FanDuel has launched its online and mobile sportsbook in Iowa, and PointsBet is set to launch its offering in Illinois. 

FanDuel’s online offering goes live in Iowa

Iowans wanting to use FanDuel’s online and mobile offering, which has been launched in partnership with Boyd Gaming, will first have to visit one of FanDuel’s land-based sportsbooks at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque or Northwood to register in-person. This requirement is set to be lifted on 1 January 2021. 

Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel’s online and mobile sportsbook is now available in seven US states. 

PointsBet gears up for Illinois launch

Meanwhile, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has given the green light for PointsBet to launch mobile sports betting in partnership with Hawthorne Race Course, ahead of the National Football League (NFL) season. Illinois will become the 4th US state market for PointsBet.

In August, PointsBet announced a major five-year media partnership with NBC Universal, in a deal worth close to $400m USD. As official sports betting partner of NBC Sports in the US, PointsBet will gain access to over 184 million viewers, and to nearly 60 million monthly active users across digital assets. 

AYO.NEWS says:

While this is good news for FanDuel, the fact that Iowa is still requiring in-person registration until next year, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, seems insane. 

Such requirements basically defeat the point of mobile and online betting, especially in a state as vast as Iowa, where people may be required to travel for many hours to register in-person. 

As we reported earlier this week, even tiny Rhode Island, America’s smallest state, saw sports betting explode when the in-person registration requirement was dropped. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

South African horse racing betting operator Phumelela has rejected an acquisition offer by British bookies Betfred. 

As we reported last week, Betfred had made an offer worth up to ZAR925m ($54.8m) for Phumelela. It had also offered to provide a loan of up to ZAR650m to help the South African company clear its debts, and promised to protect all jobs and keep all of Phumelela’s assets together. 

However, Phumelela’s creditors have instead decided to opt for the original rescue deal from Mary Oppenheimer Daughters (MOD) – one of the company’s biggest creditors – despite the option being worth less, with creditors only guaranteed to recover a minimum of 72%, compared to the 100% under the Betfred proposal. 

AYO.NEWS says:

On the surface Betfred’s proposal clearly looked better, but we suppose MOD already being one of the company’s biggest creditors had a lot to do with the decision. However, with the COVID-19 crisis dragging on, and the very real threat of further sustained disruption to sports betting over the next few years, Betfred may well end up breathing a sigh of relief on this one! 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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SBC Summit Barcelona – Digital is set to open with two of the sports betting & gaming industry’s most influential figures, when Carsten Koerl (CEO & Founder, Sportradar) and Jason Robins (Chairman, CEO & Co-Founder, DraftKings) take part in an exclusive In Conversation session.

The theme of the event’s keynote, which is scheduled for Tuesday 8 September at 10am CEST, is The Future of Sports Betting and it will see the pair sharing their thoughts on the changing face of the industry and ideas for its future direction.  

The pair are uniquely well placed to offer insights into the industry. Koerl has built Sportradar into the world’s largest sports data, content and integrity services provider, driving the ecosystem for online and mobile sports betting and being a trusted partner to more than 1,000 companies around the globe. 

Robins has emerged as one of the key leaders in the development of the fast-growing US sports betting industry, having guided DraftKings from its roots as a DFS start-up to its current status as a Nasdaq listed digital entertainment and gaming company. 

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, said:

“What a great way to start our flagship event. I know our audience will be excited to hear from Carsten and Jason, and ready to learn from two of the industry’s leaders and biggest success stories. 

“The session will undoubtedly set the tone for what promises to be a hugely valuable four days for all attendees, with more than 275 expert speakers sharing insights on the issues shaping the future of the industry, and plenty of opportunities for people to connect and talk business.”

SBC Summit Barcelona – Digital, which takes place on 8 – 11 September 2020, is the largest ever virtual conference and exhibition for the sports betting & gaming industry.

The event platform has four main zones – Sports Betting, Casino & Gaming, Payments & Compliance, and Affiliate & Marketing – each of which features tailored conference content with input from senior industry executives, an interactive expo, a programme of skills workshops and selection of themed networking roundtables.

To join the 10,000 delegates at the event, click here to register for a free pass. 

Fantasy and sports betting operator DraftKings has entered a multi-year partnership with Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs. 

The deal makes DraftKings the official sports betting and daily fantasy partner of the MLB team, and includes a “first-of-its-kind” sportsbook at the Cub’s home stadium Wrigley Field. Apparently, online betting will also be available in the local Wrigleyville area. 

Commenting on the deal DraftKings North America co-founder and president, Matt Kalish, said: 

“This is truly a historic moment, as we are thrilled to align with the renowned Chicago Cubs franchise and iconic Wrigley Field to provide sports bettors in Chicago with a revolutionary sports betting experience.

“As two organisations that share a mutual passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we look forward to working in collaboration with the Cubs, an organisation steeped in tradition, and making our presence felt in and around Wrigleyville.”

While Chicago Cubs business operations president, Crane Kenney, added:

“DraftKings has been a great partner for a number of years and we are excited to expand this relationship as sports betting grows rapidly in Illinois.

“An increasing number of sports fans want to integrate sports betting into their game experience, and we’re excited to be one of the first to engage in developing a retail sportsbook at a professional sports venue.”

DraftKings is already present in Illinois, with a retail sportsbook at Casino Queen in East St. Louis, though the Wrigley Field sportsbook will still need to be approved by Chicago authorities before it can go ahead. 

Staying with DraftKings, yesterday it was announced that the operator had welcomed basketball legend Michael Jordan as a special advisor to its board, in return for an undisclosed equity stake in the company. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Given the profile of the Cubs and Wrigley Field, this is going to be one of the most visible sports betting partnerships in baseball, so it’s something of a coup for DraftKings. We’re curious about the online betting being available in the “surrounding Wrigleyville area” – it seems extremely localised! 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

GVC Holdings has launched a new multi-million pound program to support grassroots football in England. 

The multi-year initiative is called Pitching In and is being launched in partnership with the Trident Leagues (Isthmian, Northern Premier, and Southern Leagues), the seventh and eight tiers of the English football league system. There are currently 226 clubs in the Trident Leagues (rising to 240 next year), and 15,000 registered players. 

Each of the leagues will adopt Pitching In as their title sponsor, and will receive badly needed support from GVC at a time when they are trying to recover from the COVID-19 lockdown – which resulted in the entire 2019/20 season being declared null and void below the National League level. 

GVC says it will also be facilitating community volunteering, including linking local GVC colleagues with their local clubs, and providing responsible gambling and sports integrity education to all of the football clubs involved. 

Pitching In has a famous brand ambassador too, in the shape of former England international Stuart Pearce. The former defender has 78 caps for England, and played with non-league Wealdstone FC for more than 5 years, before moving to Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Manchester City, and West Ham United. 

Talking about the program, Pearce said:

“I am delighted to be taking up the role of ambassador for Pitching In, as I’m passionate about the importance of investing in grassroots sports and in developing young talent. I started out playing for Wealdstone FC before joining Coventry City so I understand how important funding is to the non-league game. 

“Grassroots football is facing huge challenges at the moment and many clubs are struggling to stay afloat. GVC’s Pitching In investment will help make a big difference to hundreds of clubs and thousands of players across the country.”

While GVC CEO, Shay Segev, added:

“In a world where local and grassroots sports are under increasing financial pressure, we believe our Pitching In Investment Programme will play a pivotal role in supporting the next generation of British sporting heroes.”

GVC’s existing multi-year collaboration with SportsAid is also set to become an important part of the Pitching In program. Launched in 2019, SportsAid supports 50 aspiring athletes each year across England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. 

GVC announced it was pulling out of all UK football sponsorships in 2019, and has emphasised the Pitching In initiative will not promote any of the group’s betting brands. 

AYO.NEWS says:

This is precisely the type of project that the big gambling operators need to be launching right now – helping to support struggling clubs and leagues when they need it most, giving something tangible back to the communities their customers come from, and investing in education to help reduce problem gambling and safeguard integrity. 

And, what makes it that much more effective, is that it won’t involve promoting any gambling brand, so the anti-gambling lobby can huff and puff all they want, but they can’t accuse GVC of being cynical this time. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020

Basketball legend Michael Jordan is becoming a special advisor to DraftKings’ board of directors. 

In return for providing guidance and strategic advice, Jordan is reported to be taking an equity interest in the fantasy and sports betting operator. Specifically, Jordan will be advising in the areas of product development, diversity, equity and belonging, and marketing. 

Commenting on the news DraftKings co-founder and CEO, Jason Robins, said:

“Michael Jordan is among the most important figures in sports and culture, who forever redefined the modern athlete and entrepreneur. The strategic counsel and business acumen Michael brings to our board is invaluable, and I am excited to have him join our team.”

Michael Jordan is a NBA Hall of Fame inductee, six-time NBA Finals MVP, and Chairman of Hornets Sports & Entertainment. 

Draftkings has not disclosed the value of Jordan’s equity interest in the company. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Michael Jordan has consistently proved himself a shrewd investor, so this bodes well for DraftKings! In late 2018, Jordan joined other investors in aXiomatic’s C funding round, which raised $26M. aXiomatic is the parent company of North American esports organisation Team Liquid. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020