DraftKings is making its first foray into a trio of states with a refreshed product and an expanded footprint.
Key Takeaways
- DraftKings has rebranded DK Horse to DraftKings Racing and integrated the product directly into its main sportsbook app.
- The launch includes expansion into three new states: Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Mexico.
- The Rhode Island entry comes amid potential changes to the state’s sports betting model as its current monopoly faces possible expansion.
In a Tuesday release, DraftKings announced its branded DraftKings Racing, formerly known as DK Horse, with the app appearing directly within the DraftKings Sportsbook App.
The rebrand comes with the Kentucky Derby just over a month away.
“With Triple Crown season approaching, we’re bringing DraftKings Racing to three new states at the perfect time to deliver an unmatched horse racing experience,” Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at DraftKings, said via release. “By offering horse racing directly within the DraftKings Sportsbook app, we’re making it more convenient for customers to enjoy racing alongside their other favorite sports.”
The move away from DK Horse signals the end of a separate DraftKings app, with the previous offering serving as a white-label affiliate of Churchill Downs’ TwinSpires.
In addition, the rebrand also integrates the racing app with DraftKings existing wallet functionality, allowing for the integration of other promotions within the app.
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DraftKings entering new states
With the DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino integration, the expansion also comes with brand new states previously not able to access DraftKings products: Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Mexico.
The move into Rhode Island is of particular interest, given news in late 2025 of changes potentially on the horizon within The Ocean State.
“(The) Lottery is moving ahead with its examination of whether adding more apps is feasible,” Rhode Island Lottery spokesperson Paul Grimaldi told the Rhode Island Current back in November regarding the potential expansion from the state’s existing monopoly.
Currently, International Game Technology maintains the state’s exclusive rights to sports betting operations, though its rights expire in November 2026. As such, IGT’s Sportsbook RI app, which has struggled at times, including going offline during the NFL’s first Sunday for over an hour, could be done away with.
Among the confirmed operators that responded to the Rhode Island Lottery’s Request for Information were giants such as Bally’s BetMGM, Fanatics, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
