Big news emerged from the esports betting front earlier this month when it was announced that SIS Content Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Information Services (SIS), had entered into an agreement to offer H2HGlobal Gaming League (H2HGGL) games on the Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
Through the newly formed partnership, a milestone in the expansion of esports gaming, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook players will have access to over 225,000 short-form H2HGGL eBasketball and eSoccer games annually via a dynamic betting and streaming experience that expands the league’s footprint in the U.S.
Jon Chapper, Senior Director, Communications, for Hard Rock Bet, said that with the announcement, “Hard Rock Bet is continuing to grow its innovative betting portfolio with the addition of expanded esports offerings, delivering exciting new ways for players to engage with fast-paced, always-on content”.
“Currently, Hard Rock Bet offers eSoccer and eBasketball, matchups through partnerships with Sportradar’s GT and SIS’s GG Leagues,” he continued. “These titles, built on popular franchises like NBA 2K and EA Sports FC, provide quick-hitting action with matches lasting just minutes – perfect for fans looking for live, year-round betting opportunities.”
H2HGGL is the first esports betting product to be awarded the eSports Integrity Commission’s (ESIC) Gold Standard, the highest accreditation for trust and high-integrity esports content
This accreditation carries significant weight because the largest esports betting survey conducted in collaboration with Loadout and GWI (a global consumer research platform) among 6,000 respondents world-wide identified the integrity of esports as one of three “betting blockers” contributing to the hesitancy among players to bet on esports.
H2HGGL features a line-up of professional gamers whose matchups are streamed with ultra-low latency which paves the way to numerous pre-match and in-play betting markets and prices, with over 35 markets per match.
SIS has occupied a dominant position in the delivery of live video and data to the global betting industry for nearly 40 years.
The company partners with betting operators worldwide, with over 400 customers in more than 50 countries.
SIS Content Services, Inc. was created in 2021 to provide U.S. sportsbook operators with full turnkey solutions of real-time data and video feeds for SIS’s portfolio of esports competitive gaming events and over 60,000 horse and greyhound racing events.
The agreement with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, which marks the launch of H2H Global Gaming League into its 15th U.S. state, validates SIS’s position as a leading global supplier of value-adding, high-quality, round-the-clock sports betting content.
“As Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook is rapidly growing, we are thrilled that our premium esports content will provide their players with continual captivating entertainment,” said Michele Fischer, Vice President, SIS Content Services.
Chapper explained that “Esports is a natural extension of Hard Rock Bet’s mission to offer compelling entertainment to a wide range of audiences”.
“With its unique crossover appeal, esports attracts both traditional sports fans and a new generation of players who grew up immersed in gaming,” he added. “Unlike seasonal sports, esports delivers constant content, keeping fans entertained during sporting off-seasons and complementing existing favorites.”
Hard Rock Bet is Florida’s only legal sportsbook and also offers sports betting in eight other markets nationwide, primarily following the footprint of Hard Rock’s brick and mortar properties.
According to Jake Nowry, Sales and Business Development Manager, SIS Content Services: “Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook’s innovative approach to sports betting makes them an ideal partner for our fast-paced, high-integrity, esports content. I am especially excited to introduce the H2HGGL to a new audience.”
SIS proclaims its mission is to maximize value for sportsbooks by creating short form betting events “which have a high frequency throughout the day and help increase betting turnover and dwell time for both retail and online operators anywhere in the world”.
The company identifies competitive gaming as a lucrative opportunity for sportsbooks to leverage sports sims, “a rapidly growing industry with significant revenue potential”.
Neil Walsh, Senior Vice President, Sportsbook, at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, is excited about the partnership with SIS.
“We can now bring this premium offering to Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook and augment our always-on streaming entertainment,” Walsh said. “The addition of H2H Global Gaming League expands our already deep markets and esports offering, reinforcing our commitment to delivering innovative, engaging experiences that players can rely on around the clock.”
Chapper acknowledged that esports fans are already consuming content of their favorite gamers. He said that with Hard Rock Bet, “They can now stream and bet on the action, providing another engagement opportunity through our dynamic in-app experience.
“Hard Rock Bet is always on the lookout for what’s next, whether it’s additional esports offerings or another way to engage new audiences on our top-rated app,” he said. “In doing so, we are hoping to further broaden Hard Rock Bet’s appeal, connecting players to the world’s most popular competitive gaming experiences while enhancing the overall sportsbook offering. By embracing esports, Hard Rock Bet continues to innovate and deliver entertainment that reflects how today’s fans want to play, watch, and engage.”
