Four weeks after it launched its rolled-in DraftKings Racing product in three states, DraftKings has expanded the horse racing feature to six additional markets across the U.S. ahead of this week’s Kentucky Derby.
DraftKings announced on March 31 that it had abandoned its DK Horse standalone product and would replace it with a new horse racing product housed within its enhanced DraftKings Sports & Casino “super app”. At that time, DraftKings said it was adding three new markets for horse racing:
- Delaware
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
On April 27, the online gaming and wagering giant confirmed it had expanded DraftKings Racing to six further markets:
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Ohio
- Oregon
The new slate of six takes DraftKings’ total horse racing wagering footprint to 32 states, and adds several key new jurisdictions, including Ohio’s large sports betting market and Florida, where options for commercial operators to expand gaming are limited.
The operator will continue to roll out DraftKings Racing within its “super app” on a state-by-state basis, where available, and the operator’s press release stated that additional jurisdictions are expected to go live later this year. DK Horse will remain available as a standalone app in states where it currently operates but will be phased out as DraftKings Racing is introduced in each jurisdiction.
“DraftKings is committed to delivering the best fan experience across sports, and we’re proud to continue elevating that experience for horse racing with DraftKings Racing,” said DraftKings Director of Race and Sports Operations Johnny Avello. “DraftKings Racing is designed for speed and simplicity, offering a seamless and powerful way to engage with the sport’s biggest moments.”
DraftKings soups up ‘super app’
DraftKings said that the integrated racing product is a key step in the broader vision for its ‘super app’, wherein the operator is tying together most of its gaming verticals in one platform.
In total, DraftKings Sports & Casino now offers:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- DraftKings Casino
- DraftKings Predictions
- DraftKings Racing
- Jackpocket digital lottery
The availability of the various products depends on state regulations and laws, but the app essentially allows DraftKings to provide sports nationwide either through the state-regulated Sportsbook product or the federally overseen event contracts that its Predictions product offers.
DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports games continue to be offered separately.
By integrating horse racing directly into the DraftKings Sportsbook app, customers can wager across sports in one place — creating a more connected and streamlined experience,” added Avello.
DraftKings running $1M Kentucky Derby promo
The expansion of the Racing product comes in time for the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
DraftKings is offering a $1m “King of the Track” promotion across both DraftKings Racing and DK Horse, depending on where each product is available. Customers can opt in to place a qualifying bet on the horse they think will win. Winning bettors will get a share of a $1m cash prize pool.
