US sportsbooks pull all Russian and Belarus betting markets
DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, and PointsBet echo European operators in expressing their solidarity with Ukraine
US-based operators have begun removing all Russian and Belarusian sports betting markets from their sportsbooks amid the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine.
Under the hashtag StandWithUkraine, DraftKings confirmed in a statement on Thursday afternoon that it would cease all related markets as a gesture of solidarity with the embattled Eastern European nation.
“As of today, we will no longer offer betting on sports leagues and events in Russia and Belarus, such as the KHL,” DraftKings said.
“DraftKings has no direct commercial relationship with any Russian or Belarusian league, team, or sports organization,” the sportsbook operator added.
The KHL is the second highest-profile ice hockey league in the world behind the US NHL, and recently began the KHL playoffs.
Unconfirmed media reports have suggested that US market leader FanDuel, along with Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, and PointsBet have all removed Russian and Belarusian markets from their respective sportsbook apps as the conflict escalates.
The moves are the first public steps made by US sportsbooks to distance themselves from the devastating conflict engulfing Europe and echo actions taken by operators in Europe.
OPAP and LeoVegas have both chosen to suspend all markets, while Parimatch and bet365 have withdrawn from the Russian market completely in protest to the conflict.
The industry has also committed significant financial resources to charitable efforts.
The Entain Foundation, the non-profit arm of BetMGM parent company Entain, has donated £50,000 to provide humanitarian aid to those affected in Ukraine.
FanDuel parent company, Flutter Entertainment, has donated £250,000 to its long-term partner CARE International which is working on the ground in Ukraine, while LeoVegas Group has donated SEK500,000 (£38,636) to the International Committee of the Red Cross.