The five-time World Series champion's home state of New Jersey is home to BetMGM, a top iGaming and sportsbook operator, and Derek Jeter is their newest teammate.

The member of the Baseball Hall of Fame was named the newest brand ambassador by the digital gambling company, which is owned by MGM Resorts International and Entain, on Monday.  Wayne Gretzky, Kevin Garnett, Jamie Foxx, and other athletes and celebrities have joined Jeter as BetMGM ambassadors.

"BetMGM’s commitment to excellence and overall approach help them stand out as an innovator in their space,” Jeter said on the pact. “They have worked hard to create a real community in their audience. I look forward to working with their team to build connections within their base of players and support the company’s continued growth.”

In the position, Jeter will appear in a BetMGM slot machine online game.  As of right now, no legitimate iGaming business offers an interactive slot machine with a current or former Major League Baseball player.  Jeter now owns 4% of the Miami Marlins.

Brand Ambassadors for BetMGM 

BetMGM appears to be paying Jeter, who played for the New York Yankees for his entire 20-year career, a substantial sum to promote its gambling operations, even if the sponsorship's financial parameters were not disclosed.

Jeter will participate in BetMGM's national advertising campaigns, attend special VIP events, and "play a key role in promoting BetMGM's responsible gambling initiatives in both the United States and Canada," according to the online casino and sportsbook.  Jeter will also appear in a commercial series called "Legendary Plays," which will premiere on Tuesday, July 15, and claims that "The Captain" has almost universal appeal among sports fans.

“As BetMGM’s brand continues to evolve, we could not think of a better baseball ambassador to add to our Mount Rushmore of legendary athletes than Derek Jeter,” added Casey Hurbis, BetMGM’s chief marketing officer.

During his 20 years in the major leagues, Jeter batted.310.  He recorded 1,311 runs batted in, 3,465 hits, and 260 home homers.

Jeter, a 14-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2000 World Series, has 3,465 hits, which puts him sixth all-time after Tris Speaker (3,514), Hank Aaron (3,771), Stan Musial (3,630), Pete Rose (4,256), and Ty Cobb (4,189).

Are Endorsements by Celebrities Important? 

Even though some people might not find it significant, many customers find that a celebrity's endorsement lends credibility to an online casino or sportsbook.  The shortstop could assist BetMGM in attracting older Millennials and Generation X gamblers, as Jeter's popularity peaked in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Even among many Mets supporters, Jeter's reputation has been overwhelmingly positive both during and after his career.  BetMGM is counting on Jeter to help the platform stand out in the competitive market as online gambling continues to develop and there are innumerable websites and apps that promote slots, table games, and sports betting.

Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC, West Virginia, and Wyoming are among the states where BetMGM Sportsbook is operational.  West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan are all served by its iGaming platform.