For hockey fans, streaming games involving a wide array of the top teams in Canada and the United States can get costly. A new FanDuel NHL live stream deal can cut down that expense, however.
While not yet available to Coloradans, it’s a strong possibility that it could be soon. FanDuel is definitely coming to the Centennial State, and it could bring this opportunity with it.
Details of the FanDuel NHL live stream deal
On Monday, FanDuel announced it had reached an agreement with IMG Arena for NHL games. IMG Arena secured the rights to offer live streaming of games from the NHL last month.
The deal gives FanDuel customers who have a funded sportsbook account or who have placed a wager on a particular game the ability to live stream that game from the FanDuel mobile app for no additional charge. The partnership also limits such rights to states with legal wagering.
Another limitation that is important for bettors is they will only be able to stream games involving “out-of-market” teams. That restriction applies even if a bettor has placed a wager on the in-market game in question.
Nationally broadcast games, such as those on NBC or NBC Sports, will also be blacked out for these purposes. Again, placing a bet on such games will not lift that blackout.
That may be a significant downside for fans in markets with NHL teams. For example, Pittsburgh FanDuel Sportsbook users will be unable to stream Penguins games via the app.
While that’s a legitimate criticism of the program, the NHL has to honor its existing contracts with broadcast partners. Such contracts give those broadcasters exclusive rights to show games within teams’ local markets.
For hockey fans with broader betting interests than just the local team, however, this is a good value. FanDuel could offer streams of up to two games each regular-season day.
Why this is a great addition for hockey bettors
There’s no better way to follow your bets than watching the on-ice action as it plays out. Unless a bettor has access to an NHL Center Ice package, finding a live stream of games that feature the best odds could prove difficult.
As Colorado’s future legal sportsbooks aren’t pegging the Avalanche as a Stanley Cup favorite right now, some of the most attractive action will be on teams outside the Centennial State on a given day. This deal could allow Coloradans to watch those games.
Right now, the option only exists for FanDuel customers in Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Twin River Entertainment will bring FanDuel to Colorado eventually, however, perhaps as soon as May 1.
The state still seems on track to launch legal sportsbooks on the first day it can do so under the law, as it recently finalized regulations and approved its first seven licensees. While Twin River wasn’t among those initial licensees, it could receive approval in time for a May 1 launch.
Unfortunately, that will be too late to make this streaming product available to Colorado FanDuel customers this season. The 2019-20 NHL regular season ends on Saturday, April 4.
When the puck drops on the 2020-21 NHL season, however, this could be an option for FanDuel Sportsbook users in the Centennial State. It will be an immersive way for such bettors to follow their wagers.