With Plenty Of Nevada Ties Already In Place, Could DraftKings Be Interested In Las Vegas Casino?

Since before DraftKings even operated a sportsbook, we’ve been monitoring its ventures in Las Vegas.

The company is unable to provide its daily fantasy sports contests in Nevada, as it lacks a gaming license. Likewise, DraftKings is not currently running a sportsbook in the Silver State.

Nonetheless, this may alter in the near future.

DraftKings making Las Vegas moves

DraftKings is persistently supporting the Las Vegas community by partnering with UNLV and inaugurating an office which will accommodate 1,000 employees in the future. These two arrangements are clearly interconnected.

At UNLV, students will be developing new gaming technology. It is conceivable that upon graduation, they could secure employment at the new DraftKings campus that is set to open in southwest Las Vegas.

DraftKings has expanded its footprint in Las Vegas, acquiring the Vegas Sports and Information Network (VSiN) last year and signing a marketing agreement with Golden Nugget. The collaboration may lead to a rebranding of the Golden Nugget sportsbook under the DraftKings name in the upcoming period.

Additionally, Derek Stevens, the owner of Circa, held a 10% stake in VSIN before it was purchased. His association with DraftKings appears to be sparking conversations about a potential rumor involving these two entities.

Is there something to DraftKings-Circa rumor?

Chris Krafcik, the Managing Director of Sports Betting and Emerging Verticals at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, recently sparked rumors on Twitter about a possible acquisition of a Nevada casino by DraftKings.

Krafcik referred to Circa Las Vegas as the casino that DraftKings was buying. However, this claim was immediately refuted by Stevens. PlayNevada attempted to get a comment from Stevens, but there has been no response so far.

Any sports-related company would understandably be interested in Circa, given its reputation. The sportsbook within the casino is touted as the world’s largest. It is considered one of the most luxurious sportsbooks in Las Vegas, if not the most luxurious. However, some still favor the traditional SuperBook at Westgate.

Stadium Swim, a rooftop pool complex that doubles as an outdoor sportsbook, is also located in Circa. This makes it not only a great place for swimming but also for sports betting. Inside Circa, you’ll find one of the two VSiN broadcast studios in Las Vegas. Although the space is owned by Circa, it’s not hard to imagine a connection between the two entities.

To be completely transparent, I also heard a similar gossip concerning the two parties at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

Expect to see sportsbooks make a mad dash for Nevada casinos

Sportsbooks functioning in other states appear to be making a frantic effort to penetrate Nevada and Las Vegas in particular. The primary obstacle for these sportsbook operators is the absence of online and mobile sports betting account registration in Nevada.

Contrary to the majority of states that have mobile betting apps, in Nevada players are required to physically visit a casino to register for a sports betting account. At the moment, the cost of creating entirely distinct systems for a small state like Nevada is prohibitive for some sportsbook operators.

That being said, major corporations such as DraftKings could stake their claim by collaborating with or acquiring a casino. It seems that DraftKings currently has the right to run the Golden Nugget sportsbook. Although the Golden Nugget is one of the top casinos in downtown Las Vegas, it does not compare to the brand new Circa hotel and casino which boasts an incredible setup for sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Casino options abound for potential incoming sportsbooks

Numerous sportsbook operators outside Nevada will ultimately aim to offer their products. Nevada boasts over 440 casinos, with approximately 30 of these located on the Vegas Strip. Since this tourist corridor is where most visitors stay while in Las Vegas, it would be logical to establish a shop in this area where the majority of guests stay and spend their time.

About 30 other casinos are scattered throughout Las Vegas, with an additional 30 located near the city. However, the challenge of entering the market is that many of these properties are owned by large casino groups.

Each of MGM Resorts, Caesars, Station Casinos and Boyd Gaming own a minimum of eight casinos in the Las Vegas region. Both MGM and Caesars operate their own nationwide sports betting brands, while Boyd has partnered with FanDuel. Station Casino stands as the sole major casino corporation without a national sportsbook brand.

Those aiming to operate sportsbooks in Las Vegas will likely have to consider locations off the strip to offer mobile and online sports betting in Nevada. This is likely to intensify once the Nevada Gaming authorities finally authorize remote account registration.

The rumor about DraftKings and Circa may be valid or not. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be shocking to see sportsbook operators pursuing partnerships with casinos located off the Las Vegas strip.