The NFL is doubling down on its relationship with the sports betting industry. The league announced Thursday that DraftKings and FanDuel have renewed multiyear partnerships, while Fanatics has joined them as an official sportsbook partner heading into the 2026 season. The agreements give the sportsbooks access to official NFL data, advertising opportunities during games and rights to use league and team trademarks.

The partnerships also come with closer collaboration between the NFL and sportsbooks on the types of bets offered, intelligence sharing, sports integrity and responsible gambling initiatives. The NFL specifically said it opposes wagers involving officiating, injuries and other situations that could be known in advance or manipulated by a single individual.

Still, the NFL's close relationship with sportsbooks remains a controversial subject among many bettors. Some gamblers are skeptical of professional leagues having financial relationships with the same companies taking wagers on their games, particularly when those sportsbooks receive access to official league data and advertising directly inside broadcasts.

The NFL, however, maintains that integrity is the foundation of its approach to legalized sports betting. The league says official data is central to monitoring the market and ensuring sportsbooks follow its integrity standards. For the NFL, the partnerships represent another major revenue opportunity and a way to maintain control over how betting integrates with the sport.