DraftKings Casino’s iOS and Android apps could be coming soon to a download location near you.
A report mentioned that a possible standalone NJ online casino app could happen by the second quarter of 2019 and was attributed to a source outside of the Boston-based company.
DraftKings has yet to release an official announcement and did not respond to an email request for comment.
DraftKings steadily expanding in New Jersey
The news of a possible separate casino platform shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The company added blackjack to its updated NJ DraftKings Sportsbook app back in December and has slowly been increasing its iGaming offerings over the last couple of months.
In January, roulette, online slots and video poker appeared in the lobby.
But in keeping up with market leader Golden Nugget along with several other NJ gambling sites, DraftKings also announced a partnership with Evolution Gaming to offer live dealer games.
And sure enough, earlier this month, DraftKings’ online casino rolled out its live dealer.
Here is a list of the current casino games available in the DraftKings Casino lobby, all of which are available via the app or on a web browser:
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Cleopatra slots
- Wheel of Fortune slots
- Double Double Bonus Poker
- Live Dealer blackjack, roulette, baccarat, three-card poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em
More importantly, these games are producing significant returns in terms of NJ online casino revenue. DraftKings earned $2.5 million in January, according to estimates from California-based Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.
Putting that number in perspective, according to the original report, the revenue ranks up there with more established iGaming products from Harrah’s and MGM.
DraftKings DFS + sportsbook + casino = success
Keep in mind, before there were NJ sports betting and online gambling, there was daily fantasy sports.
It’s the latter that helped DraftKings establish its brand on the national level. Top competitor FanDuel followed the same route.
Both companies launched their respective online sports betting platforms last summer and have clearly dominated the field since. DraftKings was first to market with an Aug. 6 launch.
DraftKings allows users to link their sports betting and daily fantasy sports accounts together. Yes, they are separate apps, but both share a wallet and login credentials.
It’s likely the DraftKings Casino app would follow the same path.
Users already notice cross promotions within the DraftKings Sportsbook app, and it includes free sports bets for trying the casino games.
DraftKings also comes to the table with an established customer base, which is key to introducing new products.
The Caesars factor
Of course, the bigger news of the week is the partnership between Caesars Entertainment and DraftKings.
As part of the deal, Caesars gives DraftKings market access for its online gambling products (exclusive to the states where the gaming giant operates casino properties).
A future standalone DraftKings’ online casino app would, in theory, be part of that expansion.
The one thing we do know is DraftKings is not afraid to roll the dice.