The daily fantasy provider turned sports betting giant has inked an agreement with the Drone Racing League.
The US sports betting giant DraftKings has announced a sports betting partnership with the Drone Racing League (DRL).
What the deal covers
With this deal, DraftKings will become an official sports betting partner of the DRL and the operator will gain access to exclusive marketing rights for sports betting.
DraftKings will also have the ability to integrate the DRL’s brand into its marketing.
The daily fantasy provider turned sportsbook operator will host “pre-flight shows” with the DRL prior to live events which will see expert bettors and drone pilots educate viewers on drone racing.
This deal will also make the Drone Racing League the first aerial sports event which fans can legally bet on in the US. In states where the sport is approved, bettors can palace pre-race and in-play wagers.
At the time of writing, Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee and West Virginia have approved mobile betting on DRL events. Betting on the sport is pending regulatory approval in several other US states.
DRL President Rachel Jacobson: “The sky is now the limit for DRL fans to get skin in the game, and we’re thrilled to partner with DraftKings to transform our high-speed race competition into the ultimate sport to bet on.
“The opportunity for us to elevate our engagement through all forms of gaming and gambling will only increase as mobile betting becomes more adopted across the country.”
Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer at DraftKings, said: “DRL is scaling their business as fast as their drone races, and we’re excited to be flying with them given DRL’s thrilling, innovative racing events are perfect for the customized wagering offerings we can create.
“Our expertise in sports betting combined with DRL’s stats-packed competition will make this a fun and seamless opportunity to engage their avid audience along with tech-savvy, adrenaline-loving sports fans.”
Another move for DraftKings
This partnership marks the US betting operator’s latest agreement in the US gambling space in 2021 and builds upon several big plays made by the operator last year.
In December, DraftKings announced it had partnered with InComm Payments to launch the industry’s first-ever retail gift card. The DraftKings gift cards are available in $25 and $50 denominations.
During the same month, DraftKings also announced it had secured market access into the state of Connecticut via an agreement with Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, operator of Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Once the state regulates the activity, DraftKings will be able to launch online and land-based sports betting in Connecticut.