New York sports betting regulators will meet with one of DraftKings Sportsbook’s co-founders this week over an insensitive 9/11 promotion.
The meeting is at the request of DraftKings. Matt Kalish requested a Friday meeting with NYS Gaming Commissioner chair Brian O’Dwyer and executive director Rob Williams.
“I am happy to report that I am meeting with our executive director on Friday, (along) with Matt Kalish, the head of DraftKings, in our Schenectady office at his request,” O’Dwyer said Tuesday. “So we can establish a genuine dialogue to ensure that this improper and disgusting advertising does not repeat itself.”
DraftKings faced quick scrutiny
DraftKings’ 9/11 parlay quickly drew intense scrutiny, and was eventually taken down, with the operator apologizing.
“We sincerely apologize for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11,” said a tweet from the @DraftKingsNews account. “We respect the significance of this day for our country and especially for the families of those who were directly affected.”
The New York sports betting regulator at the time called it “reprehensible” through a spokesperson.
The company posted a “Never Forget” parlay, which had the Mets, Yankees and Jets all winning. The parlay was eventually pulled down after a few hours being live.
NY regulator on insensitive promo
O’Dwyer spoke at length about the insensitive promotion.
“All of us who read (the 9/11 parlay) were appalled by the promotion,” O’Dwyer said. “And our staff issued a statement calling it reprehensible. In response, I had the staff write to DraftKings to ask for assurances that this type of behavior, which was reprehensible, would not be repeated.
“Of course, good taste cannot be legislated or regulated. But I was concerned that there was not a valid filtering process in place, especially given the (advertising) regulations that we have established today.”
