San Francisco 49ers Partner with Foliatti Casino in Mexico for Gaming Expansion

Posted on: November 2, 2023, 01:59h. 

Last updated on: November 3, 2023, 01:01h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The San Francisco 49ers have named their first “Official Casino Partner” in Mexico, as the National Football League (NFL) and its franchises continue their global outreach efforts.

San Francisco 49ers casino partner Foliatti
San Francisco 49ers player Fred Warner waives a Mexican flag prior to the team’s NFL game played in Mexico City against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 21, 2022. The 49ers this week announced Foliatti Casino as its “Official Casino Partner” in Mexico. (Image: X)

On Thursday, the 49ers announced a multiyear partnership with Foliatti Casino, a Mexico-based casino brand. Foliatti owns and operates three casinos in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and the State of Mexico, plus online gaming. The company is owned by Grupo CECOM.

The partnership makes Foliatti Casino the presenting sponsor of the team’s free-to-play “Lucky Six” game on the 49ers’ Spanish website, 49ers.com/esp. The weekly contest provides fans with the opportunity to win prizes, such as official team merchandise. Following the Foliatti marketing deal, “Lucky Six” winners will also be able to win gaming credits redeemable at one of the three casinos, or online.

Our collaboration with Foliatti Casino represents an exciting milestone as the first partnership of its kind,” said Ryan Connors, the 49ers’ senior director of partnerships. “We’re thrilled to be pioneering this path with an authentic Mexican brand … and grateful that it will enable us to engage with new communities in Mexico and provide unique experiences for 49ers Faithful across the country.”

Along with sponsoring the “Lucky Six” promotion, Foliatti Casino will be the presenting sponsor of the 49ers’ Official Watch Party events in Mexico.

Casino Partners

The San Francisco 49ers partnering with Foliatti Casino is the NFL team’s first gaming agreement south of the border. The franchise has other U.S.-based casino partnerships with California Tribes.

In 2019, the Niners reached a marketing pact with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Tribe’s Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, Calif. The Cache Creek Club inside Levi’s Stadium, where the 49ers play their home games, is located inside the northwest field tunnel between the visiting locker room and the field entrance. Access to the Cache Creek Casino Club is reserved for ticketholders of north-end zone field seats.

The 49ers also have a marketing deal in place with the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians and the Tribe’s Black Oak Casino Resort. The Black Oak Casino Resort Club inside Levi’s Stadium is a private gathering space, with two fireplaces and two bars. The facility is available for private events.

Both Tribal casino partnerships allow the Cache Creek and Black Oak casinos to advertise throughout the stadium, which is in Santa Clara, as well as in-stadium materials like game day programs.

Since sports betting remains illegal in California, the 49ers, unlike many other NFL teams in legal sports betting states, don’t have any sportsbook partnerships.

International Focus

The NFL is the most popular sport in the U.S., but the league is looking to increase its popularity internationally. Though football is also popular in Mexico, the game trails traditional fútbol (soccer) in overall interest.

The 49ers are targeting Mexico to grow the team’s global popularity. A year ago this month, San Francisco played a Monday Night Football game in Mexico against the Arizona Cardinals, another NFL team with a significant presence in Mexico.

The 49ers-Cardinals game was played at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Arizona dominated in a 34-13 victory.

The NFL earlier this year reworked its international development initiative with a new identity called the “Global Markets Program.” The scheme allows teams to apply for rights to select international markets by submitting proposals to the NFL International Committee. Clubs are awarded five-year rights to pursue activities in their international markets.

Mexico is a designated market for the 49ers. The Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers have also been approved to directly target Mexico.