DraftKings hails importance of product as it launches “differentiated” sportsbook
DFS operator wins race to be first to market with a Kambi-powered New Jersey online sportsbook
DraftKings has hailed the importance of a differentiated product after soft-launching its sportsbook product in New Jersey last night.
The DFS firm became the first operator to launch a betting app in the market with the product now available for invited customers to trial.
DraftKings and licensing partner Resorts also received official approval from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) to launch the product on Wednesday.
DraftKings’s co-founder, Matt Kalish, told EGR product was “immensely important” in sports betting and would be a “key differentiator for us entering the market as a relative newcomer”.
The app has several unique features, including a landing page ‘carousel’ that suggests bets to punters based on their betting and DFS history.
Betting accounts are linked to DFS accounts, so if a player has built a fantasy team around Yankee hitters, he may be offered a bet on the Yankees team total.
“DraftKings is first and foremost a technology company, we have a very modern technology stack what allows us to quickly and continuously innovate on new and existing product offerings,” Kalish said.
“We have been preparing since summer 2017 to launch a mobile sports betting platform, and plan to stand out from the competition by using data science and machine learning to create a personalized experience for our customers.”
The book will also offer props around players’ total DraftKings points.
Sounds like these props could have $5-10 limits as the traders and regulator get comfortable with it https://t.co/L6vBm0ZYU6
— Brad Allen (@BradAllenNFL) August 2, 2018
EGR understands the DGE is running a five-day ‘soft play’ period for all new online sportsbooks to ensure they are working properly and following the correct processes.
This limits concurrent users during the period to 500 initially, and rising as the days go on.
The DraftKings product is expected to be fully live by next week.
The back-end and trading part of the sportsbook will come from Kambi, who hailed a historic day for US online gambling.
Kristian Nylen, Kambi CEO, said: “Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Kambi, creating history with our partner DraftKings by processing the first online wager outside of Nevada following the repeal of PASPA.
“To be the first sports betting supplier to receive a Transactional Waiver to operate online in New Jersey only strengthens our position as the secure and quality choice for operators seeking a sportsbook partner.”
