DraftKings CEO Gives Prediction For Nationwide Online Sports Betting

• DraftKings has operational sportsbooks in three states but is ready for expansion.
• Through a deal with Penn National Gaming, DraftKings will launch mobile betting in many states.
• CEO of DraftKings, Jason Robins, predicts two-thirds of the country will have mobile betting in seven years.

BOSTON – Always set to be compared to FanDuel Sportsbook, the only real daily fantasy competitor, DraftKings, is also looking to make their mark in the sports betting world.

DraftKings is currently active in three states (New Jersey, New York, and Mississippi) but is set to expand into many more in the near future.

Of the three states above, only New Jersey allows for mobile betting, which has proven to be the route the majority of bettors take. In the Garden State, over 80% of all betting action occurs through online portals like the DraftKings Sportsbook associated with Resorts Casino.

Still, the growing sports betting giant has brick and mortar sportsbooks in New York (del Lago Resort) and Mississippi (Scarlett Pearl Casino). However, their goal is to work to state legislators in order to advance mobile betting and make their presence in the respective state known.

DraftKings already has deals in place with some states that have legalized sports betting as well as in those that are considering legalizing the activity. In West Virginia, they are paired with Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and though the state has approved online wagering, DraftKings has yet to launch their product.

The gaming company has bigger fish to fry, though. Just last month, DraftKings and Penn National agreed to a strategic partnership spanning the course of ten years, with the ability to extend the contract for an additional ten years.

In the partnership, DraftKings would receive access to the first “skins” available in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri. Additionally, they would become the second “skin” in West Virginia and third in Indiana for Penn National Gaming properties.

“That’s the goal. We want to be national,” said Jason Robins, CEO of DraftKings, in an interview with Mike Francesa. “I think somewhere in the five- to seven-year time frame, you’ll see at least two-thirds of the country with live online sports betting.”

Robins went on to explain how the process is slower than businesses would hope, but it is to be expected when talking about “the democratic process”.

“Everybody’s got different ideas and one of the nice things about state-by-state is you get to look at how different ideas play out,” said Robins.

DraftKings is expected to open four more sportsbooks during the NFL betting season, in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Iowa.

News tags: del Lago Resort | DraftKings Sportsbook | FanDuel Sportsbook | Florida | Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races | Indiana | Iowa | Jason Robins | Mike Francesa | Mississippi | Missouri | New Jersey | New York | NFL | Ohio | Penn National Gaming | Pennsylvania | Scarlett Pearl Casino | Texas | West Virginia