Minnesota Vikings Team with SharpLink Gaming to Offer NFL Fans Free Fantasy-Style “Pass or Play” Mobile Gaming Experience

Rhea-AI Summary

SharpLink Gaming Ltd. (Nasdaq: SBET) has partnered with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings for the third year to launch a free-to-play online game, Pass or Play. This fantasy-style game allows fans to create a weekly team and compete for prizes throughout the regular season. With over 60 million Americans participating in online fantasy games, SharpLink aims to enhance fan engagement despite Minnesota's current restrictions on online sports betting. CEO Rob Phythian highlighted the company’s expertise in gamification as vital for connecting fans to sports betting.

Positive

• Continued partnership with Minnesota Vikings enhances brand visibility.
• Launch of 'Pass or Play' taps into large market of 60 million fantasy gaming participants.
• Strengthens fan engagement through innovative digital experiences.

Negative

• Online sports betting remains illegal in Minnesota, limiting potential market expansion.

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SharpLink Gaming Ltd. (Nasdaq: SBET) (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), a pioneer of game-changing technological solutions and experienced-based services for the U.S. online sports betting industry, today announced that the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings have again teamed with SharpLink to provide its valued super fans with a fun, free-to-play, fantasy-style online game called Pass or Play.

For the third consecutive year, Pass or Play challenges fans to create their own team each week and join a group with friends, co-workers or other NFL fans. Game participants will need to set a new line-up chosen from three cards dealt for each position, keeping the player dealt or taking the chance on the next two cards to choose another. Players can come back every day for new cards if they previously passed on all three cards for any given position. Once game day arrives, the player’s line-up is set, earning points similar to traditional fantasy games. Participants compete for fun prizes each week awarded by sponsor Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel and the Minnesota Vikings through the entire regular season.

Fans can play on the Viking’s website or via the team’s mobile app available for download in both the App Store and Google Play.

Scott Kegley, Executive Director of Digital Media and Innovation at the Minnesota Vikings, stated, “We have an incredible fan base that spans the globe. By offering free-to-play games like Pass or Play, we can engage our fans through our mobile app throughout the week, leading up to game day. We’re excited to continue working with SharpLink on Pass or Play for the third consecutive season. It’s a game we feel is best-in-class, blending luck and skill, and engaging our fans that crave this type of gaming experience.”

“With more than 60 million Americans actively playing free-to-play fantasy style games and contests online last year, digital gamification of real time sports has become a must-have fan engagement tool by sports media publishers, leagues and teams,” noted SharpLink CEO Rob Phythian. “Moreover, our team’s 15+ years of experience and expertise in designing, developing, testing, hosting and managing fantasy games and online sports betting make it easy for sports leagues to reach and interact with their fans in multiple ways – from traditional fantasy games to full geo-targeted betting integrations. While Minnesota has not yet legalized online sports betting – and may not in the foreseeable future – creating innovative and fun gaming experiences for millions of Vikings fans is hugely rewarding for us, particularly given that the team represents SharpLink’s home state of Minnesota. Skol!”

About SharpLink Gaming Ltd.

Founded in 2019 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, SharpLink is a leading online technology company that connects sports fans, leagues and sports websites to relevant and timely sports betting content. SharpLink uses proprietary, intelligent, online conversion technology to convert sports fans into sports bettors for licensed, online sportsbook operators. SharpLink's intelligent C4 Sports Betting Conversion Platform delivers and determines the best sportsbook betting offers and experience for each identified user. Using sophisticated, AI-enabled behavioral modeling and tracking technologies, and by analyzing user's past and present behaviors, we serve sports fans with personalized betting offers specifically tied to each fan's favorite sports, teams and players. Additionally, SharpLink specializes in helping sports media companies develop strategies, products and innovative solutions to drive deep customer engagement with highly interactive sports games and mobile applications. SharpLink is run by industry veterans with several successful exits in the sports gaming sector. For more information, please visit the SharpLink website at www.sharplink.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the expected growth in the online betting industry, the Company’s ability to grow its business, the potential benefits of the Company’s products, services and technologies and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to achieve profitable operations, government regulation of online betting, customer acceptance of new products and services, the effects of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and future measures taken by authorities in the countries in which we operate our operations, the demand for our products and our customers' economic condition, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the lengthy sales cycle, proprietary rights of the Company and its competitors, general economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company's annual report and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS:
SharpLink Gaming, Inc.
Dodi Handy, Director of Communications
Tel: 407-960-4636
Email: ir@sharplink.com

FOR MEDIA RELATIONS:
Hot Paper Lantern
Michael Adorno, Vice President, Communications
Phone: 212-931-6143
Email: madorno@hotpaperlantern.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c18b8fe8-0b33-4c5c-837e-6c0f06f7699d

FAQ

What is SharpLink Gaming's partnership with the Minnesota Vikings?

SharpLink Gaming has partnered with the Minnesota Vikings to offer a free-to-play online game called 'Pass or Play' for the third consecutive year.

What is the game 'Pass or Play' about?

The game challenges fans to create their own teams weekly and compete for fun prizes throughout the NFL season.

How does 'Pass or Play' enhance fan engagement?

The game engages fans through a mobile app and website, providing them with a fun, interactive experience leading up to game day.

How many Americans play online fantasy games?

Over 60 million Americans actively played free-to-play fantasy style games and contests online last year.

What challenges does SharpLink Gaming face in Minnesota?

SharpLink faces challenges due to the lack of legalized online sports betting in Minnesota, limiting their market opportunities.