There are no VIP ropes anymore. On Aug. 6, 2018, the DraftKings Sportsbook app is officially open to everyone in New Jersey.
A few days after soft-launching its mobile sports betting product, which included only accepting bets from invite-only guests, DraftKings rolled out its NJ sportsbook app to the public Monday morning.
It officially became the first mobile wagering app in the NJ sports betting world.
“I am excited to begin this new chapter in our story by officially launching what I believe to be the most innovative, mobile sports betting product in the U.S.,” said DraftKings CEO and co-founder Jason Robins. “We have put immense thought and significant resources behind the development of DraftKings Sportsbook and I’m confident that sports fans in New Jersey will enjoy using it to make the experience of watching the games even more interesting and thrilling.”
Different approach to going online
For weeks, a handful of New Jersey properties have reaped the benefits of legalized sports betting in the Garden State.
Monmouth Park and Borgata both unveiled brick-and-mortar sportsbooks June 14, mere days after Gov. Phil Murphy signed off on regulated wagering.
Ocean Resort Casino joined the party upon its grand opening June 28, and Meadowlands Racetrack made it four by opening its FanDuel Sportsbook a month ago.
Yet while those traditional routes were taken, DraftKings found a side door.
Through the license of its partner, Resorts, the daily fantasy sports giant targeted a mobile sportsbook first. As a result, DraftKings created an elite group.
Sports betting going mobile
DraftKings beat to the table the likes of MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, both of which announced online betting plans last week.
MGM could launch its mobile operations this week via Borgata and the playMGM app, while the Caesars Casino & Sports app could go live in time for football season.
DraftKings’ chief DFS competitor, FanDuel, is still lagging in the mobile game. While FanDuel Group, the new American arm of Paddy Power Betfair, debuted the FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands last month, the company has remained mum on its mobile operations.
So for now, DraftKings is king in the mobile NJ sports betting market, offering a range of betting options from props to in-game wagering.