DraftKings announced Monday that it expanded DraftKings Racing to six new states ahead of the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
Key Takeaways
- DraftKings Racing operates under different regulations than the company’s sportsbook.
- Six new states can access the markets, with plans for more before the end of 2026.
- Customers can win a share of $1 million by betting on the winner of the Kentucky Derby.
DraftKings Racing can now take bets in Florida, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Oregon. The product, formerly known as DK Horse, initially launched in Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Mexico in March.
Fans of horse racing will find pari-mutuel betting markets at a variety of live events, including the famed Kentucky Derby. DraftKings Racing is now embedded in the main sportsbook app, unlike the standalone DK Horse app, as the company continues to move toward a fully blended “super app.”
“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,” Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations, said in a statement. “DraftKings Racing is designed for speed and simplicity, offering a seamless and powerful way to engage with the sport’s biggest moments.
“By integrating horse racing directly into the DraftKings Sportsbook app, customers can wager across sports in one place with a shared wallet - creating a more connected and streamlined experience.”
The new racing product will continue to expand on a state-by-state basis. More states are expected to be live before the end of the year.
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$1M up for grabs
To celebrate the imminent arrival of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, DraftKings is offering a King of the Track promotion for both DraftKings Racing and DK Horse users.
The new offer allows customers to claim a share of a $1-million prize pool. Users just need to opt in and correctly place a qualifying wager on the horse they believe will win the Kentucky Derby.
Unlike many sportsbook promotions that pay customers in bonus bets, King of the Track winners will receive their share in cash.
While DraftKings Racing is available within the DraftKings Sportsbook app, it exists under a different set of regulations, which is why its availability differs from the sportsbook platform. Rhode Island is an example of a state where racing options are available but full-fledged sports betting is not.
Customers in states where both DraftKings Racing and the sportsbook are live can wager with funds from unified accounts and wallets.
Building out the super app
DraftKings announced in March it planned to release its “super app” with most of its offerings and products in one unified home. That includes sportsbook, online casino, lottery, predictions, and now, horse racing.
The goal of the combined app is to increase cross-promotion and interaction with the company’s products. DraftKings estimated the app will generate $55 billion to $80 billion by 2030, coming off a year in which it generated more than $6 billion, a 27% year-over-year increase.
