DraftKings is partnering up with NASCAR in the new North Carolina market. It’s a deal that puts the operator in the driver’s seat of promotions right in NASCAR’s home base; and gives DraftKings a nice boost in an emerging market.
Under the terms of the deal, which is still awaiting regulatory approval from North Carolina lawmakers,DraftKing’s will become an Authorized Gaming Operator of NASCAR. Along with its place as an authorized gaming operator, the operator has also been named NASCAR’s exclusive daily fantasy sports partner in the US and Canada.
Pairing up with a big-time sports league is always a value-add for operators like DraftKings, but pairing up with NASCAR in North Carolina is something else entirely. North Carolina is widely regarded as the birthplace of NASCAR and stock car racing as a whole. The sport has deep roots in the state and is home to some very serious NASCAR fans. That’s exactly the customer base every NC-facing operator will be chasing.
Matt Kalish, president of DraftKings North America, commented on the deal in a recent press release saying, “DraftKings and NASCAR have collaborated closely with each other over the years, sharing a like-minded commitment to enhancing the fan experience. We look forward to the next chapter in our journey together and offering our leading mobile sportsbook to fans in state of North Carolina.”
On the NASCAR side of the deal, NASCAR’s managing director, sports betting, Joe Solosky lauded the operator’s experience in the US market saying, “DraftKings has a proven track record of enhancing the fan experience across sports. We are thrilled to continue working with DraftKings to deliver NASCAR fans more engagement opportunities and bring its leading mobile sportsbook to North Carolina.”