Two of the biggest US sportsbooks, FanDuel and DraftKings, will make their splash into Colorado sports betting through Twin River Worldwide Holdings.
Twin River acquired three casinos in Black Hawk (pictured above), from Affinity Gaming last week and quickly made its intention clear.
“Obtaining the rights to three sports gaming licenses in Colorado will expand our footprint in the state well beyond our Arapahoe Park racetrack and off-track betting network,” said George Papanier, president and chief executive officer of Twin River.
“These newly formed partnerships with DraftKings and FanDuel allow us to provide an unmatched sports betting experience to Colorado, not only with their mobile betting access but also with an exciting DraftKings retail sportsbook location inside one of our newly acquired casinos.”
FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook typically dominates states
There’s no question that Twin River wants to attack the market quickly by announcing these partnerships.
There are four states with truly open mobile sports betting markets. Of those, DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook each lead two last month.
Indiana and West Virginia were DraftKings’ dominated states while Pennsylvania and New Jersey belonged to FanDuel in December.
Colorado could be the fifth state launch for FanDuel, which operates in all four of the previously mentioned states. It would be the sixth for DraftKings Sportsbook, which also operates in those previously mentioned plus New Hampshire.
Third Twin River license for itself
Twin River, which already operates sports betting in Delaware, Rhode Island and Mississippi, is keeping the third license for itself.
William Hill provides risk management for all three of those states.
When could Colorado sports betting launch?
Sportsbooks can legally begin taking bets in Colorado on May 1, but there’s no guarantee that state officials will be ready.
For now, Colorado’s gaming regulators are working to make sure anyone with a license is ready to go on Day One.
“The Division of Gaming is conducting prep work now to make sure all those qualified applicants who applied for a temporary license have one in place so they can begin on May 1, if they are ready,” according to a spokesperson.
