The sports betting operator, DraftKings has made a move into Colorado’s sports betting market via a partnership deal with Twin River Worldwide, the renowned casino operator.
The deal allows DraftKings to roll out mobile and online sports betting services in the state and open a new retail sportsbook at Twin River Mardi Gras Casino in Black Hawk.
Last week, Twin River completed the purchase of Mardi Gras Casino. It also bought two other Colorado properties – Golden Gates and Golden Gulch.
The president and chief executive of Twin River, George Papanier said that completing the acquisition of Golden Gates, Golden Gulch and Mardi Gras casinos last week included the right to three sports gaming licenses in Colorado.
“This will really allow us to expand our footprint here well beyond our Arapahoe Park racetrack and Off-Track Betting network,” he said.
Papanier also said that the group was excited with the newly-formed partnership with DraftKings that would allow it to bring sports betting to the greater Denver area – not only with mobile betting access but also with an exciting retail sportbook location inside the newly acquired casino.
According to the chief business officer of DraftKings, the online sports betting and daily fantasy sports operator is committed to providing states across the country with “the ultimate experience in legal sports betting.”
Ezra Kucharz pointed out that Twin River promises to provide exciting, real-time gaming opportunities and DraftKings looks forward to working with them to introduce Colorado sports fans to an award-winning product.
The deal between Twin River and DraftKings is not an exclusive one however. It was reported that Twin River and Fan Duel have signed a similar deal, although their smaller partnership only involves the roll-out of a mobile app in the state.
Of the four states in the US that have open mobile sports betting markets (Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey), Fan Duel and DraftKings each dominate two. With Colorado becoming the next state thrown in the mix, DraftKings will obtain a slight advantage over its industry rival, Fan Duel.
