To get its share of the online sports betting market, Wynn Resorts has launched a $100 million marketing campaign, according to The Street. On August 30, Wynn debuted a new TV ad directed by and starring actor Ben Affleck and basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, a brand ambassador for the company’s app, WynnBet.
The commercial spots show Affleck and actor Melvin Gregg’s journey to the sportsbook at Wynn Las Vegas, where they interact with Shaq and other sports betting enthusiasts on the casino floor. An extended cut version runs 2:20. The commercial will air along with elements integrated throughout the WynnBet app.
Affleck picked Gregg, his co-star in the sports drama, “The Way Back.” The actor will also serve as a strategic consultant for Wynn.
“Our new campaign brings the WynnBet experience to life—the marquee talent, the connection to Wynn Las Vegas and the excitement of betting with WynnBet,” Wynn Interactive CEO Craig Billings said. “Every detail of this shoot was carefully considered, and Ben did a great job hand-picking the cast and crew as well as developing the characters to capture the fun involved with winning together.”
The WynnBet app lets players interact with friends and other players. Wynn may purchase a spot during the Super Bowl.
WynnBet expects to become a new partner with the NFL, along with BetMGM, PointsBet and FOX Bet, according to Bloomberg.
Wynn is not alone in its expensive pursuit of new customers with a big splash.
- Caesars Entertainment will pay more than a $1 billion over the next 2 1/2 years to advertise for new online customers.
- MGM extended its campaign with Jamie Foxx. “We operate in a very crowed, competitive landscape,” said Matt Prevost, chief revenue officer for BetMGM. “Some consumers will gravitate toward a big headline number.”
- FanDuel and DraftKings spent $311 million on television ads in 2020, some three times more than in 2019. “NFL is basically like our holiday season,” DraftKings CEO Jason Robins told analysts earlier this month. “It’s when we acquire the most new players and reactivate large portions of the player base.”
