MGM NFL competitor partner for gambling bets: Report

A new professional football league aimed at competing with the NFL will partner with MGM to offer in-game betting via a proprietary digital gaming application, according to a report released Monday.

The Alliance of American Football, due to start playing next February, has created an app that will allow bettors to watch and play games in real time, ESPN's Darren Rovell reported. League players will use portable devices to track game data, such as sprint speed, which will allow more accurate odds and unique bets.

In addition to hosting the gaming application, MGM is one of the most promising investors. At present, the application is only legal in two states: New Jersey and Nevada.

Since all eight teams scheduled by the AAF will belong to the league, the officials will not be subject to the concerns of the players' unions regarding misused personal data that have prevented the wearable technology in other leagues like the NBA and MLB. Unions largely oppose the tracking of player data, citing the potential negative implications of privacy.

The Supreme Court overturned a long-standing federal ban on sports betting last May. States can now introduce legislation to legalize sports betting on a case-by-case basis.

The NFL is among several professional sports leagues that have called on Congress to introduce a regulatory framework for sports betting at the federal level.

The AAF is one of two new leagues looking to challenge the NFL's domination of the sport. The XFL, a league backed by WWE President Vince McMahon, is expected to start playing in 2020.