Jets ink multiyear gaming deal with MGM Resorts

The New York Jets are doubling down on their gaming sponsorships.

Woody Johnson’s team announced Wednesday it has named MGM Resorts International its official gaming partner.

This comes as the team is set to announce a signed sponsorship deal with online casino operator 888 Holdings this week and is still searching for a fantasy gaming partner, sources close to the situation said.

The multiyear agreement with MGM Resorts marks the most comprehensive and integrated gaming partnership in the NFL so far.

“We could not be more excited to join with the New York Jets for a first-of-its-kind partnership in the NFL,” said MGM Resorts Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Murren.

The MGM deal includes the introduction of the mobile app game “I Called It.” The game is designed for Jets fans, allowing users to play for free so the Jets can stay in compliance with the NFL’s policy of not advertising sports betting sites, reports say.

This season the NFL reversed a longstanding ban on casino advertising, a move that came in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in May that struck down a federal ban on sports betting.

At the same time, NFL rules still forbid the advertising of sports-betting sites with exceptions made for fantasy-sports sites at NFL stadiums and on its broadcasts.

The ads for 888.com — the gambling site operated by 888 Holdings — come close to advertising sports betting, critics say.

During last Sunday’s Jets-Bears game, the ads did not mention 888sport, the company’s sports betting site.

The 888.com site has links to sports betting, poker and casino portals.

The Jets did not return calls for this story.