DraftKings to launch in Australia
Boston-based DFS firm plans to go live in Q2 after receiving a state license
DraftKings has announced plans to launch its DFS product in Australia in Q2 after receiving a licence from the Northern Territory Racing Commission.
Australia marks the eighth country where DraftKings is active, and the first outside Europe and North America.
In a press release, the Massachusetts-based firm cited an article projecting approximately 1.65 million traditional fantasy sports players in Australia.
“Within the last few years, Australia’s burgeoning fantasy sports market has dramatically evolved, adding a variety of daily fantasy sports platforms, feeding the appetite of the many passionate sports fans who love getting closer to the teams, athletes and sports they love,’” said DraftKings CEO Jason Robins.
“Australia is an important market for DraftKings, as it combines devoted sports fans with sophisticated, tech-savvy consumers – exactly the kind of people who love competing on DraftKings.”
@DraftKings are delighted today to announce we have received a licence from the NTRC, and plan to launch into Australia very soon. #DFSAustralia #DFSWorld https://t.co/DPjFdtsmUx
— Jeffrey Haas (@TatsuTweets) April 17, 2018
The news comes one day after Yahoo confirmed plans to withdraw its DFS products from the UK, following FanDuel from the market, and highlighting the differing approaches to international expansion at the major US DFS firms.
"The rest of the daily fantasy sports industry — at least as it is situated in North America — is unwilling or unable to match @DraftKings global aspirations."
via @DustinGouker @LSPReport https://t.co/5ir6mf370q— DraftKings News (@DraftKingsNews) April 17, 2018
The Australia launch continues a period of evolution at DraftKings, with the firm’s expansion into sports betting still ongoing.
Eilers & Krejcik said in a note last week that the company is close to inking a deal with a casino partner that would see DraftKings act as an omni-channel provider.
The note added: “That raises the immediate question of who DraftKings will partner with to actually provide the tech to power a land-based and mobile sportsbook, as there’s nothing in the company’s known arsenal that could credibly serve as a sports betting solution.”