DraftKings – Page 3

June 5, 2024

Leaving on a jet plane? Man tied to Porter betting scheme busted at JFK

Banned NBA player Jontay Porter intentionally removed himself from games as a way to pay back “large gambling debts” according to a complaint filed in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. One of Porter's “co-conspirators” was arrested on Monday (3 June) and appeared in court the following day.

Long Phi Pham, also known as “Bruce,” was ordered held in custody until trial, according to a US Attorney’s Office press release. Per the NY Daily News, Pham was identified as one of the top 1% of poker players in the world at his arraignment on Tuesday.

He was arrested at JFK Airport on Monday after booking a one-way ticket to Australia. Pham is being charged with wire fraud. Pham was carrying about $92,000 in cash and cashier’s cheques, three cell phones and betting slips, according to the complaint.

Three more participants at large

Three other co-conspirators have not yet been arrested. Porter is not named in the complaint, although there is reference to a “Playe..

May 29, 2024

DraftKings and Flutter stock falls on proposed Illinois tax hike

DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment – owner of FanDuel Group – both saw their stock price decline yesterday (28 May) as the US market reacted negatively to a proposed gambling tax hike in Illinois.

Illinois lawmakers discussed the increase during a 2025 budget meeting over the weekend. While plans are yet to be approved, the potential rise has already hit leading operators including DraftKings and Flutter.

The current proposal on the table is for a graduated wagering tax structure to replace the existing 15% flat rate. This would set rates at between 20% and 40%, depending on each operator’s adjusted gaming revenue (AGR).

Licensed operators with generated AGR of $30m (£23.5m/€27.6m) a year would pay tax at 20%. However, if an operator reports more than $200m, they would face a 40% rate – some 167% more than at present. This would be the second-highest tax rate in the US behind New York at 51%.

Other boundaries include a 25% rate for AGR between $30m and $50m, 30% for AGR ranging ..

May 17, 2024

Pennsylvania gaming again breaks $500m milestone

The Pennsylvania gaming industry generated revenue of more than $500m in April but fell just short of the previous month’s record.

Some $504.6m (€464.8m/£398.1m) of revenue was recorded for the month, according to figures published by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). That was up 5.9% compared to April 2023.

The figure was down on the record $554.6m registered in March 2024. However, the figures were close on a day-by-day basis considering the extra day in March.

Pennsylvania gaming’s biggest segment stalls

Retail slots remains the biggest generator of gaming revenue, although the $205.4m was down 3.5% compared to April 2023. The number of slot machines in operation in April 2024 was 24,890 compared to 25,555 at the casinos in April 2023. Parx Casino, the state’s most popular venue, saw a 4.9% decrease to $31.6m.

Igaming slot revenue was the second biggest segment within Pennsylvania gaming at $126.0m, which was up 31.8%.

Sports betting back to growth

Igaming tables ..

May 10, 2024

DraftKings to acquire Sports IQ Analytics

DraftKings has agreed a deal to acquire Sports IQ Analytics, a business that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide software solutions to the online sports betting market.

Full details of the agreement have not been disclosed, with the acquisition having only been confirmed on LinkedIn by Sports IQ CEO Omer Dor. DraftKings has yet to comment on the news.

Based in Vancouver in Canada, Sports IQ supports companies with software for online sports betting. Solutions cover more than 12,000 events every year, offering access to hundreds of in-play markets.

“I’m excited for this next chapter in the Sports IQ Analytics journey,” Dor said. “In DraftKings, we join a team whose desire for winning and being the best matches our own.

“I feel privileged for the last six years, working alongside the incredible group of people that make the Sports IQ team. They are hardworking intelligent and passionate and I’m so excited that we get to bring our skills and energy to DraftKin..

May 2, 2024

Ohio betting revenue drops 3.8% in first month since college prop bet ban

Ohio reported total sports betting revenue of $63.8m (£51.0m/€59.6m) in March, down 3.8% on February’s total of $66.3m.

The sports betting revenue total of $63.8m in March also fell 33.1% short of the same month last year, when Ohio reported revenues of $95.3m. March 2023 was the third month after Ohio launched its sports betting market.

Ohio’s revenue drop was in spite of handle reaching $808.2m in March, significantly up from the $671.1m in bets taken in February. The NCAA Division 1 basketball tournaments are big drivers of handle in the US during the month.

The state’s March handle was also a 9.6% increase on the $737.2m in bets taken in the same month last year.

Taxable revenue stood at $64m, after $738.8m was paid out in winnings and $22.5m was written off in promotions.

Of the $808.2m in handle, online accounted for $784.8m, or 97.1% of the total. Online sports betting revenue was $62.1m, compared to $1.7m in retail.

FanDuel retains lead over DraftKings in Ohio

In terms ..

May 2, 2024

Survey: Bet365 beats out DraftKings, FanDuel among youngest US bettors

A new YouGov survey has highlighted the growing momentum among emerging sportsbooks in the US sports betting market.

The YouGov survey revealed that DraftKings and FanDuel are still capturing the most usage from older bettors. However, Bet365 is emerging as the dominant sportsbook among those aged 21-24.

It ranked as the top sportsbook for both the 21-24 and 25-34 age categories, above FanDuel and DraftKings. Some 31% of those surveyed between 21 and 24 had bet with Bet365 in the month prior to the survey.

Only 14% of the 21-24 age category were categorised as prospective bettors. Therefore, Bet365’s opportunity among the younger market looks set to grow further thanks to investment in the US. In total, 60% of sports bettors reported using Bet365 more, the most among all US sportsbooks.

Taking it slow working for Bet365

It should be noted that on its 2022-23 financial year, Bet365 posted a £61.2m loss. However, the company also posted significant revenue growth, with sports bettin..

April 4, 2024

ESPN Bet can challenge market leaders, Truist report shows

ESPN Bet could soon challenge US market leaders Draftkings and FanDuel according to Truist's nationwide survey focused on consumer preferences.

Data collected by Truist Securities analysts in their 2024 Interactive Gaming Survey shows that Penn Entertainment’s ESPN Bet gaming brand has the potential to take on the big two.

According to Truist, it is ESPN’s position as the primary app for bettors to check scores that could help its branded sports betting platform rival DraftKings and FanDuel.

Some 44% of sports fans surveyed said they checked scores on ESPN and 64% of those said they would have interest in betting integration beyond listed lines.

Of the respondents who both frequent ESPN and showed an interest in betting integration, a majority (52%) stated it was likely that ESPN Bet will become their primary wagering platform. Nearly all others (45%) stated it was possible.

Penn’s prospects of overhauling DraftKings and FanDuel

Reflecting on the results, Truist managing d..

March 28, 2024

PGAM 2024: How is the industry raising RG standards?

This year’s US Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) comes amid the first concerted backlash against gaming expansion, so how has that changed the way operators are leveraging the initiative? iGB speaks to executives from DraftKings, Betr and OpenBet to find out what these companies are doing to raise standards.

Following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, gambling fever has swept large sections of the US, with 40 jurisdictions since taking up the option to offer legal wagering.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) launched PGAM in 2003 with the aim of raising awareness on the issue. Since its inception, and particularly post-PASPA, the event has marked an important month in the calendar in the fight for responsible gambling (RG).

Chrissy Thurmond, head of RG relations at DraftKings, hails the influence of PGAM in helping the gambling industry to combat irresponsible play.

“One of the things that has been really benefic..

March 27, 2024

Leading US operators launch Responsible Online Gaming Association

Seven of North America's largest operators have joined together to launch the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) in a bid to promote responsible gaming (RG).

ROGA is aiming to promote best RG practices among the industry. BetMGM, Bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and Penn Entertainment are all collaborating.

According to the launch announcement, the companies involved represent over 85% of the legalised online sports betting and igaming industry in the US. They have pledged more than $20m (£15.8m/€18.5m) to support ROGA’s objectives over the first year of its existence.

Dr Jennifer Shatley will serve as ROGA’s executive director, tapping into her 25 years of experience within the industry and extensive work as an RG executive to facilitate widespread education on the topic.

Shatley’s work with ROGA will take place alongside her role as president of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, as well as her position as a member of t..

March 22, 2024

Defendant claims “character assassination” from DraftKings in preliminary injunction case

A former DraftKings employee has accused the company of “aggressive smearing” of his reputation in a response to attempts to block him from working with Fanatics.

Michael Hermalyn worked at DraftKings as senior vice-president of both its business development and growth departments, spending three and a half years with the company. Hermalyn then departed for Fanatics in February 2024, joining as president of VIP and head of its Los Angeles office.

DraftKings has since accused Hermalyn of stealing company secrets and soliciting customers and former colleagues.

In early February, at the request of DraftKings for a preliminary injunction, a federal judge placed a temporary order barring Hermalyn from utilising trade secrets, as well as soliciting customers or employees, in his new role.

However, Judge Julia Kobick of the United States District Court in the District of Massachusetts rejected DraftKings’ request to completely bar Hermalyn from working for Fanatics.

In response, Hermal..

February 16, 2024

DraftKings ups 2024 forecast after strong end to 2023

DraftKings has lifted its forecast for 2024 after posting positive earnings as well as soaring revenue in the final quarter of 2023.

DraftKings expects to post its first full year of positive adjusted EBITDA in 2024, with earnings of up to $510m (£405.2m/€473.7m), compared to the previously stated $450m. Revenue for 2024 is now expected to be between $4.65bn and $4.90bn from the range of $4.50bn-$4.80bn. The forecast was published in its preliminary results for 2023 and Q4 results.

Significant operating efficiencies

draftkings will acquire lottery app jackpocket for $750m, it announced on thursday

In the year to 31 December 2023, DraftKings saw revenue rise 63% to $3.7bn. Loss from operations was $789.2m, compared to $1.5bn in 2022, while negative adjusted EBITDA was $151.0m. This was significantly less than last year’s $721.8m.

During the year, DraftKings saw cost of revenue grow by 57% to $2.3bn. However, sales and marketing was flat and general and administrative expenditure de..

February 12, 2024

Barstool scores sports betting partnership with DraftKings

Barstool Sports has announced details of a new a multi-year sports betting partnership with DraftKings.

Under the agreement, DraftKings is now the official sports betting partner of Barstool. David Portnoy, the founder of Barstool, confirmed the news in a blog post shortly after Super Bowl LVIII ended last night (11 February).

The deal marks the second time that the two parties will be working together. DraftKings and Barstool were previously partnered on a marketing collaboration 10 years ago.

“I’m proud to announce Barstool has signed a multi-year monster deal with DraftKings,” Portnoy said. “We’re back to our roots. DraftKings is once again the exclusive sports betting partner of Barstool Sports. The more things change the more they stay the same.”

DraftKings is yet to comment on the announcement.

Barstool back with Portnoy

The deal comes just a few months after Portnoy took back the Barstool brand from Penn Entertainment. Penn purchased the brand in 2020 and was running spo..

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Tag: DraftKings