DraftKings Sportsbook expects to take its first mobile bets in New Hampshire during the NFL playoffs after finalizing its contract with the state Monday.
DraftKings will be the only mobile and retail sports betting operator in the state, outside of games available directly through the NH Lottery. Those will be powered by Intralot, which had its contract amended to include sports betting.
“We look forward to collaborating further with the New Hampshire Lottery to bring the DraftKings experience to sports fans in the Granite State,” DraftKings’ co-founder Matt Kalish said. “Our best-in-class mobile sportsbook and several retail locations throughout the state are sure to be a hit with all types of customers as legalized sports betting continues to expand across the country.”
DraftKings won the only contract after offering the best financial package and the fastest implementation timeline, the company said. The Boston-based outfit had the best mobile and retail scores as part of the state’s request for proposal process.
The company will share 50% of revenue with the Lottery for the exclusive mobile and retail sportsbook rights.
DraftKings Sportsbook options in New Hampshire
While the DraftKings Sportsbook mobile app is expected to launch in January, retail sites will have to wait a little longer. Estimates provided to the Associated Press suggest late winter or early spring for the first physical sportsbook opening.
Six cities approved retail sportsbooks throughout the state. Towns could approve being chosen for a retail sportsbook beginning in the spring. Since New Hampshire has full mobile betting, though, retail locations will likely fall behind mobile apps in terms of handle.
Players only have to be 18 years old in New Hampshire, instead of 21 in most other states, since the NH Lottery is regulating the games.
NH sports betting moved fast
Launching this NFL season was apparently never a question for Gov. Chris Sununu, who signed the legislation into law in July. He later said he’d bet on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots this NFL season in his state.
Sununu backed off the timeline a bit in the official release, though. He said betting on Brady and the Patriots would be available in time for this year’s Super Bowl.
The Patriots are currently in first place in the AFC. That means their first game of the playoffs may not come until the weekend of Jan. 11.
