DraftKings has set up two new retail sportsbook locations – a permanent sportsbook at Casino Queen in East St Louis, Illinois, and a temporary sportsbook at the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in Louisiana – both in collaboration with CQ Holding Company Inc.
The 6,000-square-foot permanent DraftKings sportsbook at Casino Queen will be officially opened on March 29.
Steps away from the casino floor, the sportsbook features a 60-foot video wall, 31 high-definition televisions, dining and drinking, lounge-style seating options, private booths, stadium seating, VIP areas, and 38 kiosks for customers to place wagers.
Terry Downey, President and CEO of CQ Holding Company, commented: “With this comprehensive renovation, we are introducing a new era of sports betting, sports viewing, and overall entertainment at DraftKings at Casino Queen.
“Our relationship with DraftKings has allowed us to create an all-encompassing, state-of-the-art space that will continue to add to Illinois’ excitement for sports wagering.”
Michael Kibort, Sr Director of Retail Sportsbooks at DraftKings, said: “It’s exciting to see our shared vision of bringing DraftKings’ innovative mobile app to life with an incredible in-person experience at the new DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook.
“Through the amazing support of, and collaboration with, Casino Queen, we have created a premier destination for guests to enjoy for years to come.”
DraftKings has also opened a temporary sportsbook at the Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, with construction on a permanent sportsbook already underway.
The temporary sportsbook includes 20 self-service kiosks and three over-the-counter sports betting ticket cages.
Meanwhile, ground has already been broken on the permanent sportsbook, as part of Hollywood Casino’s 38,000-square-foot expansion project with plans to move the casino operations to land and increase its footprint to 100,000 square feet of space. The permanent sportsbook is expected to be unveiled in 2023.
Downey stated: “The temporary DraftKings Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge will provide customers with new, exciting ways to enjoy this historic property, and we’re thrilled our expanded DraftKings partnership will offer guests their premier sports betting technology.
“We believe this temporary DraftKings Sportsbook space will lay the foundation for one of the most engaging sports viewing environments, which will be further elevated upon the opening of the proposed permanent DraftKings Sportsbook next year.”
Kibort added: “We’re excited to expand our DraftKings footprint in Louisiana, showcasing our commitment to the region with the opening of our second retail sportsbook space.
“Through our collaboration with CQ Holding Company Inc and Hollywood Casino, we look forward to revolutionizing the sports betting experience while providing sports fans with an outstanding entertainment facility in Baton Rouge.”
