted that combining Duffy’s legendary gameday experience with the convenience of Hard Rock Bet’s online betting app results in “one incredible watch party.”
This strategic alliance comes as the Seminole Tribe solidifies its hold on sports gambling in Florida through a Class III compact reached with Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021. Despite legal challenges, the tribe secured exclusive rights to online sports betting after courts upheld that wagers would not violate the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) as long as the sportsbooks’ computer servers remained on sovereign land. Consequently, Hard Rock Bet resumed its online sportsbook operations in Florida on November 7, 2023.
Even though Hard Rock Bet faces no legal competition, the sportsbook brand continues to invest in sponsorship deals to boost its mobile betting presence. September saw Hard Rock Bet become the Official Sportsbook of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, granting the sportsbook the rights to use the team’s likeness in advertising and offer unique experiences at EverBank Stadium. Additionally, in August, Hard Rock Bet enlisted rap superstar Post Malone for a commercial campaign titled “Roll With Us,” airing in multiple states, including Florida, where the sportsbook operates.
